Trent and Mersey Canal:Meaford

We left our mooring under an overcast sky but with the prospect of a warm day ahead.  Good progress to Stoke top lock, the deep one, deeper as the sides were built up to combat subsidence.   No other traffic, so we made good time.  The canal below the flight must be much deeper because we just seemed to scoot along.  Trentham Lock was in our favour and Barlaston reached after 4 hours.  Pat wanted to visit the nearby Londis store for some fresh salad and then we decided to move on.   After the bridge progress suddenly slowed.  The towpath banks were seen degrading and the water shallower.  Of course the shallower the water, the more disturbence there is in the water by the passage of boats and so a vicious circle gets set up, more erosion, shallower water.   There is no sense in trying to go faster.  All you can do is to drift along.  Nearer to Meaford Locks works were in evidence with a new towpath and metal piling with signs of dredging.   Excellent!   We found ourselves second in the queue at Meaford top lock with a regular alternation of boats up and down until we reached the bottom when it all went quiet again.    We have stopped here for the night.   Mooring 6/10 and TV from Sutton Coldfield.   It was now hot!  Chairs out and a beer (or two).