Snow, sun and Stone.

 It seems that it had got down to -3.3 last night but we were nice and cosy. In the morning the sun was shining as we stirred our stumps and then drank our tea in bed listening to the radio.

After breakfast, and as we were getting ready to venture outside and get moving it started snowing! However we didn't need to sit very long as it soon passed over.

The sun was out straight away and I hopped out to take a picture. By the time we actually let go at 0930, there was hardly any sign of it left at all.

As we approached Sandon Wood I was looking out for Pitt's Column and happened to see the above. I have never noticed it previously so maybe some trees have gone. It turns out it is the top of one of the towers of Trentham Hall that was built in 1840. It was demolished in 1910-12 and the very top of the tower was moved here for the princely sum of £192 7s 0d! It will have a great view from up there, and I am surprised we hadn't seen it on our walk in the area last year.

It is said that Sandon Canal bridge is especially ornate due to demands of the estate family. However if you just put a standard bridge in would the dip down to the deck of the bridge and up again on the other side be too much for wagons etc! Part of the design will be to bring the road level up to get rid of the dip. What ever, it looked well in the morning sun.

There are so many dogs these days! I was impressed by these walkers who seemed to be a long way from anywhere with their dogs, and still met up for a chat. It seems that in 2020/21 there were 12.5 million dogs in the UK. That is up from 7.5 million ten years previously. 33% of homes have a dog it seems, 27% have a cat and 2% a rabbit! The dog food market along accounts for £1.4 billion never mind the coats, collars leads etc. No wonder vets seems to charge what they like these days as they have more than enough customers. 

I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of a yellow sign I saw on the length of railway by Sandon Wood but it was yellow with 32 on it. I think it was like this. I had never heard of a 'curve board' before but it may be that is what it is. I will have to check it when we pass on the way back as it may be a distance marker too. If you are riveted by this, keep on reading tomorrow! Well, hopefully you will anyway.

Last Sunday we were at Acklam Farm on the west slopes of the Yorkshire Wolds for a very informal lambing 'experience'. It was a glorious day in the warm sunshine and we could see York Minster in the distance. I bet it wont be as lovely to day. We were just a it slow to take a picture of the second of two lambs getting to its feet after being born, but these were in the next field. The lambs were realy gamboling so it was a real pleasure to watch them as we passed.

We passed two swans grazing from the water and next to them was this nest with four eggs in it. I wonder if they are wasted now with the cold or the warmth of the sun and the decomposing nest is enough to give them a break. We shall see on the way back.

After heading up Aston Lock and on the way into Stone the blue of this periwinkle stood out in the sun

A little further on wish this orange blossom. Is it a quince (japonica)? I hadn't noticed the blue grape hyacinth and the yellow dandelion earlier. I had asked Helen earlier whether grape hyacinth was native to the UK. It seems that there was one variety that was native to eastern England but this has morphed with incoming species from south eastern Europe. Looking closely again there is some sort of yellow flower below the quince? that could be a yellow spurge!

Before bridge 91 on the way into Stone is this large old house. I have often wondered why it was built here. Pearson's says that it is an old brass works. I had a poke about in the archives and found that it was a brass and wire mill that opened in 1794. It lasted until 1840 apparently. This building is listed and is known as Brassworks Farmhouse and was built when the works started so I think it was the managers home originally. As you can see from the sale item of 3rd October 1825 it was quite extensive with steam and water wheel power.

I love the bit about women and children being available locally! Different times. In the mid 1990's the land was sold and planning for the houses that are there now was given, against the wishes of the local council. Bridge 91 is called Brassworks Bridge.

We pottered on to the winding hole before Star Lock and turned. I made a bit of a pigs ear of it, but were soon round and moored back up. After lunch we headed into town and went to chat to the boat yard as we are booked in for a blacking at the beginning of June which is now a Bank Holiday for the Queen's Jubilee. I wondered if they still wanted us on the Monday. We then had a wander through the town as Helen wanted some blue wool. There seems to be a few more shops full, and maybe even a little more 'up-market' than previously. It looks like a Titanic pub to open soon in the main street. I wonder what the Royal Exchange will think of that!