First day’s cruising on our own: we’d decided to stay close to Biddulph and the Piper factory in case of any problems, and revisit the delightful Caldon Canal, which we had done on our last hire-boat trip. Pointing north but wanting to head south we wound (winded?) at the winding hole just by the entrance to the Harecastle Tunnel.

Then back down to Etruria and the first challenge: the staircase locks.  Not quite as daunting as they look, but a challenge for Song & Dance’s first lock.

Then it’s through the not quite so interesting pottery areas, (restraining SWMBO from visiting the Emma Bridgewater factory shop), and past Stoke-on-Trent College, with its educational priorities proudly displayed for all to see, before emerging into the sunshine and country where we moored for the night by a field with several Gypsy Cob ponies including a foal. Look just like miniature Clydesdales!