The final leg on our cruise apart from a 30min journey tomorrow. The weather was dry but cold and windy when we set off from the Wedgwood works at 9:55. There followed an uneventful cruise to the 4 Meaford locks which descend towards Stone.
However we arrived at the 3rd lock to find that the subsequent pound (stretch of canal between 2 locks) was completely drained. A boat coming up the locks had tried to empty lock 4 prior to entering but had failed to notice that the top gates had been left open. This took about 40 minutes to sort out as we had to flush water through from the upper pounds to refill the canal sufficiently for boats to travel through without grounding.
The problem fixe,d we moved on to Stone and were very pleased to find that the moorings were empty - the first time we have ever seen this.
4 miles, 8 locks 3hrs 25 mins.
As tomorrow is a minimal journey there will be no further blogs until we start on our big summer cruise later in May.
Sunday, 29 April 2018
Saturday, 28 April 2018
Barlaston
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| The canal appears to enter the Stoke incinerator |
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| Alpacas grazing next to our mooring |
After yesterday's wash-out when we didnt move at all we were happy to start off early at 8:45. We reached Harecastle Tunnel some 20 minutes later and were able to go straight in without a wait. After 40 minutes in the dark we emerged into the open air in Stroke on Trent. Then down the deep Stoke Locks and eventually out into the countryside arriving at the Wedgwood factory at Barlaston at 13:45. The weather had been dry for the whole journey and we were pleased to get within a day's cruise of our home mooring.
Totals: 11.4 miles, locks, 5 hours travelling
Thursday, 26 April 2018
Back to Kidsgrove
Heavy rain all day is forecast for Friday. So we have to make plans on the assumption that we wont be moving that day. This is where boating life gets complicated. On Tuesday we shopped in Macclesfield buying sufficient food to last until Friday. The only major shopping opportunity before our journey's end on Monday/Tuesday is at Kidsgrove. But we need to be there before Saturday in order to get back on time. So that leaves us little choice but to aim for Kidsgrove today and buy sufficient food with suitable use-by dates to last us until early next week.
We left our mooring at 9am heading into a strong cold wind and arrived at our previous moorings in Kidsgrove at 1:30. On the way we were able to stop to get the boat's waste tank pumped out and the fresh water tank filled. So a good days work culminating in the 10 minute walk to Tesco and a search for the longer life groceries we needed.
Totals: 9.6 mile
We left our mooring at 9am heading into a strong cold wind and arrived at our previous moorings in Kidsgrove at 1:30. On the way we were able to stop to get the boat's waste tank pumped out and the fresh water tank filled. So a good days work culminating in the 10 minute walk to Tesco and a search for the longer life groceries we needed.
Totals: 9.6 mile
Wednesday, 25 April 2018
Back down the Bosley Locks
Last night's meal at the 16th century Sutton Hall 10 minutes walk from our moorings at the Gurnet Aqueduct was excellent and well complemented by the range of small brewery beers.
Today we continued our journey homewards. Bad weather was forecast for later in the day so we started early at 8:25 reaching the top of the 12 Bosley locks at 10:00. Despite a quick shower of rain and the need for us to fill most of the locks before entering we reached the bottom without difficulty in 2 hours and stopped soon afterwards on the large embankment which crosses the Dane Valley beneath the landmark hill known as The Cloud.
As is so often the case the scale of the engineering works is partly hidden by trees blocking off the view. However I was able to walk down to the river Dane and get a photograph of the impressive aqueduct carrying the canal over the river. Furtunately the rain held off until I got back to the boat.
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| Moored on the Dane Valley embankment |
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| Aqueduct carrying the canal over the River Dane |
As is so often the case the scale of the engineering works is partly hidden by trees blocking off the view. However I was able to walk down to the river Dane and get a photograph of the impressive aqueduct carrying the canal over the river. Furtunately the rain held off until I got back to the boat.
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
23rd/24th April - Macclesfield and Bollington
Two days in one report, sadly I forgot yesterday's blog as I was stressed, more anon.
23rd:
We left our mooring near Bosley at 9:20 in cool weather under overcast skies. Our aim was to reach Macclesfield where we would be able to shop the following morning. The canal overlooks Macclesfield as it enters the town, but the industrial views are not particularly interesting though as the picture shows there are some quite attractive sections.
