Sunday 5th July

Up early and on our way by 7.40am. Already 3 boats had passed us as we headed for the locks in Stoke which are big and heavy and can attract unsavoury characters so it is best to go through early in the day. All was quiet.

I thought that these two signs warranted a photo. Think maybe a 'U' is missing from the second building or maybe they just ran out of space'

We last came this way two years ago and unfortunately little has been done to the several derelict buildings and old kilns. At least they have kept some of them and it was interesting to see the new apartments next to two old kilns.

We moored at Westport Lake and between showers (and one clap of thunder) we walked round the lake and enjoyed the fresh air after the heat of last week. 

When we returned to the boat another had moored in front and the occupants were having a BBQ. We thought that they were here for the night but they packed everything away and tried to turn the boat. They discovered that the canal was not wide enough and had to go on to the next winding hole. I'm afraid that I couldn't resist a photo especially as we were hearing comments such as "We're stuck!".