End of the line.

After a short cruise today in fine sunny weather we’re at the top of the Peak Forest Canal, Bugsworth Basin.

Although there has still been a bit of a breeze, a legacy from yesterday’s gales, it’s been warm and sunny. Such a change from yesterday!

Across Goyt meadows this morning

There has been a watermill on this site at some time in the past, but now only the mill stream and weir is visible.

Old mill stream
We got away at around 11:00, Mags steering as Meg and I walked up to open Carr Swing Bridge.

Mags through Carr Swing Bridge 
Furness Vale Marina is the also the home of Andy Russell’s paint shed. That’ll be why there’s so many smart boats with elegant signwriting around here.



We passed quite a bit of evidence of the strength of yesterday’s wind. TV aerials hanging by their wires from chimneys, and several trees leaning at drunken angles.

Wind damage. This’ll have to come down. 

Passing under the bypass bridge carrying the A6 around Whaley Bridge, the junction where the canal splits is reached.

Whaley Bridge Junction

Right takes you to Whaley Bridge and the connection to what was the Cromford and High Peak Railway, left to Bugsworth Basin and the transhipment wharves and lime kilns that were the reason the canal was built.
Straight on is a large Tesco…

Heading towards Bugsworth, canal cottages.

We pulled up to use the services at the entrance to the basin complex, then headed up to turn in the Upper Basin, returning to moor in the Middle.
There are three main basins, with various arms and loading wharves branching off.

Looking back at the site of the gauging narrows where boat loads were calculated and tolls paid. The Wharfinger’s (wharf manager’s) house is on the right. Just this side of the house (out of sight) is a stable for the wharfinger’s horse, provided for him “…to better attend to his duties…”. Early version of a company car, then.

The Lower Basin, with Lower Basin Arm on the right.
Half a dozen boats were tied up along here, so we went right up to the Middle Basin.

Moored in the Middle Basin.
The Upper Basin and winding hole are through the arch above our fore-end. The arch behind leads to a short loading arm.

There’s lots of info about the area here, including the story of the restoration and a map of the complex.

Locks 0, miles 2