Going South-Down The Macclesfield Canal

We retraced our steps and moored up at High Lane for the weekend as we knew we could get satellite TV and we just had to watch the last one of Torchwood- we couldn't miss the end. Also High Lane has shops including several takeaways and there are several pubs. Eiddwen and I caught the bus into Stockport for some retail therapy. I needed some Blank CD's to put some photos on and to make a back up copy of 'My Documents' on my laptop. My laptop is working fine although the battery doesn't last that long compared to when it was new. We caught the bus back to High Lane and we had a free trip as it was a replacement bus for one which had broken down- we thought the driver was joking when he said nobody had to pay.

Ben the dog likes it at High Lane too as there's a playing field next to the canal where we can play ball and there's a stream alongside the one side which provides him with drinks and a wash as well. We met lots of dogs there stretching their legs. We moved on and stopped at Higher Poynton to refill the water tank as the washer drier did the washing while we cruised. Ben and I played ball in the playing field by the water point while the tanks slowly filled.

Moving on again slowly as the water's shallow and the bank eroded in places. Lots of boats on the move today and they all got up much earlier than us and now there's no room on the visitor moorings. Well there were half a boat spaces between boats at Gurnett Aqueduct Visitor Moorings and if they moved closer we could have got in but it wasn't worth the hassle. One tug style boat sat in the middle of a two boat space - the same couple we met at a water point worried we might get close and scratch their boat. Not a very friendly lot of boaters up here today!

We finally found a spot where we could get in the side of the canal and moored up on the 'armco' behind a couple of other boats. We timed it well as the rain came down when we were safely inside.

Bugsworth Basin

NB Bendigedig In Bugsworth Basin

NB Shush Reversing

Another Part Of The Basin

We left Higher Poynton and moved on slowly, this canal is quite shallow and it's impossible to move quickly. I walked alongside the boat with Ben the dog for an hour before getting back aboard. NB Shush went ahead and turned onto the Peak Forest Canal and headed for Whaley Bridge. We watered up, did the cassettes, got rid of the rubbish and turned around with a lady waiting to fend us off her very shiny boat if we came too close- we didn't. We decided against staying on the visitor moorings although there was room. it was next to a very busy road.

We stopped at Tesco's to get some shopping before heading off to Bugsworth Basin which turned out to be a much better place to moor up for 48 hours. It was really quiet although there were quite a few boats moored up. I explored the Tramway Walk with Ben the dog and came back along the road to Buxworth Village. I don't know why the name has a different spelling in the village. It's a pleasant place to stay and quite interesting reading all the blurb in the leaflet from BW and going to have a look at this historical industrial site.

We had to leave as our time was up and Alan reversed out first to get some water and turn around in 'The Wide' as it's called. We followed a little later and heads popped up watching that we didn't touch their boats as we slowly reversed back. We turned around ready to leave and moored up to use the services. Once the water tank was full again we headed off with NB Shush leading the way- no locks today , just swing and lift bridges as we retraced our steps back along the Peak Forest Canal onto the Macclesfield to find a nice spot for the weekend.

Sally And Bob's Wedding

Happy Faces

Enjoying the disco 'Sit down next to me!'

We've just returned from south Wales - we left Ben the dog in the capable hands of Alan and Eiddwen on NB Shush and they said he was very good boy. They also looked after our boat and kept the batteries charged so the food was OK in the fridge and freezer. Many thanks to you both once again. If you read NB Shush's blog you'll know where we've been- to our daughter Sally's wedding to Bob at Maes Manor in Blackwood.

We left Higher Poynton in Cheshire at 11.00am and were in Newport, south wales by 15.30 pm which involved a bus to Stockport and train via Bristol Parkway. It was all planned with an excellent site called Traveline which has information on travel in the British Isles. The return journey went without a hitch too.

We arrived in Newport where Sally met us and took us to her house with a quick detour to see Eric's sister Paula and her daughter Dannielle. Paula's dogs greeted us enthusiastically as usual as did Sally's and Bob's dog Sam when we arrived. We always feel as though we need oxygen at the top of the steep steps leading to the house- we're not used to stairs or steps anymore and it also took Sally and Bob a while to get used of this ascent. Sally and Bob took us out for a meal and we had a few drinks before it was time to head home- the bride to be needed her beauty sleep.

The morning quickly came and Sally left for the hairdresser's leaving us to walk the dog. We didn't know where we were going but Sam showed us the way he usually goes with Sally leading us back home after three quarters of an hour. Now it was our turn to get ready for the wedding as the taxi was coming at just after two pm. Clare came to get out of her motorbike gear and become a lady and travel to the hotel with us. Needless to say the rain came down just as we were leaving the house.

The journey was speedy and we were soon dropped of at the door of the hotel where it was all happening. I went up to see Sally in their room at the hotel and she looked stunning in her lovely dress. Downstairs the guests were congregating and soon it was time for us to go into the room prepared for the ceremony. The bridesmaid's came down the aisle , Lisa carried Gwen she didn't want to walk the way she needed to go. Eric proudly walked his daughter down the aisle. It was a lovely service with lots of smiles as the service progressed and finally they were man and wife.

