We set off at 8.30am under a leaden sky heading down the Macclesfield Canal on part of a 23 mileish long pound the stretches from Bugsworth Basin on the Upper Peak Forest Canal to the start of the Bosley Lock flight on the Macclesfield.
We have been 518 feet above sea level all day on a twisting route along the contour.
About to set off
We were soon out in the countryside
On rare occassion the towpath doubles as someone's driveway
Before long it started to drizzle and the distant views were merely hinted at
A Boaters shed, L was so busy trying to take it all in we nearly hit the bridge
We are getting back to the good country and the sheep are starting to reappear
Many more boats on the move today, at least 12. It is good practice for when we hit the Cheshire Plains again where there will be heaps of boat traffic.
I think it was around 11.30 that it started to rain in earnest and by 12.00 we had enough and moored up to wait it out. Within the hour the rain had passed and we set off again.
The sky had cleared a little, offering enticing glimpses of distant hills
This family was ready if the rain came again
Sheep coming thick and fast now, with chunky little lambs at foot
No locks, so this was a day for soaking up the scenery
West Bollington away on the right, we will get there eventually
The massive and ornate cotton mill, Clarence Mill in Bollington built by the Swindells (I kid you not) in the 1850s
Looking down into Bollington from the Bollington Aqueduct and embankment
Ooh aah, garden art
The equally ornate Adelphi Mill, near Bollington Wharf, also built by the Swindells as a cotton mill.
Canal version of a petrol station and they had a pump out facility that Lawrence ignored. L is a person who is happy to live with just one spare toilet roll in the cupboard, I like at least two packets. Similarly with the waste tank on the boat; L doesn't think we need to pump it out until its full - I start fretting when it hits the 3/4 mark. And guess what - it's hit the 3/4 mark and I'll be searching for, and pointing out every pumpout opportunity from now until Lawrence gives in just to shut me up.
L is a person who is happy to live with just one spare toilet roll in the cupboard, I like at least two packets. Similarly with the waste tank on the boat; L doesn't think we need to pump it out until its full - I start fretting when it hits the 3/4 mark. And guess what - it's hit the 3/4 mark and I'll be searching for, and pointing out every pumpout opportunity from now until Lawrence gives in just to shut me up. Just like spare toilet rolls, I'm a firm believer in spare space in the waste tank in case of emergency! (We are eating English food after all!)
Enough toilet talk here is a typical English jigsaw scene!
Little lambs up to no good
Small village in the distance
Kerridge Drydock, formerly known as Endon Wharf was a busy site where locally quarried stone was loaded onto boats. In 1912 a large breach occurred in the canal opposite the wharf, draining the whole 23 mile pound between Bugsworth and Bosley Locks and Bollington suffered considerable damage. 160 boat-loads of clay puddle were brought into mend the breach. In stark contrast to the Middlewich breach over a century later, it took three weeks as opposed to 12 months to repair.
A crossover, or a turnover bridge as they are sometimes referred to.
Into open country again
Coming up to Brook Street Wharf, Macclesfield
A bit of a squeeze passing the moored boat
Stone retaining wall in the cutting leaving Macclesfield
We moored up at Gurnett at 2.30pm. after a very relaxed but wet cruise.
We are moored on the aqueduct over the road and can look down into the village of Gurnett
Had a very good dinner at the Kings Head pub, just below the canal.
14 miles, 0 locks, 6 hours.
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