Found Fradley.

I had a last dash in to Wilco's at 09:00 before setting off a little later. It was overcast and quite cool, but looked promising for later.

I was pleased to see that this old corn mill dating from 1863 has found a buyer who seems to have made a start on refurbishing it. Nothing was done in September last year. It had been empty for several years when it was put on the market for £1.2 million in 2013! It is in a conservation area and should make a great residence.

Spode House was built for Josiah Spode of  pottery fame. When he died in 1893 he left it to a Dominican religious order who built a priory in the grounds. Itthen resorted to more hedonistic pursuits as a spa and a golf course around the grounds.

Armatige Tunnel was opened out after some collapses due to mining subsidence and now it is just a rocky narrows that is not too bad from this direction, but coming the other way means that you can't see if it is clear until you are in it.

Spode Cottage was a pub steakhouse and grill. It is a Grade II Listed building but was bought for around £499,000 and converted to a six bedroom house. The car park was dug up and changed back to a garden.

Armitage Shanks, the company, was formed by amalgamation of the two companies in 1969, but Armitage had been on this canal side site since 1817. There always used to stacks of new sanitary ware and toilets, but maybe this has been altered by the 'just in time' thinking. (See what I did there?).

These gaunt sentries seem to waiting for spring just south of Kings Bromley Wharf.

It seems very early for rape to be in flower, but I'm not sure. It makes for a cheerful sight when it is a bit gloomy though.

Much like the avenue leading up to some grand house the trees frame the canal and give it a certain gravitas. 

Woodend Lock, first of the day, done and dusted. No queuing today. I can't remember ever not having to wait for at least one boat at this lock.

It was fairly busy at the junction today. I bit of sun, but still a little chilly in the very slight breeze. I had to wait for the boat coming up before dropping down Junction Lock and tying up on the visitor moorings.

We were here to rendezvous with an old chum who popped out of Brum to meet us. It was great to catch up with Stephen and we are looking forward to the next time when we hope Marva can accompany him. All round a very nice day with tea and cake and a stroll round the reservoir.