Friday - Milton to Leek - 6 locks, 2 lift bridges, 6.5 miles, 5.5 hours

We set off quite early to travel down the Leek branch of the Caldon Canal.

At the first lock, which was immediately in front of us we were caught up by another boat heading in our direction.  As I finished the lock the guy who was on his own asked me to leave the lift bridge up for him which I said I would.  The lift bridge was just round the corner, so once Rod was through I needed to get back to the tow path which was on the opposite side.  Anyway with a bit of manoeuvring of the boat I managed to jump on and across to get back to the tow path - then a man with a collie appears, the bridge is part of a public footpath, and yes he wanted to cross the bridge, and the other boat was no where in sight -  aarghhhh - so Rod did a bit more manoeuvring and I scrambled back up the bank to lower the bridge!!!  That's what you get for trying to be helpful - needless to say the bridge stayed down :-)).

We made our way through the flight of 5 locks at Stockton Brook.  Then as we headed towards Endon, we went round our first roundabout on the canal!!!!

Not really, it is the pivot point from an old railway turn bridge :-).

George was particularly chilled today.

It's a hard life!!

As we had been told this really is a hidden gem, beautiful countryside and hardly any boat traffic.

The canal splits with one branch heading off to Leek, the other towards Uttoxeter, we were taking the Leek branch first and then coming back to take the Uttoxeter branch. Unfortunately the canal no longer goes all the way to Uttoxeter, but finishes at Froghall.

The two branches run alongside each other, albeit at very different heights before the Leek branch crosses over the top of the Caldon canal.

The locks that drop the Caldon down.

Then the two cross each other.

As we travelled on there were some beautiful houses backing onto the canal. 

We then approached the Leek tunnel which was restored in the 1980's.

Once through the tunnel we had to turn the boat as this was the last winding hole big enough for us.  Once turned, Rod then reversed By The Way down the last few hundred yards to the end of the canal.

The end of the navigation!  The last mile and half that went to Leek has been filled in.

We travelled back through the canal and moored up for the night.

Tonight's tea, was a Red Thai Chicken curry, with rice and a side dish of mushrooms, pak choi and noodles.

With a glass or two of wine!!!  Perfect end to a beautiful day.