In previous trips to Macclesfield there was nowhere to moor but in the past few years a section of pontoon moorings have been built for visiting boaters. However when we arrived these were full so we had no choice but to carry on. The next possible moorings with some shopping facilities were at Bollington some 3 miles further on. The canal was very shallow and our speed low so we arrived at Bollington some 1.5 hours later. Again all the moorngs were full. We tried to get into the bank just outside the village but only succeeded in grounding Densie some distance from the side. So we had to move on yet another half mile or so before we were able to find attractive and accessible countryside moorings.
Total 8.3 miles, 1 lift bridge 4 hours cruising
24th:
Rain forecast from lunchtime today so we set off earlier than usual at 8:50 and travelled another 20 minutes to reach a winding hole where we could turn the boat around. ANd then back through Bollington towards Macclesfield. The rain started earlier than forecast but we were surprised and delighted to find that there was one available slot on the Macclesfield pontoon moorngs. Firtunately the rain was not too heavy so were able to walk the half mile or so to a large Tesco where we stocked up for the next few days.
Despite the rain, which has getting heavier, we set off again just before lunch and arrived after a bit more than a mile's cruising at Gurnet Aqueduct where we moored up for the day, the rain now beng too heavy for enjoyable cruising. Last time we were here in 2012 we had a very good meal at the nearby Sutton Hall pub/restaurant, so despite the rain we plan to walk there this evening to check that standards have been maintained.
Total 6.1 miles 3 hours cruising
23rd:
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| Cruising through Macclesfield |
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| Visiting duck slipping off the boat pole |
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| Our first ducklings of the year |
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| Travelling through the hills between Macclesfield and Bollington |
We left our mooring near Bosley at 9:20 in cool weather under overcast skies. Our aim was to reach Macclesfield where we would be able to shop the following morning. The canal overlooks Macclesfield as it enters the town, but the industrial views are not particularly interesting though as the picture shows there are some quite attractive sections.
In previous trips to Macclesfield there was nowhere to moor but in the past few years a section of pontoon moorings have been built for visiting boaters. However when we arrived these were full so we had no choice but to carry on. The next possible moorings with some shopping facilities were at Bollington some 3 miles further on. The canal was very shallow and our speed low so we arrived at Bollington some 1.5 hours later. Again all the moorngs were full. We tried to get into the bank just outside the village but only succeeded in grounding Densie some distance from the side. So we had to move on yet another half mile or so before we were able to find attractive and accessible countryside moorings.
Total 8.3 miles, 1 lift bridge 4 hours cruising
24th:
Rain forecast from lunchtime today so we set off earlier than usual at 8:50 and travelled another 20 minutes to reach a winding hole where we could turn the boat around. ANd then back through Bollington towards Macclesfield. The rain started earlier than forecast but we were surprised and delighted to find that there was one available slot on the Macclesfield pontoon moorngs. Firtunately the rain was not too heavy so were able to walk the half mile or so to a large Tesco where we stocked up for the next few days.
Despite the rain, which has getting heavier, we set off again just before lunch and arrived after a bit more than a mile's cruising at Gurnet Aqueduct where we moored up for the day, the rain now beng too heavy for enjoyable cruising. Last time we were here in 2012 we had a very good meal at the nearby Sutton Hall pub/restaurant, so despite the rain we plan to walk there this evening to check that standards have been maintained.
Total 6.1 miles 3 hours cruising
Sunday, 22 April 2018
Bosley Locks
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| Cruising towards Bosley Locks |
The weather forecast predicted heavy rain around 11am so we stayed at our moorings near Congleton until the bad weather had passed. We set off at 11:50 and continued along the scenic Macclesfield Canal arriving at Bosley Bottom Lock at 1:20pm after lunch on the move.
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| View of The Cloud from the Bosley locks |
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| Densie at Lock 6, Bosley flight |
We could have moored there for the day but decided to complete the 12 Bosley locks during the afternoon. Unfortunately every lock needed emptying before we could enter so we were pleased that the ascent only took us about 2 hours. These locks are well engineered being designed by Thomas Telford and provide attractive views across the surrounding hilly countryside. We moored beyond the top of the Bosley locks giving us an easy cruise to Macclesfield tomorrow.
