Froghall to Leek (nearly)

Wednesday 24 April

We made a slightly earlier start today as the weather forecast for later on is not good. So we set off at 8.15 and repeated yesterday’s journey in the other direction. One difference was that all the locks were against us and we had to work them all ourselves (except for Wood’s Lock where Rob was on duty again). As we got to Cheddleton Flint Mill, we realised it was open – it seems that they open at weekends and any other day that they can get volunteers to staff it. So we had a conducted tour of a very interesting set of buildings. (Google it for more info.)

Waterwheels at Cheddleton Flint Mill

The granddaughter of the last Cheddleton miller was born in the cottage on the left. When she married, she moved to the house on the right where she still lives, aged 99.

After getting back to the junction of the main line and the Leek arm, we made a rather tight turn onto the Leek arm. We had lunch on the move and enjoyed the journey along this quiet canal. We have seen some lovely displays of wild flowers as we have travelled along, including bluebells, kingcups and wood anemones, but the display of bluebells today was especially good.

We were able to go through the tunnel on today’s stretch of canal without any problem, so on we went on until we reached the sign that said “Boats longer than 45 feet should turn round here”. As our boat is 58’ long, we did as were told and turned round – shorter boats can go a little further along the canal before having to turn. Having turned round we moored up and decided to go shopping. 

So far there had only been a brief shower of rain, but more was promised so we went prepared with waterproofs and a brolly. We did get slightly wet going to Morrison’s but by the time we’d done the shopping and had a coffee, the sun was shining again. However as we were returning to the boat we heard thunder and we had just got inside when there was a very heavy shower. The evening continued with showers and a cool wind.

Locks 8  Miles 9.00                                               Total Locks 62  Total Miles 92.50