Live Boating: Stanley Moss Aqueduct to Froghall

Tuesday 23 April

A rather chilly start this morning compared with the last few days, but it did warm up by lunchtime. We set off at 9.00 and made our way through the peaceful countryside to the Hazelhurst Locks. We passed through the locks very efficiently as the first was set for us by someone from a boat coming the other way, we crossed with their boat (nb Galatea) and were able to go straight into the second lock and the third just needed topping up where it had leaked. Someone has been very liberal with a grease pot on the paddles at these locks.

The Leek Arm goes over the main Caldon Canal

Then under the aqueduct which carries the Leek Arm over the main Caldon. The countryside around here is lovely – open fields, woodlands and views over to the Leek Arm. We waved at nb Galatea across the Churnet valley.

We had hoped to visit Cheddleton Flint Mill, but it is only open at weekends, so we carried on down the two Cheddleton locks – both again set in our favour.

Churnet Valley Railway

Churnet Valley Railway runs close to the canal here, but again it is only open at weekends though volunteers were to be seen on the site. A diesel engine did go past us and return later pulling a series of empty carriages, no doubt getting ready for next weekend.

At Wood’s Lock we were waved through by a man wearing a T shirt proclaiming he is “Rob – volunteer lock keeper” – not sure how official he is, but we gladly accepted his help.

Below Oakmeadow Ford Lock (another one more or less ready for us) the canal merges with the River Churnet and they run in the same channel for about a mile before the Churnet races off leaving the canal to wander more slowly to Flint Lock, the last lock before Froghall.

River Churnet joining from left.

River Churnet leaving right.

The tunnel at Froghall is very low and not all boats can get through. There is a gauge at Flint Lock to help you decide whether your boat will fit.

Will it fit?

Probably not.

Having decided not to attempt the tunnel (as Steve said, the back half would be fine, but probably not the front half!), we descended the lock and made our way to the winding hole before the tunnel. Some stretches of this part of the canal are very narrow, but as we didn’t meet anything coming the other way, it didn’t matter. Having turned round in the winding hole we moored up and had lunch.

Later in the afternoon we walked to Froghall Wharf and Basin to have a look at what used to be a hive of activity as limestone was brought down from nearby quarries and either loaded in blocks onto narrowboats or loaded as quicklime, produced when the limestone was burnt in the limekilns. We walked up the track of the tramway which carried the limestone and then out into the countryside above the valley – a very pleasant walk.