I can't remember if the Devil's Arse was visited, B and I, avid collectors of Burleigh Ware had only one plan today - a visit to Middleport Pottery at Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, the manufacturers of Burleigh Ware.
As L planned the route, we wended our way on B roads down out of the Pennines and eventually found the object of our desire in a very down at the heel section of town.
Little did we know at the time that in a few weeks we would pass a far more salabrious entrance
As we approached the entrance to the shop the door swung opened and we were welcomed in by a man whom I shall henceforth call the husband handler because he was a master as you shall see.
The husband handler ushered us in with a 'ladies first'. Upon seeing B's and my eyes pop with pleasure at the sight before us he
deftly got an arm in front of the 'boys', leaving B and I to surge into the shop unhindered while he guided 'the boys' to a nearby table and seated them with their backs to the shop.
There the husband handler, also a charming raconteur, kept them, for nearly two hours, plying them with tea and cake whilst telling them the history of the pottery, future plans and who knows what else (as ocassionally there was quite a lot of laughter emanating from that end of the room). Thus ensuring that both G and L remained oblivious to the heaven B and I found ourselves in and how much stuff we were piling on the counter. Several hundred dollars - each - later and arrangements made for shipping to Australia we were regretfully done. The husband handler, keeping an eye on B and me, had already begun his wind down and by the time we reached the table he had released G and L from their thrall.
That man is must be worth his weight in gold to the pottery, it wasn't until we were in the car and well on our way to Wolverhampton that L asked if I had purchased anything.
Betty's next accommodation pick was very quirky indeed - The Barons Court Hotel, run by Keith and his never to be seen mother.
Although L felt like a bull in a china shop - he nearly sent several things flying, including this suite of armour we
had a very comfortable bedroom.
Whereas B&G had a tiny room, with a small double bed against the wall and still no room to swing a cat. We offered to swap and were very grateful when they declined and suggested we have their luggage instead.
Next day is hazy, I think we went into town and got phone sims and a dongle and had a look around, and somewhere laid eyes, for the first time, on a canal. That evening Keith kindly let B & me use his washing machine and dryer so we could start our boating adventure with everything clean.
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