Wedgwood, Barlaston

On Sunday morning after the mist cleared we left Milton for Etruria. It was warm and sunny and a pleasant trip  all round.

Ivy Road Lift Bridge out of action

We had heard rumours that the lift bridge at Ivy Road in Hanley was out of action (boater's pub talk). It was indeed not operating with the road cordoned off and the mechanism locked open. We wondered if this was planned maintenance or a failure. Either way, boaters were not inconvenienced.

A lonely Emma Bridgewater Mug
(and the skip where it will meet its demise!)

Kiddies fire-engine on the lock cill, Bedford Street Staircase
(Some child will be disappointed)

We got to Etruria for lunch and moored up at the same spot as our outward trip. The trip down to Barlaston (Wedgwood) was in glorious sunshine. We moored up just after Bridge ? and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine. 
Cows taking water in late afternoon sunshine, Barlaston

After about an hour NB Blue Roan suddenly arrived after their Leek trip - we might have been able to include Leek in our travels after all. We enjoyed another convivial evening with them - this time aboard their boat. We managed to convince them to use Aston Marina to hand over their boat to the next partner in their 1/4 time share. We think the promise of good food did it!