Saturday, 21 April 2018
Tesco and Congleton
After breakfast we walked the half mile to Tesco to stock up with provisions for the next 3 days. By 11am we were back on the boat and on the move in yet more glorious boating weather. Blue sky, slight breeze, but not too hot.
In half a mile we ascended through the 1 foot high Hall Green stop lock and then below the bridge that carried a tramway, probably for stone from the nearby quarries, over the canal. The scenery is improving as we move towards the Penines with views of high hills on the right hand side and the Cheshire plain in the left with Jodrell Bank on the horizon.
After 6 miles we entered the town of Congleton with the first sight of a characteristic Macclesfield Canal roving bridge where the towpath crosses to the other side of the canal. These roving bridges are designed so that a horse can cross over without being untied from the boat.
We moored as 13:45 just beyond Congleton on the top of a high embankment with great views to both sides.
Totals: 6 miles 1 lock
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| The 1 foot Hall Green Lock |
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| Tramway Brtidge |
In half a mile we ascended through the 1 foot high Hall Green stop lock and then below the bridge that carried a tramway, probably for stone from the nearby quarries, over the canal. The scenery is improving as we move towards the Penines with views of high hills on the right hand side and the Cheshire plain in the left with Jodrell Bank on the horizon.
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| Roving bridge transferring towpath from the right hand side to the left. |
We moored as 13:45 just beyond Congleton on the top of a high embankment with great views to both sides.
Totals: 6 miles 1 lock
Friday, 20 April 2018
Stoke, Harecastle Tunnel, and the Macclesfield Canal
When we left our moorings at Barlaston the weather was surprisingly cloudy, cool and breezy. Fortunately in an hour or so the sun had emerged and temperatures rose.
We cruised north through Stoke on Trent reaching Westport Lake where we often moor. Since it was only lunchtime we decided to eat on the move and travel onwards to the 1.75 mile Harecastle Tunnel where we had a half hour wait before we were allowed in - there is no room for boats to pass. It took us a reasonable 40 minutes to reach the other end at Kidsgrove. Here we turned off the Trent & Mersey Canal onto the Macclesfield Canal, the main objective of our journey. We have moored about half a mile from Tesco which will provide the only opportunity to shop for a couple of days.
Totals - 6 locks, 12.4 miles
We cruised north through Stoke on Trent reaching Westport Lake where we often moor. Since it was only lunchtime we decided to eat on the move and travel onwards to the 1.75 mile Harecastle Tunnel where we had a half hour wait before we were allowed in - there is no room for boats to pass. It took us a reasonable 40 minutes to reach the other end at Kidsgrove. Here we turned off the Trent & Mersey Canal onto the Macclesfield Canal, the main objective of our journey. We have moored about half a mile from Tesco which will provide the only opportunity to shop for a couple of days.
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| In Stoke Botttom Lock |
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| Moored on the Macclesfield Canal near Kidsgrove |
Thursday, 19 April 2018
Our first 2018 trip - Densie has been repainted!
After the long winter and the Beast from the East we are out again in warm sunny weather. Unfortunately this is not as planned and so we have brought too many sweaters and not enough light tee shirts and short trousers. Never mind it is very pleasant cruisng.
Last October Densie was repainted and new double-glazed windows were installed. It feels like a new boat. We set off from Aston Marina at 9:10 and turing north to travel through Stone towards Stoke on Trent. After 4 hours we stopped at the village of Barlaston after a trip of 5.6 miles and 9 locks.
A couple of pictures:
A view showing the new colour scheme.
I have been meaning to post a picture of this bridge at Meaford Top Lock just north of Stone for a while. The bridge is little wider than a car so the carefuly painted dotted line down the centre of the road looks very odd. A shame that new tarmac has obscured some of it
Last October Densie was repainted and new double-glazed windows were installed. It feels like a new boat. We set off from Aston Marina at 9:10 and turing north to travel through Stone towards Stoke on Trent. After 4 hours we stopped at the village of Barlaston after a trip of 5.6 miles and 9 locks.
A couple of pictures:
A view showing the new colour scheme.
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| Densie in Yard Lock in Stone |
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