Stone

After leaving my mooring, I shortly had to tackle Aston Lock, but this was no big deal for a hardened boater like myself.

I passed through Stone, apart from a brief stop off at a conveniently placed Marks & Spencer food hall that was right next to the canal.

In here I enjoyed a freshly prepared bacon bap and a capuccino before commencing my semi-expensive shop. The bap was perfect and tasty unlike another customer’s order who had delivered to his table an Eggs Royale but they forgot to add the ham… What donuts!

I spotted this rather neat looking memorial on the way past. Someone is keeping this immaculate.

I found this near the towpath next door to M&S. A welcome to Stone montage in tiles, which I think is quite unique as I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Not far from the the above, I spotted this sign below, which I thought quite comical.

I don’t really like locks with pubs next to them, as on a nice day like this one, there are normally a large collection of gongoozlers outside. They normally watch for any mistakes that you are certain to make and then point out the obvious to you. However, on this occasion, I was being helped by the guy with the windlass and the people were very friendly.

Just by the lock was this sign with interesting reading, particularly the part that tells of the unfortunate and tragic story of Christina Collins.

I also passed by the former Joule’s Brewery which has quite some history behind it. As far as I can find out, it closed in 1974.

I came across this tiny narrowboat which must have been no longer than 15 feet and the width of it was certainly less than mine. Maybe 6 feet at the most. Mine is 6ft 10in which is as standard as they get. Half the time, I don’t take the photo until it’s too late but in this case I had to pass close due to an oncoming boat, so there was a bit going on.

Here’s me negotiating entry in to the Measham top lock which is at the far north of Stone. Sorry about the camera dip near the end. I needed another pair of hands as I needed to control the throttle as well as hold the camera. I’ll use my GoPro next time.

I’ve seen quite a quite a few things on the canals during my travels. I’ve seen plenty of wharves where people have canal side moorings but this is one of the few who have created their own marina. It even has it’s own derrick to be able to single handedly take out the blocking boards. Marvellous stuff. Must have cost a small fortune.

It’s another one of those trees again, with the overhanging branches that totally obscure your vision ahead and sometimes, if not careful, knock things off the roof. I haven’t had this happen to me yet, but there was a close call where an action camera and mount got knocked over but furtunately stayed on the roof.