Stoke on Trent Monday 7th September
We did not move yesterday as we were meeting up with ‘Half Past Four’ and of course, Sid and Joyce. Usually, they have travelled by car to the Barlaston moorings to meet us; this was a first boat to boat encounter. Myra and Sid had a mutual squeeze session on Half Past Four whilst Joyce and I had an intellectual one on Martlet.
All together once more on Martlet, a small libation of amber liquid was dispensed to all that were desirous of same – well, Sid and I anyway.
Today, approaching Stoke, we noticed that the dreaded Blue/Green algae was attempting a takeover. It was particularly bad below Stoke bottom lock.
The flats close to Twyford lock have lost their new appearance, whilst maintaining their total dominance of the two bottle kilns retained between the blocks. I suppose that is better than their removal, but only just.
A passing boater told us that the Stoke single cell creatures had been busy and had managed to drain the pound below the top lock. This follows the draining of the long pound from the bottom lock to Trentham last week. Perhaps the installation of anti vandal gear is now required in this area. Hopefully should it be so fitted, it would be of the BW key and spring hasp type.
The Doulton seconds shop received our undivided attention for a while this morning.
As part of my insatiable desire for knowledge, I began to examine carefully the labels on the items. Royal Doulton, England was the wording on the box. The labels on the items had the words ‘made in the Czech republic’ at the bottom. I had not realised that the Czech republic had a royal family; it just goes to show how educational a visit to the shops can be. Spurred on by this discovery, I found that some Royal Albert items were made in Germany (relations of the Prince no doubt); some glassware also from the Czech republic. Whatever next; they will be telling me that Kellogs Corn Flakes and Heinz were American!
We listened to an interesting one sided conversation of his experience from the steerer of a shared ownership boat; fortunately, we have met and chatted to a lot that do know what they are doing. We will not generalize and will not lump him in with them.
2009 Totals: 486 Locks – 887.5 miles – 35 Bus pass uses.
