Down Bosley Locks

We had an easy trip down Bosley Locks today. All but 2 of the 12 locks were set in our favour, with boats coming up all the while.

We set off at around 10:00, 1½ hours after Gloria and Derek on NB Completely Foxed. Stopped at the water point at bridge 53, then down to the top lock to do the loo tanks and get rid of the rubbish while dropping down the lock.

By 13:00 we were moored up, on the grass section below the 48 hour moorings. I had a chat with a chap selling fenders, as we need to extend the rear fender a bit to protect the rudder, but he didn’t have what I wanted. We’re sandwiched between Amy on Black Bryony and Gloria and Derek on Completely Foxed, so the 3 dogs, Dillon, Jake and Meg have a had a high old time chasing each other up and down the towpath. That is, until the rain came. We’d done well, with only a short sharp shower as we came down the flight, but knew we were on borrowed time. It’s faired up again now, but tomorrow is supposed to be appalling.

Mag’s eye view of the bottom lock
Moored up at the bottom, before the rain.

Locks 12, miles 1½

Full Loos so off to Bosley

Friday was a fairly dry day and Carol had left me the keys to Corbiere, so I took the opportunity to refit the switches and voltmeter inside the rear hatch framing. Then rubbed down the roof edge paint contaminated by last Thursday night’s rain.

Switches, bilge pump buttons and voltmeter back on the hatch panel.
Yesterday was a wash-out, wet and windy, so no chance for any outside work. I spent a couple of hours fitted lock bolts to the drawers in the galley to prevent them flying open when we tilt if running aground…
The girls arrived back about 15:00, with Sonja’s daughter Laura but without Reg the cat. He’s spending a couple of weeks back in Shardlow. They’d been off to collect their latest business venture, a 6 lane slot car (Scalextric) racing track, fitted inside a 20 foot trailer, which can be towed to events like car rallies, race meetings and pretty well any other event where they’ll be grown up kids (like myself!) willing to pay a couple of quid to have a go. Should be good, I can’t wait to see it myself.
So now Carol wants to get back to Shardlow fairly quickly, so she can take advantage of the rest of the summer’s outdoor events.

We’re on our second loo tank, so decided to head off to Bosley today. We can do the “essentials” tomorrow at the top lock before heading down the flight. We had a couple of showers this morning but the weather cleared to give us a bright afternoon. The predominant feature was the wind, though, quite fresh from the south.

We left the girls behind, they’ll follow on later.

We had a stop at Bollington for groceries from the Co-op, and then had trouble getting unstuck from the wharf at Adelphi Mill with the wind pushing us back on again.

We continued on, through Macclesfield and on to just past Bridge 52, where we pulled over.

Snake Bridge No 29

It’s been a long day by our standards, 5 hours cruising!

Meg was glad to get off and into the bushes….

Just 200 yards behind us is NB Completely Foxed, with Gloria and Derek and Jake the dog. This is the couple we met at Higher Poynton a few days ago. I had a walk back for a chat while the dogs played.

Just the other side of bridge 52 are some private moorings, adjacent to a farm. I don’t think I’d want to be there though. Sheep and I don’t get along, since an unfortunate incident in North Wales while I was on a pony trekking holiday many years ago…

Sheepy Hollow?

We’ll drop down the locks tomorrow, and wait at the bottom for Carol to arrive, sometime in the next couple of days. Then I can help her down before we get on our way again.

Locks 0, miles 10½

A short hop to Lyme View and torrential rain

Yesterday we spent pottering about. One job we got finished was the hand flatting of the final cabin side on Corbiere. We’re just waiting for the weather now to get some colour coats on. Carol also got the new hatch side trims varnished. While out with Meg in the morning we met Gloria and Jake the collie. Gloria and husband Derek have a very smart 60 footer, and were moored up near the park at Higher Poynton. Very nice people, we’ll maybe catch up with them again further down the Macclesfield.

Gloria and Jake the Collie. He just loves the water…

Today we decided to move on a bit, but not far as Sonja is coming tonight and needs to get to us. So we chose the moorings just past Lyme View Marina, only a mile down the canal. But before we could go we had to fill with water, which involved a 300 yard reverse to the winding hole to turn around, a short trip to Higher Poynton, then turn around again to head back.

