Visiting the Caldon 9 May

The Caldon Canal, like many, began as a way of transporting limestone the 17 miles from the western slopes of the Pennines to its junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal. It survived the closures of other branch canals because of its water source, like the stone, from the Pennines.

Now a lovely green quiet channel, which we followed to the town of Leek- from Norse for water, we read. Moored with reeds and nettles rampaging along the bank, JJ slips the plank across, so we can walk the 2 miles or so to a pub, the menu including a Limestone Lobby- apparantly a stew!

A photo below of a box at the back of the boat- it gives the steerer extra height, to see over the length of the boat, and is known as a Pavarotti box. A new and welcome addition to Santiago.

Another pic of a star shaped mark in a stone in the lock chamber- the stonemason's mark. We've heard that the mark was made so that the mason could show the number of stones he'd  made, and be paid accordingly.

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