Visiting Stoke on Trent

We were lucky enough to be invited to an area of the country that is well known for producing some of the world's best china. The area produced massive amounts of fine china for companies such as Spode, Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Straffordshire, Portermerion, and many others. Some of the bottle kilns that they used to fire the china are still standing there and several china companies including Spode are still there. Our friend's Janet and Graham own a flat there and took us up for the day. Their area is also well know for its coal pit mines which are now being reclaimed as parks, forests, and even housing. The mines in the area have all been closed now. We did a short hike up a slag heap that is in the process of being reforested to get a great view of the area. We wandered through the town, saw the bottle kilns, and had a delicious Sunday Roast at Spode on some fine china. Above you will see Janet, Graham, and Brian with the town behind them. On this day we also learned all about Cricket. It was the last day of the fourth test match (England vs. Australia) and England managed to win the match. Graham patiently explained the game to Brian and I, and answered the many questions I kept asking. The game is quite complicated and very British. Cricket seems to have been fading here as many more people watch and play football (soccer) but this series has captured the attention of the country and it is again popular.