Monday 3 September.

Despite being warned not to stop in Stoke we found a lovely mooring on the edge of the Cauldon Canel.  Opposite our boat was a very modern supported living home and the residents enjoyed feeding the Canada Geese.  The Geese did look lovely but they made a racket for most of the night.  We waited in the sunshine for our friend Thelma and Robin to arrive.  After a quick chat and a cup of tea we headed again down the Etruria Flight of Locks.  This time I had help from Robin with opening the locks and he soon got the hang of it.  We had a lovely day: the weather could not have been better - the sun shone all day and it was warm bordering on hot.  Once we left Stoke we found a lovely spot for our lunch which lasted two hours.  Thelma and Rob really enjoyed their experience.  We moored up in Stone where I used to work for Joules Brewery. Robin and Thelma went back t0 Hanley by bus to collect their car and go home.  John and I walked up memory lane and back to Martini.