Waiting for the tanks to fill at Higher Poynton
We arrived and moored up around 13:30, and after something to eat Carol decided to paint the top edge of the cabin side on Corbiere. The weather was dry, but looking a bit dodgy, but she thought she’d take a chance.
Unfortunately, as is often the case this year, as soon as there’s fresh paint on Corbiere it started to rain. And it didn’t just rain; it was a monsoon! I was out with the dogs on Middlewood Way, and we all got soaked to the skin. Of course, the paint finish is ruined, and will have to be rubbed down and done again. Ah well.

Locks 0 miles 1.

A damp trip to Higher Poynton.

It’s been a grey, damp day today, with the heaviest spells of rain this morning. So we waited till the sky showed a hint of brightness before getting away from bridge 24.
Quite a few other boats were on the move, though. Hardier souls than us…

It was 13:30 before we finally pulled the pins and set off through the first of the 2 lift bridges today. This one’s not too bad, I counted 68 turns of the windlass to get it fully raised. The next one, Turflea Bridge, must have leaky hydraulics. 110 turns up, 48 down. It makes your arms ache a bit.

Between the bridges I spotted this sight in the field alongside. The sheep wasn’t going to let that dog anywhere near it’s youngsters…

The farmer was working in the same field and was taking no notice, so I guess he wasn’t worried about the outcome.

I’m afraid the views across the Goyt Valley were probably even more limited than last Thursday’s….
Coming into Marple Carol had to stop for Reg the cat to have a “comfort break”, and was passed by a hire boat which rapidly gained on us. I decided to let him pass, pulling over to the left and just touching bottom. I waved him through and the idiot passed us at close to full throttle, pushing us hard up on the rocky bottom and causing everything to fall off the table as we tilted over to the right. Some people have no consideration at all.

By the time I’d backed off and continued to the junction, he was just entering the top lock.

Marple Junction

At the junction there are 48 hour moorings which are always popular and only accommodate 3 boats. Passing Furness Vale on Friday I spotted a half submerged cruiser on a mooring at the marina. It had gone when we came back past. Guess where it’s finished up!


Through the junction Goyt Mill was standing impassive to the rain on the edge of the town.

Goyt Mill
We pushed on through the light but continuous drizzle, intending to stop at Higher Poynton. But of course there was no room opposite the wide, so we went another ¼ mile or so and stopped just before Hagg Footbridge, no. 16. It’s a bit shallow here, but what’s new?

I see from the Middleton Guardian that the Environment Agency have identified the chemical which killed all the fish on the Rochdale near Failsworth. The original BBC news report is here.
I hope they string the culprit up. The area hasn’t got much going for it, but at least the fishing was good, or so I’m told.

Locks 0, miles 6

Bye, Bye, Bugsworth

We stayed the weekend at Bugsworth. Saturday I took advantage of Sonja’s offer of a lift to Tesco’s near Whaley Bridge, so got a good load of shopping in. Sunday we had a visit from Mag’s sister Dot and family, then later we had Amy, Carol and Sonja (and dogs Dillon and Sealy) round for a drink to celebrate me reaching my 53rd year.

Around Bugsworth. The view from Silk Hill…
And 2 ponies.
We got off this morning, but it was nearer afternoon by the time we’d queued for water.

Away from Bugsworth.
Carol was interested in having a look at a strip of canalside land that was advertised for sale in Waterways World. So we pulled both boats in near Bridge 32 and crossed the canal to have a look. It’s a narrow wedge of rough land, with a 270 foot frontage onto the canal but unfortunately also with a public footpath crossing it. The access is also a bit of a grey area, so she decided to give it a miss.

We moved on, passing the neat Furness Vale Marina, then the not so neat New Mills Marina.

Unusual windows on NB Muddy Waters 2 at Furness Vale.
We ended up back at Bridge 24 where we stopped on the way up. The sheep were out in force on the towpath later.

