Day 20 - Stoke

A day of being a tourist in Stoke

Monday 22nd June

Wet, wet, wet and windy. Decided to stay another night in the marina and get the washing and ironing from the weekend up together.



Spitfire

Took a taxi to the museum and art gallery which was exceptionally good. Took in the pottery floor first - too many pieces to absorb but particularly fascinated by two personal collections that had been donated, they were 600+ cream jugs in the shape of cows(they could be adopted, shame Anna is too young to appreciate it) and a collection of 300 frog mugs that is a mug with at least one ceramic frog in it. Apparently people used to put live frogs in each other's beer to shock them so the potters caught on. The other thing I liked was an owl whose head was a cup and body a jug. It was found on an antique's roadshow they call it Ozzie was made in Staffordshire between 1680 and 1700.



The excellent potteries museum and art gallery












As if this wasn't enough we went to the ground floor and saw a spitfire, the history of the 1984 miners strike and to top it all the Staffordshire hoard which was absolutely amazing - so intricate I can't imagine how it was made in those times.










Next to town centre where we got books and maps. We are liking Stoke a lot today! A Sainsbury's shop and a taxi back to the boat followed by a drink in the Toby carvery before dinner.

Day 21 - Etruria to Red Bull

Tuesday 23rd June

6 miles and Harecastle tunnel



Westport Lake

Not a bad day, tidied boat, got diesel at marina before heading off up the Trent and Mersey towards the dreaded Harecastle tunnel. The cruise was quite interesting lots of bottle kilns and old pottery sites along the canal. Also passed Westport lake a beautiful lake with a visitor centre and a lot of birds.











Approaching Harecastle Tunnel

Arrived at the tunnel entrance in sunshine - we had an hour wait. Took the opportunity to fill up with water - well started anyway the tank was so empty.

Soon preparing for the trip through the tunnel, ie everything off the roof, waterproofs and headtorches at the ready, tunnel keeper checked boat lights and horn. We were off second in the queue.







Waiting for our slot

The tunnel is almost 3000 yards long and can be as low as 5 foot 9 inches in places and took 45 minutes to get through. It is one way hence the need to wait and manned at both ends. The longest canal tunnel in the country. I must admit it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, I kept an eye on Paul to make sure he stayed on the back of the boat!


























Looking back to the North portal

After the tunnel we turned off the Trent and Mersey onto the Macclesfield quickly crossing an aqueduct that crosses the Trent and Mersey. Moored here. After a late lunch walked to Tesco and Paul went to the Red Bull CRT office to stock up on pump out cards.

Went for a drink in the Red Bull before dinner. England won the T20 vs NZ! As the guide book says the water is a very different colour here - orange - due to iron in the mines seeping into the canal.

Day 22 - Red Bull to Little Morton Hall

Wednesday 24th June

2 miles, 1 lock



Water and coffee at Hall Green Lock

After a slow start we pottered on to the stop lock at Hall Green - the lock was built because the water levels on the Trent and Mersey varied a lot due to the water in the mines and they wanted to keep the water on the Macclesfield steady.

Stopped at the water point in brilliant sunshine for coffee while our huge tank filled with water.










The Macclesfield Canal

Continued to cruise through lovely rural countryside passing Ramsdell Hall a very grand house with gardens rolling down to the water. The opposite canal bank had black and white railings which had recently been restored by various organisations - called the Ramsdell Hall railings!

Moored here for lunch surrounded by green fields and cows. Met a couple from NZ who borrowed a pen to leave a note on a boat moored behind us - they knew the occupants also from NZ!





Little Morton Hall

After lunch walked the 3/4 mile over the fields to Little Morton Hall a NT property. A Tudor timber framed house which looked as though it had no right to be still standing up! Enjoyed a cup of tea and delicious cake on the lawn visited by ducks, robins and sparrows looking for crumbs.










Tea at Little Morton Hall









Sunset from our mooring

Quiet evening in and by 9.30 the wind had dropped and we were able to sit outside to watch the sun set with a glass of lemonade.








