First adventure on Outrageous our new narrow boat. She is 52 ft Colecraft boat built in 2019 but new to us from January this year.

Thursay 12 March 2026

Arrived at Stone where is is currently moored to rain, what a surprise, and laden with extra bedding , food and clothes and lots of other stuff – all of which I’m sure we will need.

Went to Aldi to do food shopping for us and our guests Roger and Sue from Hythe. Had to then go into Stone for a pint in our favourite Titantic pub Bod in the centre of the High Street in Stone. We had visited Stone several times leading up to buying the boat and since January when she became ours but the only journey we did was a couple of miles down to the next lock. Didn’t venture through. So the adventure starts tomorrow.

Friday 13th March 2026

Sue and Roger arrived in good time and after a celebratory bottle of Prosecco opened and ‘Outrageous Jollies’ was the toast we were on our way, on the Trent and Mersey canal only tackling two locks and hoping to moor up in Stone. This was managed but the mooring was full and we just about managed to get on the end but had to climb over a fence to get to the towpath. Decided that best to have dinner before going to the pub, was hoping to go to the Wren afterwards as they had music on. The Wren is a quirky pub with lots of embroidered umbrellas and other interesting stuff but it was very busy and no where to sit, and was hot and steamy as it was still raining outside. So on back down the High Street to Bod where they also had music but places to sit. The music was good, two guitars and singers and lots of songs we knew.

Back to the boat, heating on and sorting out how the sofa converts into a bed . All seemed to go together well and everyone tired and off to bed.

Saturday 14th March

Did our visitors sleep well, yes except for Roger who had condensation drips from the windows on his face. Must sort that out. We were all warm even though the temperature outside was expected to be 2 degrees. Breakfast of BLT sandwiches and on to our next place to stop. Going through Stone was interesting lots of boat yards and it passes the old Joules Brewery and other impressive buildings. A learning curve of winding the locks and steering for our visitors was achieved by going through the next 7 locks in about a mile, all very competent now. A few more miles uninterrupted by locks to Barlaston to stop for the night. The Plume of Feathers was just by the moorings so had to be sampled and it was in fact very good. The other pub in the village had also to be sampled but this was up a very long hill (only about half a mile) and this pub was equally inviting and in fact had the rugby on so we stayed until the end of the match. We had agreed to eat out this evening and the Plume of Feathers was booked on our way back. Dinner was very good in the pub and enjoyed by all, we were next to a table waiting to go into the restaurant celebrating a 60th Birthday but seemed strange to us as the lady with the Birthday sash was left standing, anyway did not deter from our good meal.

Again the bed sorted and straight to bed for all of us.

Sunday 15th March

A short sail along the canal to Old Road Bridge 104 where it is only a short walk to the World of Wedgewood. A tea room and museum. Coffee and tea was had in the tea room on very exquisite Wedgewood bone china. Then on to the museum which is very informative and went into the history of the company as well as having examples of the pottery from the 1700’s to present day so an enjoyable couple of hours spent in there, you could spend much longer and during the week you can do a factory tour.

On through 6 more locks through Stoke on Trent, all in the rain, turning 90 degrees onto the Caldon Canal to the Etruria Moorings and a Canal and River facilities station. Moored up here and emptied rubbish etc and filled up the water tank.

Again local pubs had to be found and the Holy Inadequate seemed the best in the book. This was about half a mile walk but turned out to be a lovely warm pub, we were able to get a spot by the fire to dry our coats, hats and gloves out.

It was difficult to choose a beer because of the vast range of real ales available, some brewed on the premised under the Inadequate name. A pint had, a second had to be tried to check one of the other beers on offer. Back to the boat and a bottle of port was opened! Dinner then on board of Salmon in a cream sauce, lots of vegetables, Cheese and Biscuits with the Port and Cadbury’s Cream Eggs cakes. Bed again quiet early, it’s all this fresh air.

Monday 16th March

Sue and Roger had to head home today but not until a Staircase Lock had been navigated and yet another lock to Hanley Park in Stoke which is an extremely good park with a Victoria Pavillon and Boat House . Sue and Roger made their way to the station to get back to Stone where their car was to drive home for Sue had work tomorrow.

Ieuan and I carried on through a Lift Bridge operated with a key, so easy, press a button and the barriers come down and then the bridge lifts . When the boat is through you just press the close button and can take the key out when the bridge is back in place. Rain started again and we continued on for a few miles to Milton where the book suggested some good pubs, we found our way to the Millrace but no real ales, just lots of larger, no fire or anything interesting, so walked to one of the other pubs in the rain but that wasn’t even open so back to the boat to get warm with our central heating on. Dinner on board was risotto with leftover veg from the weekend.

