Weather forecast had been terrible and we'd thought about staying in Milton for the day. When we got up at about 9 it wasn't raining and the forecast was better, so we decided to go after all. Encountered some rain but not a lot.
Travel was mostly OK but had its moments. Had to wait for an extra boat to come up the Bedford Road staircase locks. Then we had some excitement in Stoke top lock, with not dropping one of the top paddles. Swept Erin Mae back towards the cill and the prop wouldn't drive her forwards. Felt dangerous and scary, though the stern gear was probably just clear of catching the cill. Mgt had to drop the bottom paddles, while I climbed up and opened the top paddles to float Erin Mae. That was when we realised the paddle had not been dropped. The gates were very heavy and the whole experience not good. However, it feels and sounds as though no damage has been done.
Meanwhile we'd gone up to Bridge 117 and found the GT Autogas store where they sell 13Kg bottles of gas for £21. Winded at the Toby Carvery.
The rest of the locks were OK and we ended a long day at the Wedgwood moorings between Trentham and Barlaston.
10.6 miles, 9 locks, 1 lift bridge, 6.9 engine hours.