Photographs followed inside due to torrential rain but it didn't spoil their day. The reception followed with lovely food and wine and we had a really good time with Eric glad that his speech was over. A disco followed and although it was rather loud (a sign of age!), we thoroughly enjoyed the music and even got up and danced until the old knees and feet rebelled. Someone commented on Eric doing the twist- I think these youngsters forget we were young once!

On The Macclesfield Canal

NB Bendigedig

Passing In Bosley Pound

First of all we did a food shop then it was one more lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal before a sharp turn right onto the Macclesfield Canal. This runs parallel to the T &M for a short distance before a sharp left turn takes you on an aqueduct over the T & M. The first thing you notice is the water's not stained orange anymore and we had just a stop lock to do a bit further on. The progress is also much slower as the canal is shallow. Ben and I had a short walk just ahead of the boats and then we got on - it was just far too hot. Moored up At Congleton Wharf in the afternoon and followed a footpath sign in the evening to take Ben for a walk when it got a bit cooler. We had the last space so NB Shush breasted up next to us.

After a quiet night we left Congleton Wharf after I'd taken Ben for a short walk down a nice shady lane I found. It was next to a golf course and Ben would have loved to run on the greens! Now we're seeing hills again and lots of greenery and there's ten locks to negotiate- Bosley Locks. At first we were in luck as there was a couple of boats coming down but after four locks we had to empty each lock before we could use it as they were against us. The scenery was lovely but in this heat locks are hard going. We met some Americans from Arizona and they said they'd seen more greenery in four days on the canals than the last six years in Arizona. Ben had an unexpected dip in the canal when he leaned in to get a drink and all of him went in. He got himself out before I got to him and promptly shook all over me. One way to get cool I suppose.

We had a lunch stop just before the Top Lock and then we worked through it. A boat was coming down, they moored up on the bollards and the four adults stayed on board until we were leaving the lock- obviously afraid they might be asked to help. We used the services and then we were on our way again looking for a nice place to stop. We came across floating clumps of weeds and canal banks damaged by someone travelling too fast. Finally we stopped at Lyme Green overnight and we'll be looking for a nice place to moor for the weekend.

I'm Now A Proper Boater- I Fell In!

Another busy day with sixteen locks worked through. Ben and I walked between the locks which were closer together and rode on the boat if they were a good distance apart. We had a lunch stop at Church Lawton before continuing through the last six locks and stopping just after 'The Red Bull' pub. The locals were drinking pints outside next to the lock- oh I really wanted a nice cool drink and then it poured with rain and they all rushed inside.

Little did I know at the time but ten minutes later I was really cool. We were mooring up to go food shopping and I went to step on the boat to get the Pearson's guide and I missed. YES I FELL IN! Up to my neck in dirty, orange and rather smelly canal water- it actually felt cold! Eric and Alan reacted quickly and grabbed my hands and hauled me out. I quickly dripped into the shower and got my wet stuff off and had a nice hot shower. Two showers in one day- good job we filled up with water at Red Bull Services. Dirty clothes are now in the washing machine too.

Tonight I need a medicinal drink to calm my nerves (an excuse if one was needed), so we're off to the pub with Alan & Eiddwen. I scraped my back and collected a few bruises but I'm fine- I'll live to fight another day!

No Food At 'The Romping Donkey' On Monday!

We left Wheelock going up the ten locks to Hassall Green. A good day as all the locks were for us and in some cases the gates were left open by the boat leaving the lock. BW has been busy on these paired locks since we last came this way and it shows with well maintained gear and gates. We took just over three and a half hours with to work the locks. Ben and I walked most of the way, just getting on for a ride under the M6- it was lovely and cool under it too.

At Hassall Green we spied the 'Romping Donkey' which has good food! Alan went to have a quick look and found the bitter off and the kitchen closed this evening as the coolers had failed. We'll have to sample the food another day-what a disappointment!

The rumble of the M6 can be heard but nevertheless a pleasant place to overnight. I visited the shop for pop and ice creams and it's so hot! I bought my dad a postcard to add to his collection and posted it off to him.

Weekend At Wheelock

Leaving Middlewich on Saturday and heading for peace and quiet, we worked through four locks and stopped briefly at Northwich Boats to get some replacement boats for the back hatch. One of the cranked bolts had snapped- it was weakened when we tried to open the hatch with the bolt still in place. We chatted to a couple looking at the boats before deciding which boat builder they were going to use and answered their questions.

Then we headed off to Wheelock to use the services before finding a spot to moor for the rest of the weekend. We ended up moored near a busy road but it's quieter than Middlewich as it's on a flyover. We couldn't face doing any more locks as it was so hot and it was near to the shop to get a Sunday paper.

The locks from Wheelock are duplicated being two narrow locks side by side, but often one of them is unusable but when I walked up to Malkin's Bank there were actually two chambers in use. Ben and I enjoyed several short walks up the locks and he met quite a few dogs to sniff. Being the weekend the cyclists are out in force so I had to keep him on a long lead. Wheelock has a useful Pet Superstore where we bought a big bag of complete dog food. They had lots of lovely dog beds too but it's a no go with Ben as he thinks they are to destroy-he's not happy until all the filling is out.