Tuesday 17th March

Started off from Milton and on to Stockton Brook, through 5 locks in quite quick succession, no where to moor up and have a look at the village so on to the CRT facilities at Endon to do the normal getting rid of rubbish etc. Decided as we were quite early here as we had hoped to stop at Stockton Brook that we would go on and go up the Leek Arm of the canal.

Of course we met another boat coming up in the narrowist and shallowist part of the canal it seemed and they were none too pleased either, Ieuan had got off and was walking so I was stuck trying to negotiate this, going backwards in the boat is not fun. Anyway we managed it without any bumping or shouting. Met a couple walking along and Ieuan asked if they would like a lift, were they going our way? No but yes they would love a lift! Seemed they had a boat on the Broads so lots of stories exchanged. They got off hoping to find the Hollybush Inn. We carried on through the Leek tunnel to the end of the canal and then a long walk into town through the industrial estate, where we were pleased to find a very good Belgium bar and a Titantic pub so all was well. Stopped off at Morrisons on the way back for supplies and a £10 dinner for 2.

The end of the canal here is in the middle of nowhere, very dark, lots of stars and could only see two lights on the nearby industrial estate but nothing more. Very quiet night. Runners came past the boat at about 7 ish in the morning. Everywhere we have been we have seen runners and dog walkers early morning but I did think this was a bit far out of town for runners here.

Wednesday 18th March

Started about 9am to go back down the Leek branch, its only about 3 miles, and onto the other arm of the Caldon Canal leading to Froghall. Ieuan did the big turn from the Leek arm around on to the other bit, I did the 3 locks that start that part of the canal. I had an issue on the first one there was a big bit of wood in the canal and of course when I tried to open the gate it got stuck and the gate wouldn’t open. Had to use the windless to push it out of the way without falling in myself, eventually i did get the gate open and all was good. Got the bit of wood out of the canal so it wouldn’t happen to someone else. Lunch stop at the Hollybush Inn a mile or so from the locks, weather was very sunny and very warm, sat outside and chatted with some of the other patrons, I even managed to do some sketching, is a lovely spot.

On through Cheddleton and 2 locks towards the end of the canal, another 2 locks but spaced about a mile apart, past the Black Lion and a Railway Station.

On via a single width bit of the canal by the railway then after another lock a short stretch on the River Churnet. There is a sign here on the lock wall marked with red and green paint advising only to go through when you can see green paint, the river could be dangerous if it is flowing fast. Then a lock at the end of the river section other to the last winding hole for boats over 45 ft. We moored up here and went to look at the tunnel entrance but it was all a bit disappointing nothing much to see and it had been a long day. A glass of whiskey to celebrate or commiserate.

The entrance to the tunnel.

Hoping to go back to the Black Lion but by the time we had got through the first lock it was getting dark so stayed there. Ieuan suggested a walk along the dark tow part to the pub, I agreed but not readily, he took a torch and we made it only to find it only opened during the day. Again we were really in the back of beyond, no lights and lots of stars.

Thursday 19th March

Back past the Black Lion, still closed. On the river again, another lock, and on to Cheddleton to stop by the Churnet Vally Railway which was not running today. A look at the trains anyway.

Passing another boat in another very narrow bit we were told that the pound in Cheddleton was dry! Decided to wait a while here and had of course to visit The Boat which had very nice ales to refresh us. The canal was very low and very shallow along most of this bit of the Caldon but we thought we would go and have a look anyway. Arrived at the lock and went into it. The pound, quite small about 50m was very low but not dry so Ieuan went on to open the next lock to put a bit more water in then indicated that I should move forward slowly, well move, yes I could just about move but only just, the boat was only just floating, so slowly with some omph from the engine we got into the lock and up and out the other side where the canal had more water but was still low.

Moored up for Cheddleton and walked into the village, needed bread and milk and found a shop that also had Oatcakes a Staffordshire and Ieuan favourite, then on to a tea room with a craft room for tea and cake. We actually walked past another Black Lion and back to the boat.

The Flint Mill at Cheddleton

On then along this stretch of very shallow canal to the Hazelhurst junction with 3 locks, Ieuan was on the boat and picked up a bot of about 10 who had never been on a narrow boat and talked him through the locks which I did the winding and pushing helped by the grandparents of the boy. On a couple of miles back to the CRT facilities at Endon to stay the night there.

