Heading to the Macclesfield Canal

We made our way into Stoke on Trent amidst a crystal clear blue sky this morning past this huge factory. Not sure what it is though!

Alongside

Stoke on Trent was once the centre of the pottery industry in this country and to some extent, still is. In its hay day there were some 2000 bottle kilns in the area but sadly today, only 47 remain.

At the top of the Stoke flight of locks is Etruria Junction of the Trent and Mersey and Caldon canals. Here is housed  the Etruria Industrial Museum and Heritage Centre on a seven acre site. Jessie Shirley;s bone and flint mill is a scheduled ancient monument that was opened in 1857 and is the only remaining steam driven potters mill in the world! The 1820's Boulton and Watt steam engine is firedup on occasions to work the machinery in the mill to produce bone china.

Times in the past when we have motored through Middleport, it has not been convenient to stop and have a look at the pottery there. Today we did. What a fascinating place it is to visit. Guides take through all the traditional processes that were used and indeed, today it is still a thriving pottery. Although it was open today it was not functioning as it is "Potter Fortnight" in Stoke at the moment and all the workers are on holiday.

Dianne taking an order on the ancient telephone!

Our boat through the potter's window

In order to get up onto the Macclesfield canal we had to pass through the 2926 yard (1.7 mile) long tunnel. There are no air shafts leading up to the surface in this tunnel so as soon as you enter the southern portal, the doors are closed behind you and a ginormous fan is set in motion in order to extract the engine exhaust fumes.

 

One of the many drains.

The colour is caused by the local ironstone strata.

 

Stalactites on the roof 

 

Has he lost his boat?

Spotted 475yds from the exit

The North portal showing the colour of the water

 

On entering the Macclesfield canal at Hardings Wood junction we had to cross the Trent and Mersey canal high up on an aqueduct.

Almost immediately we encountered a Canadian family in trouble with their hire boat. The rudder post had come out of its lower socket rendering the boat unsteerable. Keith hopped on board and sorted and also pointed out that the holding down screw on the weed hatch was stripped and was not doing its job. He advised them to contact the hire company and they simply said that if you can steer and there is no water coming in, then continue with your holiday! Not good advice I think.
Tonight we are moored in yet another peaceful spot ready for the cycle climb up to Mow Cop in the morning.