Back at Etruria

Awkward obstruction in canal

Objet d'art by the side of a lock

Denise operating lift bridge

First ducklings of the year

A longish trip today - returning from the Leek Branch through the outskirts of Stoke on Trent to the good moorings at Etruria outside the Industrial Museum. Total distance 10 miles with 9 locks, 3 lift bridges and a journey time of 5.5 hours.

We found that one of the locks has been fitted with ant-vandal locks since we passed through a week ago. We had heard from other boaters that the dear little local kids have taken to openning the lock paddles overnight and draining the canal. We have met the anti vandal locks in other less salubrious parts of the canal system but they are an unwelcome innovation to the Stoke area.