Sheepish Visitors
Locks 0, miles 4

In Convoy to Bugsworth

Amy on NB Black Bryony arrived at Bridge 24 first thing this morning, having travelled up from Marple. She is the solo boater I helped up Bosley locks last Sunday. Then Carol and Sonja arrived, a little later, so we all decided to get off together. With Amy sandwiched between the other 2 boats she didn’t have to struggle with either of the last 2 swing bridges.

Through Bridge 24, Black Bryony on the left.
There’s quite a few boats moored around Furness Vale, on pontoons alongside the canal. This (and Poynton) are probably where the citizens of Manchester keep their boats.

There’s one with an unusual cratch design… Yes, it’s planked!

Surely not!
The canal still hugs the side of the Goyt valley, with views across through gaps in the trees.

Goyt Valley

There are 2 railway lines running through the valley, the lower one crosses the river on this viaduct near New Mills.

Railway Viaduct.
We arrived at Bugsworth Basin around 14:00. It’s changed a lot since we last came, about 25 years ago. Then the Inland Waterways Protection Society had been clearing overgrowth and doing some structural repairs, but the basin itself was closed. Since then it’s been cleared of debris, the area around landscaped and interpretation boards installed. It’s really a fascinating place.

Bugsworth Basin

The canal is very pretty, with a good towpath but limited mooring opportunities. With the basin at the end, it’s well worth a visit.

Locks 0, miles 4

Off the Macclesfield, onto the Peak Forest.

With the weather being pretty dismal yesterday morning, we decided to stay put. It did brighten up a bit later, allowing us to do a bit of carpentry around the rear hatch on Corbiere. During the wet spells I started on the diamond design I’m painting on the inside of the cratch board. Now it’s all blue, it needs lifting a bit, so it’ll finish up similar to the outside.

I had a bit more exploring to do in the area anyway. Running parallel to the canal is a disused railway, now converted to a footpath/ cycleway/bridleway. Great for the dogs, and with lots of access from the canal it makes for part of good circular walks, as long as you like.

The dogs on Middlewood Way
Both mornings we were here a convoy of geese sailed past from their overnight “roost”. These are being very military in their formation..

Geese in a row
And we’ve come across another odd duck. I reckon it’s a gadwall or teal, any more ideas?
Today it was a lot brighter, so we got under way at 10:45. Carol wasn’t quite ready so would follow on; that’s the last we saw of her all day!

Through occasional short light showers, we cruised up the last leg of the Macclesfield.

Higher Poynton, busy with boats as usual.
We had a comfort break for Meg just before Hawks Green, and then into Marple. You know you’re approaching the town, the impressive Goyt Mill appears over the horizon. Built as a spinning mill in 1905, it is now owned by the Peak Group and houses several small industrial units and enterprises.

Goyt Mill

At the junction we turned right, onto the Upper Peak Forest Canal.

Marple Junction

The last time we came this way we headed down the 16 Marple Locks, towards the Ashton Canal and Manchester.

Marple Top Lock. 16 locks drop the canal 214 feet.

The canal to Whaley Bridge follows the contour of the hill above the Goyt Valley. Occasional glimpses across the valley are visible through the heavy foliage. Unfortunately I couldn’t really enjoy the views as the heavens had opened and the rain was trickling down my neck.

Across the Goyt Valley

We pulled over (onto mud, the guide book is right, the Upper Peak Forest is narrow and shallow!) to let the showers pass over and wait for Carol to catch up. There’re 4 swing or lift bridges between Marple and Whaley Bridge, and they’re difficult to do on your own. No sign of her after 45 minutes, so I gave her a call. She’d not yet reached Marple, and would most probably be stopping there for the night. So we pushed on on our own, through the first 2 lift bridges and moored for the night just past the second, bridge 24.

Moored near Bridge 24.

It’s not a bad spot, but quite busy with cyclists and walkers.

These two weren’t expected, though!
Locks 0, miles 7¾

Shower hopping through Macclesfield and Bollington.

We were woken up last night by a huge roll of thunder and flash of lightening as a storm opened up above us. Meg opened one eye and went back to sleep, I contemplated the fact that we were in a steel boat, on water, with the TV aerial up, and an electrical storm was raging overhead. Then I went back to sleep. Que sera, sera.

The weather had cleared this morning, and we were on our way by 11:00. The Macclesfield is very green at this time of year, trees overhanging the channel and meadows either side.

