Friday, July 08, 2016

We like Stone, too!

Shortly after leaving Weston this morning, we came to this bridge, with its very ornate brick pattern. The other side, however, was very dull by comparison.
A boater coming the other way called out that there was a delay beyond Salt Bridge. A tree had come down across the canal, and there was a team there now, dealing with it. We were there within twenty minutes, and the team had finished, packed up and gone away. The offending branch of willow tree had been cut off, cut up, and piled under the hedge.

This pale calf was tenderly licking the head and neck of the other - sweet!
Need I say the scenery was superb?




Sandon Lock

We were amazed to see NB Magnus, a Viking Afloat boat on which we five Distills had holidayed yonks ago. She (He?) looked rather the worse for wear, and our guess is that the hire company sold her when she'd outlived her usefulness to them.
Rising Aston Lock, on the outskirts of the town of Stone, and then the bottom lock in the town itself, we were very lucky to find a good mooring straight away. As we left the lock, another boat left a nearby mooring, to take our water and descend the lock. We nipped in quickly.

It was lunchtime, and we wanted to find a decent pub or other eatery, so we set off up the towing-path. It was a bit of a let-down really. Stone sees itself as a canal town, but the canalside is largely dreary and uninviting. In fact, we'd moored at the best place. We didn't find a pub here, but our walk did take us to a chandlery, where we bought a few bits and pieces for the boat, and a Breton cap for Grace to wear at the tiller.

Returning down the towing-path, we went into the Star Inn at the bottom lock, where we enjoyed a really good meal.
photo - www.tripadvisor.co.uk
After this, we wandered the town. It's an attractive place. Properties are amazingly cheap (compared with St Albans, at least). It's a long time since I've seen homes for sell for five-figure prices. Stone has a good feel to it. And lots of charity shops - books, DVDs and another hat for Grace.
Half a narrowboat!
Millennium commemorative seat made of ceramic tiles produced by local people

PS If you've not yet read "Life with our feet under water", it's for sale at the special price of £1.99 for just one week. Check it out now. Read the first three chapters free of charge. THEN buy it!




No comments:

Post a Comment

I'd love to hear from you!