Densie goes over the top

Stocton Brook Top Lock - Highest point on the Caldon

Continuing on the Caldon we have climbed over the watershed between the Trent valley where the streams flow west and the Churnet valley which flows eastward. The summit pound is at a height of 484 feet above sea level. Beyond the summit we dropped through the Hazelhurst locks and moored outside a large popular pub - the Hollybush.

After mooring we spent a pleasant hour or so walking around the Deep Hayes Country Park where Victorian water engineering designed to provide water for the Potteries has been abandoned and the lakes and cascades are returning to nature.

After the walk he had little choice but to check out the Hollybush. The pint of Caledonian Brerwery beer was excellent, but the menu was of the chicken & chips variety so we will be eating on the boat tonight.

Although we are moored well out into the hills I was pleasantly surprised to find that we continued to get a good internet connection. We use an Orange dongle attachment for our laptop that connects into the 3G mobile phone network. The cost of £5 per month for a 1G max download is very reasonable - perhaps the time will come when it is cheaper to use mobile technology for one's home broadband and dispense with fixed lines completely.