Just under an hour saw us at the top of Stoke Locks. We had them all to ourselves except the last where there was a queue waiting to come up. We took our turn and then began the first of the long pounds to the first of the sporadic locks. Pat wanted some shopping which she got at Burlaston, but we were overtaken by a green Stone hire boat and when we reached the top of Meaford Locks this boat was still waiting. Oak and Ash, the Reed Hotel Boats were in the process of negotiating the locks. The "Guvnor" got them into the lock between his motor and the following butty. We just watched with interest. Finally our turn came just as a pair of BW types appeared probably doing an inspection. I screwed up big time as one always does when being watched, as the boat was left in tickover reverse and the rudder caught on the cill, knocking it out of the skeg and probably bending it as well. Good thing we know that the boatyard couldn't get it off when they attempted to change the bearing, so there is little danger of it dropping off now. This will probably be an expensive mistake! At least we can still steer the boat OK, though it needs a little more skill! We carried on through Stone, "Birthplace of the Trent and Mersey Canal", so the sign informs us. Finally coming to rest below Weston Lock. Pat is now busy preparing a Bolognese from scratch. Good Freeview here.
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