Leek Tunnel to Engine Lock

9 September - return journey

Up and about slowly this morning and feeling refreshed after a day off, Vicki and Jan had a great afternoon yesterday with some retail therapy in Leek - extremely successful for both.

Shortly before we take off this morning a barge comes past us and manages to get into a little trouble, water levels a little low over that side.

 Qisma leaves before us as we plan on going through the tunnel. LJ (Josh) waiting patiently for a walk to the first bridge

We moved off upstream through the Leek tunnel and on to the next winding hole, this is the last place a boat over 45ft can turn on this canal so we turned and made our way back down. 

 Even though bigger boats are told to turn around here, not everybody listens. 

The Leek arm of this Caldon canal is very scenic and winds its way into steeper countryside, it is quiet and there are few boats about but the shopping in Leek is very good and there is a market on Wednesday's, or so I'm told, its also a good spot for a day off.

Pete and his favourite scenery - dead machinery on a hill

This is to prove I do drive sometimes and it is not a selfie ;-)

Pete drives into lock as I jumped over to take a picture of building. 

Definitely sharing the driving and locks HAHA

The old Staffordshire Potteries Water Works

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffordshire_Potteries

Last lock of the day done and dusted.

We came downstream following QISMA at a distance and loaded water and dropped rubbish at the CRT yard at Park Lane bridge and moved on . 5 locks and 2 lift bridges later we caught up with Alistair, Jan and LJ at Engine lock and moored for the night at 3pm and find out that they have had more adventures on the Caldon. This is the 2nd tyre that QISMA has had around her prop on this canal.

TOTAL - 6 miles, 5 locks, 2 lift bridges, 1 tunnel twice, 2 loads of washing and 1 waterfill