The weather was kind to us this morning as we set off for the Wednesday market. It took us a while to get going as we were way laid by a couple of local gentleman who upon realising that we were off “That Kiwi Boat” wanted to chat about New Zealand and their friends or relatives living there . One of them recalled the original canal basin in Leek and the large railway sidings that used to be in the same area.
We eventually got to the market which is probably one of the biggest as far as the amount of stalls were concerned that we have come across. It was certainly well supported by the amount of people in attendance. We bought a few bits and pieces and then called into Morrison’s supermarket on our way back to the boat.
Leek's Wednesday market in full swing.
As the weather was still dry we decided to head back towards Hazelhurst Junction ready to return to the Caldon Canal tomorrow. As we virtually had the canal to ourselves we only pottered along and it was lovely just listening to the birds singing. We could imagine what it must have been like with the old horse drawn barges with just the clip clop of the horses hooves instead of a noisy diesel engine. Bliss.
Thirty four years ago.
You can see the different contours of the old and new tunnel sections.
After mooring up we went for a walk along the towpath down to the junction and then back along the Caldon Canal towpath to the Holly Bush pub at Denford. We had to shelter under some of the bridges during the odd shower of rain but nothing too bad. From here we followed the road back to the Aqueduct where we are moored.
A carpet of Bluebells.
1637 locks, 3471 miles, 61 Tunnels, 45 swing bridges and 42 lift bridges since Nov 2006
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