Milton to Etruria (Caldon Canal)

Through Ivy House Lift Bridge

 Another sunny day again today, how lucky are we!!  So we set off along the canal, a bit twisty on this stretch but still very countrified, on along the canal and when we got to the electric Ivy House Lift Bridge which I had to operate last time, guess what, they were working on it and so it was open and we went straight through, how lucky was that!!  On down the canal and under the two very low bridges, through Hanley Park and to Planet Lock, it was set against us, so had to fill it, then in Kev went and down and out and on down the canal to the staircase lock, there was a boat in front of us and one coming up, so we had a little wait here, but soon it was our turn and down we went and moored up by the Etruria Industrial Museum just before the services.  We filled up with water, etc.  Moored just back from us was the Staffordshire Oatcakes boat, so we walked down and had homemade Oatcakes and homemade Pikelets (oatcakes with sultanas or currants in them), they were absolutely delicious.  Staffordshire Oatcakes are a specialty here and everyone eats them, they are like pancakes but made with oatmeal and are much nicer.  Walked back to the boat and just chilled out for a bit. 

In the afternoon, we walked up the canal and road to Festival Park and found a retail park, went in the B&Q to get a shackle we needed for our fender, then walked back through the park and along the canal to the Toby Inn by the marina.  Sat and had a drink in the sun, then decided to go and have a carvery, it was really good and such a nice setting right by the canal and the marina.  Suitably full, we walked back along the canal in the sun, the weather has been so good lately, lots of sunshine and really warm in the day time, but gets a bit chilly at night.

When we walked up the canal earlier, we came across a gate in the hedge with a sign on it saying 13Kg Calor Gas for £19.48.  We went in and enquired if this price included VAT and the lad said it did, that is very cheap, so we are going to get one tomorrow morning before we leave.

Moored with James Brindley at Etruria