Raining on Both side of the Hill.

 We set off about 0830 as we had a tunnel passage to sort out. The weather was dry, but once again really dull.

At Kent Green there is a swing bridge that seems to be always left open. Just opposite is a cottage that is called Toad Hall or something like that. The boat, called 'Rosie' externals the merits of finding Jesus and this is where they live. They continue a history of boats on the cut spreading the word of Christ and missionary boats. The Boaters'Christian Fellowship and the Canal Chaplins are also spreading the word in their own way.

We arrived at the tunnel entrance about 1020 and were told that we would have to wait about an hour as there was one southbound over half way through, then there was one to come north and then us. We set off at 1125 and we were just over 30 mins to the other side.

There were four boats waiting at the south portal, and the first one heading in now. It was drizzling at both ends of the tunnel!

Westport Lake is natural, and not due to subsidence or similar. It is the largest body of water in Stoke on Trent. It was developed into a pleasure resort in 1890 but fell into wasteland. It was one of the first regeneration projects in the city and it re-opened in 1972 as a recreational and conservation area. The visitor centre is run by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the Stoke on Trent City Council, but interestingly it is owned by C&RT!

Top Bridge Works was a pottery that started in 1793 for Davenports who had other works in the area. In 1891 it was taken over by W & E Corn, who in turn were taken over by Price Bros. They merged with Kensington Pottery and became the Price and Kensington Pottery in 1963, and later they were subsidiaries of  Arthue Wood and Sons. The main product here was tea and coffee sets and novelty tea pots. In 2003 the company went into administration and production stopped here. The factory follows the development of the compan'ys as extra buildings were added as they were needed so the development from 1793 to 2003 can be seen. It may not look it but this very important site is Grade II Listed and has even had money spent on the chimney and bottle kiln to help preserve it. Something will have to be done to preserve this site by re-purposing it. It is a massive site and would make incredible mixed use in my opinion, but it will take lots and lots of money and somebody with a vision.

Further round to Longport this artist was just starting out with his latest creation. The concrete fence painted blue has many beautiful art works on already. What will this one become?

This is one of those already on the wall.

Rather than another photo of the Middleport Pottery I thought I would take one of the chimney pots of the terrace of workers houses that are opposite the factory. It seems that they are being done up.

Next to Middleport Pottery is the old Anderton Co. Warehouse with the date 1890 above the name. It was a canal carrier but the warehouse has been taken over by the pottery for storage.

We headed to Etruria and topped up with water and dumped the rubbish. However there was no room before the staircase lock of the Caldon Canal. So we winded and headed back up towards the Toby Carvery. We winded at the wide there and moored up back towards the locks, near the 'gas place'. Passing the Toby Carvery put the idea of a 'Sunday dinner' in our heads, so we walked up and indulged ourselves. No starter, no pudding and as many vegetables as you can eat. It was a nice enough meal, and more so as it was not planned.