Monday 11th June 1990

Relieved of the statue at Etruria, the crew disappeared into the Etruscan Bone Mill with Archie and Anne for a quick tour of their steam plant. We left at 12.30 on our way back down Stoke locks. Pauline met us at bottom lock with lunch, we stopped briefly by 'Vulcan' at last night's mooring, and then both boats continued to Stone.

We moored below Star Lock in Stone - breasted up with 'President' on the outside because she could not get alongside. Cratch, mast, stands and cloths put back up, watched avidly by the residents of the new retirement homes built opposite. We had time for a visit to the Star at the end of the evening - it was nice to be back in Stone - in our few days in the area we seemed to have made a lot of friends.

Tuesday 12th June 1990

8 am departure Stone - 'President' in front and an easy trip down to Great Haywood. Warmly welcomed by Anglo Welsh on their wharf, and they even allowed a trip-boat's worth of children into the yard to look over 'President'. Time for Pauline to do the shopping (Strawberries from the Farm Shop for tonight) and for some lunch. Thence to Penkridge for the night...

Wednesday 13th June 1990

John from BW warned us to get up the pound above Otherton Lock before most boats were on the move. So, tea only, and departure at 7.15. Breakfast was at Gailley at 9.30 - met the Matthias family there, who were very active with 'President' a few years ago.

Lunch transferred and eaten on the move, and we reached Aldersley at 13.45. Up the 21 - some low pounds half way, which is our main excuse for an unimpressive time. Cleared top lock at 16.36, waited a few minutes for 'Vulcan' and then on.

After the Bilston Road bridge at Monmore Green, 'President' rode up quite alarmingly over something big and substantial on the bottom. Martin was in the cabin making tea, and received a lap-full of cups, plates and milk.

19.40 - bridge raised and 'President' moored back at the Black Country Living Museum, just under 7 weeks after we set out on the initial leg to London.

The crew for the trip back from Stone had been David Stott, Andy Flack, Martin Cardwell and Simon Nuttall. I (Tony Millatt) had swapped around between 'President' and 'Vulcan' and of course still in residence on 'Vulcan' were Pauline, Alan and Brandy.

Friday 15th June 1990

Wednesday was one finish for the trip, but today was the official finish. The hold had been cleaned out, and a pair of chapel seats installed. We went out to Deepfields, winded, and returned to Coseley Stop to pick up the Mayor of Dudley and party for the final leg of the trip back. Into the Museum, down the arm and along to the rolling mill for a reception (with a speech by our chairman) and then lunch.

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