Having had an easy day yesterday, I'd promised L we would put in a biggie today and so we did.
Slipping quietly of our mooring at 7.45am we set off
down the canal
The chimney of Woodend Mill, and is that purple heather on the hillside?
I know, I know - but its cute little ducklings this time :)
Woodend Mill, built in the 1830's as an integrated cotton mill, now houses a vareity of small businesses
One of our last looks back at the moors
Passing through Mossley (pronounced Mozzley)
Nice reflection on the approach to Lock 12W
Though it was a bit unnerving seeing these mesh 'nets' holding up the roof in some places.
Just like the Standedge Tunnel, Scout too has nasty sharp jagged bits of rock sticking out now and then, just waiting to catch the unwary boater. You can see where boats have been chipping away at this one
Coming out of the tunnel
At lock 10W the Shire Cruiser that moored up behind Twin Sister late yesterday evening caught up with us and one of their crew came forward to help open the gates for A.B.'s exit from the lock.
Looking down the canal to lock 9W
With them breathing down our neck, we only had one more lock to go before the CRT services point where we were stopping for water and rubbish bins, so we pressed on,
The HNC and the River Tame running side by side.
Stone bridge over the bywash, just before the services point
We pulled in, carefully mooring so the Shire Cruiser boat could also access the water point, and leapt into action. In no time at all we were filling with water and while L disposed of the rubbish, I showered and washed my hair, trying to get it done before the Shire Cruiser boat arrived. But alas I was not quick enough.
However they decided to follow my example and while some used the CRT shower others used their boat shower. And as there seemed to be at least 5 of them, we were ready to go before they were. But being the nice, thoughtful people that we are, we decided to wait, even thought it would be awhile and let them go ahead.
Just as L was bringing me out a cup of coffee a boat came up in the lock ahead of us, L and I glanced at each other, all thoughts of being nice went out the window, and I jumped up and signalled the people coming out of the lock to leave the gate open, we'd be going in and with L muttering to the Shire Cruiser person holding the hose, something like we'd better get off the water point for this boat coming and we took off like scalded cats for the open lock.
The woman from the upcoming boat stayed back to help me wind the paddles up to let the water out of the lock and to ask me if we had come through Standedge Tunnel. "Yes" I said and she fired questions thick and fast.
Looming like something out of War of the Worlds , the canal took us underneath this power pylon.
Our anticipation of locks in our favour was dashed at 7W which had 3/4 drained when we reached it. A very leaky lock indeed, judging by the growth on the lock walls.
After 7W we had to make an emergency stop on the goose shit encrusted moorings opposite TESCO so L could visit the weed hatch, A.B. having developed a terrible vibration. A pile of plastic and cloth later we were ready to move on again,
As we stopped, nose into the 6W lock gates, so I could get off to fill the lock, the woman from the boat on the left came down to also ask if we had been through Standedge. Turns out she and hubby, who came down to join her, are from Melbourne. They purchased their boat, NB Idle Jack, 5 years ago and come over twice a year to spend some time on her (lucky buggers!). They are booked to go through the tunnel next week but their boat is over the height limit at the front and they were wondering how we got on as A.B is quite high in the front. They also wanted to know all the details - the Standedge Tunnel being held in awe by boaters as Everest is by climbers.
They seemed like really nice people, and I was sorry that we had to move on, being conscious that the Shire Cruiser could appear behind us at any moment.
Big bolts stopping this wall from collapsing. What I want to know is what happens when the rod rusts out?
The remains of a chimney and what remains of the Premier Mill (I think!), with the Stamford Mill chimney in the distance.
But first we had to deal with this. "What is it? Its fucking narrow" asked a suddenly concentrating skipper.
I looked over the side, nearly had a heart attack and replied "it's an aqueduct". The blue in the pic is the gunnel of A.B.!!! The lead in was so overgrown we had no idea.
Stamford Mill, obviously renewed and rejuvinated, now makes plastic mouldings
Whitelands Mill
Not renewed of rejuventated!
Bridge 107. Has anyone notice that the bridge numbers are going up, but the lock numbers are going down? Anyway, it never ceases to amaze me that they built locks and bridges to close together.
Coming out from under Bridge 111 and out of Lock 1W, the worn corner attests to the passage of time and the many thousands of times ropes from the horse drawn narrowboat days rubbed against this stone to have worn such deep grooves.
In passing under the bridge above we have now left the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and have joined the Ashton Canal.
The Cavendish Mill coming up
It was built as a cotton spinning mill and ceased production in 1934.
under this bridge and onto the Peak Forest Canal
We were very excited when we turned onto the Peak Forest Canal at 2.00pm and instead of mooring up as intended we decided to keep going. At first it was a decided improvement on the HNC
but it soon became very silted up and our progress was impeded and we had to slow down to tickover, even then we were slithering and sliding over stuff. The water was putrid and Lawrence had to go down the weed hatch twice in four miles!
A bunch of interesting boats!
Still, there were some redeeming features, like the beautiful curve
of this crossover bridge
After travelling for a little over 4 miles on the Peak Forest Canal, we called it a day at 4.00pm and moored up at Bridge 9 next to Haughton Dale Nature Reserve.
We saw lots of boats on the move today. Up until now having two boats pass was a busy day. Today we have seen at least 10. Shades of things to come when we hit the flat lands again, but then it will be more like 10 an hour.
PS L still fretting because we are 3 days behind his schedule
PSS L says I have now done 257 locks - Jeez louise and whats really depressing is that they haven't done a thing for my waistline :( :( . Speaking of which, we ate the last of Jeans fruitcake today. We have been very precious with it and managed to make it last. Thank you Jean. And the biccie cupboard that Mike and Tim stocked up before they left is nearly bare - only two packets left. We might have to actually by some before they get back!
No comments:
Post a Comment