Another early departure - 6.50am, on the coldest morning yet.
The first lock of the day, Trentham (11' 11" deep) was soon upon us and Mike worked the boat through alone as Tim was still arising and I was otherwise occupied. I popped out of the rear hatch to find Mike and Lawrence between them had raised the boat without me feeling a thing.
Looking back and down the way we had come
looking forward to where we are going. 4 1/2 miles before the next lock.
There were some good reflections this morning
A moorhen upon her nest. Have seen others with vastly more plastic than this.
Oh, some Poms did see it
We were soon traversing the old industrial area
Derelict buildings aplenty
And then between the 2nd and 3rd lock of the Stoke flight, a lovely old cemetery, now used as a park.
Once a ruin of a flour mill, this building at the bottom of Lock 39 is undergoing restoration
Having made the tricky turn , L slides Beatha into the lock.
Having arrived at the top of the Stoke flight, which raises the canal 50 feet, we pass Etruria Junction, with the Caldon Canal heading off on the left of the pic. This is the start of the 408' (above sea level) summit of the T&M
More derelict buildings
And on the other side of the canal, this
Just past the building above we moored up on the Burleigh/Middleport pottery visitor moorings at 9.50am. Just time to spruce up a bit before the 10.00am opening time. With L opting to thaw - it was the coldest day so far - on the boat for a bit before joining us, I made a beeline for the Burleigh store with my shopping list in hand. Unfortunately all, but not how much!, was discovered after I had a serious seniors moment and couldn't remember the Bermi post code and Tim kindly offered to go back to the boat for his address book and in doing so was caught and interrogated by Lawrence. Rhonda and George, there will be a box arriving at Number 87 in a couple of weeks. Buying spree completed and after a perusal of the show room we went to the coffee shop, where we found L ensconced having just devoured some carrot cake and halfway through a coffee and where we, including Lawrence ordered brunch.
We departed Middleport at 12.15, 3/4's of an hour ahead of schedule (now we are only one day behind L's plan). Next stop, Harecastle Tunnel. On the way we passed Westport Lake, once the leisure destination for pottery workers of old lacking the time or wherewithal to reach the more heady delights of Rhyl or Blackpool.
A family of ducks
We reached the tunnel at 1.00pm and after instructions and advice from the Tunnel Keeper only had a couple of minutes to wait before it was our turn to enter the 2.5km long tunnel. In some sections of the tunnel the roof drops down to a height of 1.8m - from water level! which mean't L had to crouch low for some long periods. Even so, he managed to traverse the whole length of the tunnel without a touch - a far cry from our first time with Betty and Geoff where we had some serious ricocheting from wall to wall moments :)
The first tunnel through Harecastle Hill was constructed by James Brindley and completed in 1777. Due to the amount of traffic and the slow process of legging Thomas Telford was commissioned to build a second tunnel which was completed in 1827. The Brindley Tunnel was closed after a partial collapse in 1914.
It took us 46mins to get through the tunnel. Once back in the daylight and some 300ms later we hit Hardings Wood Junction (where the beautiful Macclesfield Canal begins (or ends)), the end of the T&M summit and the first of 28 descending locks in the next 7 miles. We have up until now being steadily, but ever so slowly, climbing since we left Barton Marina. You may notice the water in the lock is very orange, this is due to iron leaching through the walls of the tunnel. Lock No. 41
We moored up in the pound below lock 41 for a mug of soup and so Mike and a protesting Tim could go to the nearby Tescos for provisions.
After their return we set off again and descended the next two locks. Happening upon a water point in the pound below lock 43 I waited for the boat and waved L in for a water fill. While filling I suggested to the b'day boy that we might stay there the night on the visitor moorings and take advantage of the water point by all having showers, washing etc and then going to the pub to celebrate the birthday. Sadly it was decided we should push on a little further (and some of us remain unwashed!).
We worked down another 3 locks. With two of us working the current lock and one going ahead to set the next, we made quick work of it.
Looking back up the canal to our penultimate lock of the day (no.45) were Tim and Mike are working the lock and Aqua Beatha sinks out of sight. While I have gone ahead
Checked out the view and drooled over the chocolate soil
and set the lock for Beatha's grand entrance
As we came round the sharp bend at the bottom of lock 46 we were met by the sight of a long string of dairy cows returning to the field after milking, Here framed by white blossom
Or pink blossom if you prefer!
Bridge Farm farmhouse in a lovely setting on the edge of Church Lawton
Round the bend and under said bridge (135) is the church at Church Lawton
After selecting a suitable mooring spot and tying up at 4.35pm we indulged in a not so well earnt cuppa and another of Jeans famous scones smothered in clotted cream and special Burleigh jam. L then retired for a bit of peace and quiet and Tim, Mike and I walked a little way back up the towpath and then through a field to check out the church.
Not a bad place to be buried. We went for a wander among the graves and the oldest readable one we came across was 1758!
We left the church and wandered through the small hamlet and returned to the canal via the bridge and then ambled back down the towpath in the sunlight to the boat.
12 1/4 miles, 12 locks
Belated birthday wishes Lawrence from hydewood
ReplyDelete