Sunday 7th October 2011

We set off from Adlington and continued south along the Macclesfield Canal this morning, the only obstructions being two swing bridges; one was open, the other needed a button pushed to stop the traffic, lower the barriers and open the bridge. No winding required.

After lunch, we went down the Bosley Lock Flight. The first few locks were already set for us from boats coming up, but efficient coordination from our lock operators (AKA "young, fit girls") allowed us to get though all 12 locks in around 90 minutes. The lock operators had earned their cup of tea at the bottom though.

We then continued on past Congleton, and are now moored up in what seems like the middle of nowhere, just south of bridge 82.

17 miles, 12 locks, 2 swing bridges (one open) today.

Saturday 6th August 2011

The weather finally cleared, so we rejoined the Macclesfield Canal south to moor back where we were two nights ago.

In the afternoon, we walked to the National Trust house at Lyme Park. It was a nice, but long walk through the park, and wandering around a stately home made a change from canal life. Barney was a bit bored though as he wasn't even allowed in the gardens.

Saturday 6th August 2011

After what seemed a good day weather wise, we set off to Marple. After a few minutes, it started raining, then got wetter. And wetter. And wetter.

There was nowhere sensible to moor, so we ploughed on through the rain to Marple, where we are currently drying out!

Friday 5th August 2011

After a latish start, we headed up the Macclesfield Canal to Marple. We turned right on to the Peak Forest canal, which is really lovely - it contours around the hills, with good views over the valley in a lot of places - very reminiscent of some parts of the Mon & Brec canal.

We stopped for the lunch by the Torrs Riverside Park; a lovely spot, but unfortunately, the pub in the town didn't open until 7pm...

So, after a sandwich on the boat, we headed to Whaley Bridge. Whilst getting water and supplies, Barney misjudged the jump from the boat and fell in the canal. Luckily the sun was shining, so he dried off fairly quickly.

After Whaley Bridge, we went along the other branch of the Peak Forest canal to Bugsworth Canal Basin - this was really interesting, and we were tempted to spend the night there, but thought we should press on.

We're now moored in a lovely spot back near Disley, still on the Peak Forest canal - a good view over the valley, and warm evening sunshine. After a few drinks, what more could one ask for?

17 miles, 0 locks, 3 lift bridges, 4 swing bridges today.

Thursday 4th August 2011

To give Bob & Nicola a well earned rest, we've taken over Vagabond for a while. This time, we have Barney along - looking very worried in this photo!

We swapped over just north of Macclesfield, in one of the few places where there were both moorings and a car park (see tinyurl.com/dogbin for an exciting image of the car park).

The weather today has been horrible and drizzly, so we've only moved about 2 miles up the canal and moored next to a rather nice pub (see photo, though not so nice that they let dogs in...)

The rain has now stopped, and it's turning into a very pleasant evening.

Tomorrow's task is to venture up the Peak Forest canal to Whaley Bridge.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Br86 to Br 47 Macclesfield Canal

We started the day in drizzle that turned to harder rain that eventually stopped when we had to ascend the Boseley Locks.

The canal skirts Congleton without noticing that you are near a big town and continues NE to reach the 12 locks that take you to over 500ft above sea level. Part way up the locks we met a Valley Cruisers Hire Boat from Nuneaton, whom we had encountered some time ago. They are out for four weeks. Unfortunately they annoyed the boat going up ahead of us by pinching a lock from them.

The stonework on this canal is quite amazing and some of the lock walls would not look out of place at Machu Pichu.

Having climbed the only flight of locks on the canal we moored before  Macclesfield and let the dog off as he had been on the boat for a long time. He immediately disappeared into the woodland and eventually came back covered in thick mud!!

Monday 1st August 2011

Westport Lake, Trent and Mersey to Br86 Macclesfield Canal

Westport Lake is a good place to moor before heading for Harecastle tunnel. A Viking Afloat hireboat was the first to pass us this morning at some unearthly hour, even the dog wasn't awake!!

Just a short cruise to the tunnel entrance and we were second in the queue for the passage through and two other boats joined during the 45 min wait. The BW tunnel keeper was very helpful and informative and obviously enjoyed his job. He even had a pocket full of treats for dogs.  There were only two boats heading south out of the tunnel, and the first on emerging from the tunnel announced that he had picked up something on the prop half way through.

Bentley stayed inside the boat through the tunnel and seemed to be quite happy looking out through the cratch window.

Having passed through the tunnel we soon turned off onto the Macclesfield Canal and stopped for Nicola to make a quick excursion to Tesco. I stayed with the dog on the boat but when I decided to lock up and go and help carry the shopping Bentley decided to fall off the back deck into the cut!! After  a short time I managed to pull him out but he was obviously very embarrassed.

Once on the Macclesfield we headed to the marina at Sherbourne  Wharf and a very helpful young lad put a new gas cylinder in for us, saving my back!!

We continued a bit further to moor and take a short walk to Little Moreton Hall. This is a National Trust property but unfortunately closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.