A walk to the Black Horse for a pint of Dizzy Blond – a beer we drink in Manchester and looking at the menu decided to share a starter! This amounted to sweet potato fries, a small bowl of chilli, onion rings, chicken strips and sweet chilli sauce for £15.50. It was a meal for us.

Friday 20th March

On towards Stockton Brook where we med a CRT employee who said one of the pounds in Stockton Brook was low and to proceed with caution. Ieuan too over doing the locks for these 5 and when we got to the one which she thought was low it was Ok, again just had to stay in the middle and Ieuan had the lock open so I could go straight in. The others all Ok, Ieuan just got back on the boat to have a sit down and rest and around anther corner was the lift bridge that had caused some issue on the way down, it was very heavy to wind so off he went to open it up for me and I let him back on the boat. Ieuan got off for the next lift bridge but without the key that opened this one, but sorted and through, I did the next one with the press buttons!

Met up here with an electric boat that we had known at the Marina in Stone, they were just on their way to do the Leek arm and the end of the Caldon.

Past Hanley Park again and me up with an older gentleman at the next lock who helped me and talked about his misspent youth playing on the canal and how boats come and unloaded materials for the potteries in Stoke. On up to the staircase locks at Etruria, I had to moor up and wait as there was someone coming up. We hadn’t met many boats so just unlucky to meet here. Another big turn after the lock with a sheltered housing scheme on the bankside with lots of residents enjoying the sunshine, I didn’t bump, I got around well!

Moored up and went into the Etruria Museum , its only open on Fridays unless its a steam weekend. Very interesting to see how the mill boiled bones, baked them and then ground them up for the potteries for bone china. An elephant bone and a whale bone had been saved by the workers for posterity as they normally only had cattle bones but seemed like anything the owner could find they crushed. Lots to see and the volunteers very knowledgeable about the processes. Tea in the tea room continued this chatting.

After dinner a pint in the Holy Inadequate again.

Saturday 22st March

I let Ieuan do the big turn from the Caldon to the Trent and Mersey while I did the 3 locks coming up. The first one opened easily but trying to shut the bottom gate was a real struggle. We then me a CRT Volunteer who informed me that the first lock is called “the Beast” I certainly agree. Ieuan took over doing the locks after the next one and I did the next 2 toward Trentham where we wanted to stop. Thought this would be a village but lots of residential but only a couple of shops and a new Bod pub which we had to try and had lunch of Sausage roll, salad and onion chutney which was very nice. Bought a paper and doughnuts in the garage to finish lunch.

On again towards Stone and 5 more locks where we wanted to stay for the night. Most of Stone tow path is used by one of the boat clubs so not much mooring through the town. These locks did give me a lot of practice of mooring up and passing other boats as it being the weekend there were lots of boats out and had to wait at most locks to go through. Our old boat was easy to moor up but this one being 14 ft longer is a bit more trickly but I did get the hang of it eventually but not always. Ieuan enjoyed helping other boats through the locks until it was my turn and then after the last one of the day we moored up on the end of the moorings in Stone, the one where you have to get over the fence again!

Sunday 22nd March

Some shopping to do in Stone, still trying to find a few things that will make life on board easier and tidier. A trip to Morrisons also to get dry supplies for next trip.

Lunch was in the Oatcake and Milkshakes bar and I had oatcakes with cheese and bacon and Ieuan had his with black pudding and mushrooms.

On then through the Star lock following a boat so Ieuan decided to walk this mile or so. Met a boat almost immediatly but plenty of room to pass so all good. Then another coming towards me just the other side of a bridge but he was nearer so he had right of way and just to make things difficult there was a boat moored up making no space for two boats to pass, I had to back up! I did but ended up in the tow path and almost stuck, the engine got me out but Ieuan nowhere to be seen to help!

Nearly at the Aston lock and I heard a horn then saw the front of a boat coming through about 10m from me, again I had to back up but this time I ended up in the trees with room for the other boat to pass on my starboard side! Through the bridge and had to moor up again! To wait for the lock. I quickly handed over to Ieaun to to the find bit into the marina and back on to our berth.

Rest of he day spent sorting out tidying up and painted a sunflower on the hatch. Cooked dinner of Salmon en Croute and fruit salad. Showers and bed,

64 miles, 62 locks in 10 days

Monday 23rd March

Tidy up, make sandwiches for the journey and coffee for the journey and at this time the gas ran out! Took some time to sort but swopped the cylinders and then drove home. Very good week, very exhausting.