Emma Bridgewater Factory, Hanley

There's been buckets of rain, meaning the water is lapping at vegetation hanging low over the canal banks. Levels have certainly risen but from such a low baseline that it's misleading. Rainboat is still grounding in unusual places, making travel tricky.

There were no locks on today's short cruise, the sun shone and the rain held off which was lovely.

We moored outside the Emma Bridgewater factory so once again sounds of metal shutters being rolled up at 5am, music and reject pottery items being smashed one by one in a skip drifted to our ears. They weren't intrusive and only added to our experience of staying in 'The Potteries'.

With Whiskers' lovely rainbow harness lost somewhere in the peacock paddock and the maker no longer using that fabric, Vicky did a map search for a haberdashery. To her delight she saw there was an Abakhan in Stoke city centre so we headed up there the next morning. With all the fabrics, yarns and crafting equipment Vicky felt like a kid in a sweetshop! She was almost disappointed when the assistant found a suitable cotton print and she no longer had an excuse to trawl the aisles!

When we last visited Emma Bridgewater Vicky had treated herself to a new bluebell mug and tea towel. Since then she'd been looking forward to visiting the café. By chance we arrived in between tour groups, so most tables were free for the next 45 minutes. Lunch was 'country kitchen' done well and we followed it up with a slice of rich trillionaires tart and a large pot of tea each. What a treat! Afterwards we had a mooch around the red brick courtyard garden which grew apple trees, small shrubs, flowers and aromatic herbs in raised beds and silver metal dustbins. We peered through the windows of the decorating studio where a few visitors were deep in concentration, then went out via the factory shop, where 'imperfectly perfect' items were sold at a small discount.

Will whiled away the afternoon fishing and Vicky rested before leaving the dogs in his capable hands and taking the wheelchair to the Jolley's pet store. It over a mile along a main road that seemed to be a linear retail park. At was rush hour the cars pumped out exhaust fumes and seemed noisier down at chair level. We feel lucky to live and travel in the relative quiet of the canal system. She returned with a replacement, cat carrier balanced on her lap, a replacement flexi lead, treats for the dogs and a present for Abby and Leo, whose birthday and adoptiversary are coming up. Will resolved not to let her loose by herself in a pet shop for some time when he saw the receipt 😬Read more