Opposite the junction is this canal sign. We've done 23 miles since exiting the Anderton Lift on Saturday!
Remember the Aqueduct in Pt1 of today's blog? Here it is and we are about to cruise across it
Looking from the aqueduct back down to lock 43 on the T&M
And looking over the top of AL up the T&M to lock 42
Up the Mac we go, it has a very different feel to the T&M.
There was one final lock to do for the day. Hall Green Lock, hugely deep at 12 inches!
This is where the T&M and the Macclesfield formally meet. Far from welcoming trade which the new Macclesfield might bring down it, the T&M saw only a threat. Feeling they would be in a stronger position if the Mac was not able to gain access to their main line, the owners of the T&M built a connecting arm out to meet the newcomer at Hall Green. Here both companies regarded each other with mistrust across a 'Checkpoint Charlie' of paired stop locks, paired Lockkeepers cottages and paired stable blocks. All that remains now is one stop lock and the two cottages
After the lock we stopped briefly for water. This was only a mild squirter
Stone bridge, no 92
And this one straight after
Canal side cottages in the distant
Same cottages
Something on a grander scale Ramsden Hall (c1760)
As we passed the Hall we started looking for a mooring, we found one and moored up at 5.50'
With this view across the canal
The hill in the background is Mow Cop famous for the folly on its brow, which we can see clearly, but my little iPad can't.
We are completely knackered, besides the 27 locks, I estimate that I walked 5 miles. With about 8 locks to go, when the breeze had dropped, we worked out a system whereby L. would close the gate and a paddle after AL had exited the lock meanwhile I was walking to the next lock to start setting it.
Needless to say we are feeling pretty pleased with ourselves. Lawrence cooked fab Thai chicken for dinner. It went down a treat. The downside is I have to do the dishes and bed is calling.
9 1/2 miles, 27 locks in 9hrs.30min
Margy & Lawrence we are just relishing your descriptive day by day adventures. Photos are great. You both look so experienced and comfortable on the canals.
ReplyDeleteGeoff loved his steam hit ! What amazing machines. We are contending with very high river and expecting it to rise 2 to 3 feet. Wettest Sept on record for Vic on record.