Catch Up Time

Apologies to all you Blogerites out there for us not updating the site recently. We have been enjoying ourselves too much!

Friday 4 July

After tackling the 12 Bosely locks yesterday it was a lock free run for the rest of the route to the end of the Macclesfield canal. We passed through Marple that was the limit of our last trip on the Mac with our previous boat.

A typical mill on the Mac

We then joined the Peak Forest canal that presented us with some stunning scenery.

 

And some obstacles!

Along the way we spotted a fender maker so stopped and got him to make us a replacement 'Monkey's Fist' that is used to prevent damage to the rudder post when the stern hatch is lifted. The existing one has been on for four years and had become a little jaded.

The new one

 

 

We decided to moor at Bugsworth Basin tonight as we were told that Whaley Bridge was a bit dark and noisy. A good choice as the basin has been lovingly restored from the time it was abandoned after 100 years of producing burnt lime. It was a vital raw material for building, farming and the booming textile and tanning industries. It is split into the lower, middle and upper basins. We chose the upper basin as there is no thoroughfare for Gongoozelers here!

No TV signal here to watch the quarter finals so it was into the Navigation that is just behing our berth. We also eat there as it was too wet to walk through the woods to the recommended The Old Hall Inn.

Saturday 5 July

This morning we explored the basin and then walked along the canal to Whaley Bridge.

Enjoying a coffee looking out onto the railway station, the Jodrell Arms and a public loo!

 

We had seen numerous notices for Well Dressings along the Mac and stumbled across one in the village. It is a typical Peak District tradition that the church took over from the Pagans who believed that wells were sacred. They are mostly made from pebbles and leaves and each year a different theme is chosen. This year is to commemorate the First Word War.

 



 

Lunchtime we walked up to the Old Hall Inn and enjoyed a fabulous shared ploughman's lunch Baxter's bitter. This pub is a must for anyone visiting the area, well worth the walk.

After leaving Bugsworth it was back to Marple where we walked down the whole flight of 16 locks to the aqueduct.

We have since learnt that the flight of Ashton  locks are closed for at least two weeks due to the tail gate of lock 10 being damaged. There were no signs anywhere warning users of the Marple flight of the problem that would preclude them travelling the Cheshire ring!

Sunday 6 July

This morning we welcomed aboard Sarah and the two Grandchildren Joe and Martha from nearby Manchester complete with their brightly coloured lifejackets. They have been excited all week about the prospect of coming onto a barge. Off we set with a suitable supply of bread in order to feed the ducks along the way.

The famous Goyt mill at Marple

 

We stopped at Higher Poynton in order to visit the Anson Motor Museum houses a unique collection of over 250 gas and oil engines, many maintained in running order. Take a look.

 

What a crankshaft!

 

An up to date Bentley 12 cylinder 6Ltr engine

A working forge

Making a wrought iron shaft

James joined us later to take in a delightful meal in the garden of the Windmill at Lyme Green.

 

Thanks crew!

 

Monday 7 July

Today was a day for retracing our tracks back down the lower part of the Macclesfield canal.

 

A Turnover bridge

 

We wanted to revisit the National Trust's Little Moreton Hall but sadly it does not open until Wednesday so we humped across the farmer's fields just to take a look from the outside. It is one of England's most celebrated half-timbered houses.

 

Tonight we are moored at the foot of Ramsdell Hall the present owner being Peter Coates, a 'Potteries boy made good' and currently chairman of Stoke City Football Club.