The Caldon canal

A very bendy canal, industrial at one end and countrified at the other, it originally carried limestone.

These days it's course seems to be inhabited by students, resulting in  many beer bottles and cans giving an appearance of neglect, sadly.

The other noticeable thing is one side of the canal is covered with wall to wall housing estates whilst the other remains woodland and moorland ,as it has always been. Spotted two kingfishers and umpteen herons, still as grumpy as ever.

The heat was tremendous, particularly winding and pushing locks (me) whilst Lynne literally roasted on the tiller. 

The above stands next to Caldon locks. It is a celebration of the potteries by all the big companies involved.

Eventually we escaped from Lego-housing incorporated and landed in real countryside for a pleasant change. The canal continues to twist and turn. I would not recommend taking a boat over45 feet down the Caldon and bow thrusters are a must. Luckily it was not busy on our visit. The canal eventually splits into the Caldon to Uttuxeter and the Leek arm to Leek. We chose the latter and moored near the aqueduct over the Calden.

A quieter/ shorter day and all the better for it.