DD part 2 – 20th September 2019

Douglas Diary Autumn Hols

Rugeley to Stone – part two

It was a cracking morning with a cloudless sky and no wind, perfect cruising weather but first I had to take my bearded one for his walk as usual.

We explored about a mile of towpath through the surprisingly attractive town of Rugeley and then we returned to my long kennel for breakfast, at least he did I am not sure I would call my meagre handful of dry biscuits exactly breakfast but hey ho – it’s a dogs life.

Because the weather is so clement, my Captain, aka my bearded pet announced between mouthfuls of toast and marmalade that we are going to give it some today, some of what was not made clear. I know he wants to get to Stoke on Trent to collect crew but that is not possible for at least a couple of days.

Our destination today it turns out is the little old market town of Stone, about seven hours away, it used to be very important 1400 dog years ago back in the day when this canal was one of the main arteries to the industrial heart of The Great British Empire! (BB -Before Brexit)This was where stood the HQ of the Trent & Mersey Canal Company. Now it is really quite quaint and sleepy but it has its problems for us travelling long kennels.

My bearded one has decided to moor below the first and bottom lock of eight (for ascent tomorrow). We are well placed next door to a park. He says this is for my benefit but I know it is because he won’t find a mooring once he enters the town.

His past experience is that Stone Town Council very unwisely allocated much of the towpath within the town to residential mooring only thus leaving very little space for travelling long kennels. Visitors cannot spend their money in the town so easily. But since my pets claim to have none that’s fine by me.

Love Douglas x