And now, Stone

As it turned out, the Shimla Palace did have a table (don't bother trying to ring outside their opening hours), and we had a very good meal, succumbing yet again to the temptation to have a pudding after already scoffing too much. It's a very high class Bangladesh and Indian restaurant, offering all the usual dishes but some less common ones as well.

The main drawback from the boater's point of view is that you have to cross the A51 to get to it, which requires a bit of thought and judgment.

Once again we got up early this morning and set off before seven. I worked Colwich lock before getting my breakfast, then Sheila waited with Bunnies Warren below Haywood whilst I went and bought a paper. Once up the lock, I steered and Sheila breakfasted, so by Hoo Mill we were all ready for whatever else the day would bring.

For much of the morning the weather was glorious, sunny and almost warm, with no wind to speak of. It slowly clouded over and chilled down, though, so that when we got to Stone at half eleven, we were glad to take a break on the visitor moorings below Star Lock to eat lunch. Once fed, we set off again, and worked up the four Stone locks, me steering and Sheila locking this time,

As usual, there was plenty of room above Lime Kiln Lock, opposite the Roger Fuller yard. We nipped into town to get another loaf of bread, as we won't have a decent shopping opportunity now for a few days, since we're not stopping at Barlaston this trip.

We're determined to try the Dolce Vita tonight, so a report on that tomorrow, hopefully.