Spring Cruise Day 9 – Stone to Great Haywood

Sunday 31st May 2015

Heavy rain woke us this morning, and a fair few boats were on their way as we breakfasted and prepared for the final leg back home.

However the rain soon eased off, and the flurry of departures from Stone abated, and we were soon under way. At Aston Lock a boat was ascending, and another was waiting to go down. The latter helpfully moved up on the lock landing so that we could pull in behind, and Anne went to join the throng of helpers at the lock. It transpired that there had been a delay due to an elderly couple who had hired a very long boat for their first ‘go’, and were struggling to control it between them. Theta ahead of us advised that we were in for an interesting day, as they were just pulling into the Marina.

Before long we had worked our way through the lock, assisted by the crew from another boat that had arrived to come up, and Anne went below to brew up. As we were approaching the exit to the Marina, a boat steamed out in front of us at full speed, and without a single glance in our direction. I had to slow down hastily, and spent the next few minutes mentally imagining various ways in which I could get my revenge. However, the serenity of the canals soon bled through, and instead I decided that we would pull in for an early lunch, and let the other boat get well out of our way. We pulled in at a favourite spot at Burston, and Anne  put the dinner in the oven.

Trent and Mersey Canal, Spring 2015

We had a leisurely couple of hours and a delicious Sunday dinner, but all too soon it was time to be on the move again. We timed our arrival at Sandon Lock perfectly, just as a boat was coming out, and so were were able to drive straight in.

Then we were passing through Weston, where the visitor moorings were crammed full, and before long we were rounding the bend towards Weston Lock. In the distance we could see a very long hire boat reversing into the offside. As we approached, we were waved through to use the lock first. I asked the couple on board if they needed any help, but they said that they were just fine! The wind on that bend was very strong, and I struggled to hold City of Durham to the side while Anne prepared the lock. The hirers seemed content to be pinned to the offside for now. Another boat arrived as I entered the lock, and the hire boat pulled in behind them, but was soon blown diagonally across the canal. I didn’t get to see what happened next, as our boat descended in the lock. I can only hope they managed to get sorted safely!

Everything including the kitchen sink!

We continued on to Hoo Mill lock, and worked our way through without problems, but the wind was definitely picking up, and I began to worry about the Marina Manoeuvres that were about to challenge us as we tried to get back onto our berth.

In the event it all went pretty smoothly, although the wind cancelled out my spin to reverse on to the pontoon. Fortunately, the instructions I had been given on how to ‘spring’ the bow around were remembered, and we were soon tied up safely.

This has been a really enjoyable, and somewhat different trip, encompassing the urban canals of Stoke on Trent, plus the breathtaking beauty of the rural parts of the Caldon Canal. We will return, as Froghall Tunnel is still on our to do list!

Miles: 9

Locks: 4

Hours: 4