Clark Lane Snake Bridge

Coming into Macclesfield, there has been a collapse of a retaining wall, closing the towpath. Work has started on shoring up the remaining sections with buttresses, but I guess repairing the breach is going to take some heavy machinery.

Collapse near Bridge 41

Just beyond this, one of a row of cottages has an unusual item of garden furniture. It certainly beats the imitation well and plastic gnomes!
I spotted two boats today, deserving of the SBDA.
This one near Swettenham Wharf in Macclesfield….
And this one at Kerridge Wharf. Some useful logs on the roof….
Also at Kerridge is this narrowboat representation of Captain Nemo’s famous submarine…
We stopped at Bollington for a visit to the Co-op, waited for a couple of heavy showers to pass, then pushed on for another hour or so.

Clarence Mill, Bollington
We moored between bridges 19 and 20. A quiet spot, but shallow. We just got tied up as another heavy shower came over. We’ve done well to avoid them today, travelling in the sunny spells. It’s been quite breezy, though, making it a bit cooler than the last couple of days.
Locks 0, miles 9½

Three trips up Bosley Locks in glorious sunshine….

It’s been a cracking weekend for weather, hot and sunny, with just a short shower first thing this morning.
With Carol stopping at Buglawton, there was no Corbiere work to do, so I had quite a lazy weekend. That is, apart from a couple of long training runs, good walks with Meg, painting the inside of the cratch board (now a fetching shade of blue), and helping a solo boater up the locks on Sunday morning.

Today we waited until 10 before getting off, into Bosley Bottom lock and on up the flight. We had a pretty uneventful run up, steady away, arriving at the top at 12:15.
Mags got hold of Carol on the phone when we reached the top, she’d just started at the bottom. So, after filling with water and emptying what needed emptying, I moored up and left Mags on the boat to go and help Carol. It’s hard work doing locks on your own anyway, but these are particularly difficult, having mitre gates at both ends and not much opportunity for mooring to set the locks up.
Carol had got the first 3 done by the time I arrived, and we had a good run up the remaining 9, arriving for the third time (for me) at around 15:30.

In Bosley Locks
We moved on a short way from the top of the locks, and moored for the night before Crow Holt Bridge.

After a much deserved beer, Carol decided to try out a syphon device she’d bought at the weekend. Corbiere’s gearbox oil needs changing, and the drain plug is all but impossible to get at and remove. So the simple solution is to suck the old oil out through the filler hole. The sucker worked, so that’s another job done. It’ll need doing again shortly, as there’s evidence of water in the old stuff, but we’ve no idea how long it’s been in there.

Moving on to north of Macclesfield tomorrow.

Locks 12, miles 1½

Corbiere’s new fender, and on to Bosley.

We’ve had a pretty uneventful couple of days. Yesterday I spent pottering about, doing odds and ends on Seyella. Then, when Carol arrived later in the day, we fitted the new front fender.

Corbiere’s new bow fender in all it’s glory.
It’ll have a chance to get “bedded in” going up the 12 locks at Bosley!

First thing this morning I set off up Mow Cop, in company with both dogs and Laura, Sonja’s daughter who’s with us for a few days. Although it was breezy, it was quite a warm climb and the dogs were glad of a drink when we got to the top.

Breakfast at Mow Cop

Mow Cop Castle
We got back down before lunchtime and were on our way by noon. The first priority was a bit of shopping, so we made a stop on the North side of Congleton, at High Town, were there’s a handy selection of shops just a stone’s throw from the canal.

Coming into Congleton
The bridge in the distance is a “snake” bridge. This is the local name for bridges that allow the towpath to change sides without having to unhitch the towrope from the horse. They are variously known as roving, turnover or changeline bridges, depending on where you are.

Between Congleton and Bollington there’s a mile straight, and you can see the bridge arches disappearing into the distance.

Long Straight

We moved on another couple of miles through pleasant countryside, arriving at the bottom of Bosley Locks at 16:00. We’ll stay here tonight, and decide when to go up the locks later. The day has been fine and dry again, but it’s starting to get heavy, with grey clouds. Thunder is forecast overnight.

Locks 0, miles 7