Willoughbytes

Our third week with Willoughby began in early November and various navigation closures and logistics meant our chosen route was the Caldon Canal. For this trip we had the pleasure of the company of two long term friends, who in the past had generously offered us hospitality on their own boat. It was nice to be able to return their kindness. Our friends were joining us on the Saturday so we used Friday to get the boat nice and warm and to get the main shopping purchased. We spent that night in the marina in a very heavy rainstorm which added a little anxiety for our prospects for the following week. Here are a couple of night time views to give an idea of the weather.

Luckily Saturday was much drier and on collecting our friends we set off for the Caldon. Negotiating the small staircase locks was straightforward and we entered the Caldon planning on visiting the Leek branch first. A great deal of “urban renewal” is taking place in Stoke as many old industrial sites are bulldozed just leaving a few poignant reminders of the Potteries’ heritage

Not all is lost however, the canal takes you past a pottery that is still working but one wonders for how long it can continue against Far East competition.

A very pleasant break in the industrial and urban landscape is Shelton Park with a number of attractive bridges and mooring rings. A perfect place for a lunch stop.

Once out of Stoke the countryside opens and the true charm of this canal is revealed. As a first time visitor I was quite taken aback - I was not expecting such an attractive area. On taking the Leek arm the canal crosses the main line via the Hazelhurst Aqueduct:

Just before the aqueduct at bridge 3 there is an interesting piece of canal architecture and a very interesting turn in a strong wind !!

The guides point out that the Caldon is very shallow at times and in the following picture you can see the visible trail left by Willoughby even when travelling down the centre line of the cutting.

I talked earlier about the charm of this canal and the following two images show how attractive the Leek Arm can be even in very late Autumn.

At the end of the arm is the short, 130yd Leek Tunnel. Going through we winded after bridge 9 before the terminus.

We then returned and passing through the 3 Hazelhurst locks travelled up the Froghall main line. Again some superb contryside to cruise through as can be seen from the following views.

The very short days meant that after mooring for the evening I went “hunting” for that elusive sunset shot.

It was always nice, when you had walked a bit too far, to see Willoughby’s cabin glowing cheerfully with the promise of a warm cosy cabin to thaw out in.

We continued on to Consall Forge and winded here as there was no wind, no passing boats and the river flow was slow.The rebuilt lime kilns were quite spectacular - But as one of our party remarked, even in the industrial boom of the mid-1800’s British management could still take its eye off the ball and condemn many poorly paid workers to penury.

Whilst we were feeling the cold a little we were passed by this group of guys who seemed impervious to the lower temperatures.

A major landmark on the canal is the old Asylum, St. Edwards Hospital. It looms over the woodland in quite a menacing manner and would, I feel, strike fear into any luckless soul driven through its gates.

On this return trip was the highlight of the week!! - It was one of our party’s 65th birthday and we had been invited to a celebratory dinner at the famous Callow Hall (www.callowhall.co.uk) . This hotel is situated at the begining of the Peak District National Park in Ashbourne. We moored at bridge 38 where a taxi had been arranged to take us on the very exiting route from Denford to Ashbourne across the moor.

The evening was absolutely superb - There is nothing finer in my view than excellent food, wonderful wine and the company of very special friends - It was an evening to remember for a very long time.

And so our return to Etruria. Our friends had to leave early so we joined the Ownerships flotilla on the Thursday and left late on the Friday as there was no handover for the following week. We were on hand to see the launch of nb “Senior Moment” as it was swung onto the water via two synchronised mobile cranes - Quite a smooth operation !!