Leek (nearly) to Milton

Thursday 25 April

A much cooler morning – just as well that Stephen had lit the stove yesterday evening. Before leaving we walked to the end of the canal, the bit we couldn’t boat to. The end of the canal is rather underwhelming – it is a shame that it no longer goes right into Leek. No hope of a restoration as there is a large industrial estate built all over the old course.

End of the line - just a feeder channel at the end.

We got under way soon after 9.30 and retraced our tracks (not sure that’s the right word for a boat!) along the Leek Arm to Hazelhurst Junction and then onto the main Caldon Canal. 

Bridges over Leek Arm and main Caldon Canal.

Goose sitting at the junction.

Nearly all today’s locks were in our favour so we made good progress and moored up after Engine Lock at 1.15. We had lunch and were thinking of walking into the village of Milton when it started to rain and hail, so we changed our minds, though we did go later in the afternoon. We noticed again how quiet this canal is, we only saw one moving boat all day.

Locks 6  Miles 7.00                                               Total Locks 68  Total Miles 99.50