Leek to Holly Bush Inn, Denford.

Last night we had a beautiful sunset at Leek and a really quiet night. So quiet I slept like a baby.

This morning we were sitting on mud and listing when we got up, the level has dropped by 2”, which made the return trip along the Leek branch interesting as we got stuck a couple of times and met a boat coming the other way who was also stuck.

Took Paddy out for his walk and the horses opposite the boat were soaking up the sunshine.

It was back through the tunnel.

Stuuning morning with the beauty of the trees.

We turned sharp right at Hazelhurst junction and down the 3 Hazelhurst locks.

 

Then under Hazelhurst Aqueduct which carries the Leek branch over the mainline of the Caldon canal.

We moored outside The Holly Bush Inn at Denford, where we had a lovely lunch of plaice, chips and peas, washed down with pints of Marston’s Pedigree.

After lunch it was time to walk it off so we walked to Deep Hayes Country Park, which is just a long the towpath to the next bridge up onto the lane turn left and your in the park.

There are lots of pathways to explore.

Plenty of water falls with stepping stones across,

Lkes, which did not have much in the way of life on them today, but it was still a really pleasant walk. Having done the walk, we then walked back to the road bridge where I spotted a sign saying Station House, so we found our way down on to the old railway and found the old station house and platform.

Passenger traffic ended in 1966, and freight in 1988, but as you can see the railway line has been kept clear, so who knows what the plans may be .

Looking forward to catching-up with friends later on in the pub.