Solace Day 2.

Having spent the night at a quiet rural spot in the countryside near Burston south of Stone we weren't terribly early in starting off.  Soon after we started there was a herd of mixed beef cattle many down by the canal side drinking.  This fine fellow (probably Charolais X Friesian) caught my eye due to the good reflection.

The day went as well as the reflection looked.  we quietly made our way  gently north passing through Stone and Stoke on Trent.  At Etruria the Caldon Canal joins the Trent and Mersey but having been up there fairly recently we gave it a miss.

At the junction of the canals stands Jesse Shirley's Etruscan Bone and Flint mill.   Again unsurprisingly it was for the preparation of materials for the pottery industry.  The cattle bones being used in the production of "bone" china.  Another feature of the day was the many "bottle" kilns that still stand in the old industrial buildings beside the canal.  I hope the "powers that be" have the sense to ensure they are preserved for the future.