Day 23 - Mow Cop

Thursday 25th June

A walk to Mow Cop



Approaching Mow Cop

Woke up to a warm sunny morning. Time to get the walking boots on - 6 mile walk up to Mow Cop a hill with a castle on top only the castle was never a castle it was built by a rich landowner. We could see for miles all around. Found a nice stone chaise longe for lunch. Followed the heritage trail which passed two chapels and two churches - all locked. Also looked for Hannah Dale's grave. She was an 11 year old who died weighing 33 stone due to a rare disease. Her father included "Child of wonder" on the stone - we couldn't find it. Also found Old Man of Mow a stone left by quarrymen.





Mow Cop castle

Sue relaxing with lunch



Mow Cop castle














Old Man of Mow









Path down was quite gentle. Glad to get back to the boat for a cuppa as by now it was very hot.




Ramsdell Hall

Decided to stay put and enjoy the sunshine. Walked along to bridge 87 for a drink at the Rising Sun before sitting out for dinner and cow watching!







Ramsdell Hall Railings

Day 24 - Congleton

Friday 26th June

3 miles



Snake bridge at Congleton

Rain overnight dry but grey when we got up. Set off for Congleton which was only three miles along the canal. Found a mooring easily and walked the mile or so to the town centre after coffee. Very pretty place, lots of people about, some beautiful old buildings eg the counting house most of which had been turned into pubs. Had a shopping spree. Paul got a lightweight jacket and a book of old maps in a charity shop. I found and M & Co and got a couple of tops. Also found a new shaving light in Argos which Paul fixed later. Bought nice lunch from a deli.





Walking into Congleton



Chinese takeaway by the boat

Weather got brighter as day progressed. Strolled along to bridge 75 by the station and had a drink in the Railway Inn before walking back to the Wharf - a local pub where we ordered a Chinese takeaway.













... and a glass of wine!

Sat outside boat with a bottle of wine and candles to eat our meal. Very nice!

Day 25 - Congleton to Broadhurst Bridge

Saturday 27th June

8 miles, 12 locks



Eh?!!

Sunny day the flora has changed and summer flowers are in full bloom - dog roses, foxgloves and brambles.















The Cloud

Cruised to the bottom of Bosley locks where we stopped for a coffee and short read looking up at the Cloud.
















Bosley Locks

Bosley flight is 12 locks which raise the canal by 118 feet making us over 500 ferret above sea level. The scenery is spectacular and we have had a view of the Cloud for most of the day, the Cloud being a hill supposedly shaped like a cloud.

At the third lock Paul picked up a passenger a Chinese student staying with an English family and out for a walk with them. He was very excited and videoed the journey through one lock.

Progress was slow due to volume of traffic going up and down flight but atmosphere was good - lots of chat etc.

Stopped at the top lock for water and lunch. Cruised further on to a rural mooring for the night.

Day 26 - Broadhurst Bridge to Macclesfield

Sunday 28th June

3 miles



Nice pontoon mooring with the old Hovis mill in the background

Rain overnight and showery when we woke up. As weather settled we cruised to Macclesfield not thinking much of the moorings until we passed under bridge 37 and found a space on one of the new floating pontoon moorings.











After lunch the lady on Margarita who had moored in front of us said that there was a huge market in the town centre. Strolled up sussing out the station on the way ready for next weekend.

It was a big craft and food market with brass bands playing in the church grounds. Bought a rug made in India for boat and a beautiful hand sewn dress for Anna. The lady also gave me a pair of turquoise and white striped pantaloons! Also bought Cheshire cheese, oatcakes, eggs, trout pate and falafels.

After relaxing walked across the road to the Puss In Boots pub before eating our lasagne.

Day 27 - Macclesfield to Bugsworth Basin

Monday 29th June

16 miles



White Nancy

Left Macclesfield not quite knowing where or how far we were heading. Lovely day for cruising dry and warm. Forgot to mention the snake bridges on the Macclesfield they are impressive stone structures built to allow the horses to cross the canal without unhitching.

Cruised past White Nancy and remembered walking to it on the grit stone way.

Bollington







Bollington

Stopped for lunch at Four Ends Lane only to find Margarita behind us later, the third time we had been neighbours in four days.



Cruising the Peak Forest

Continued cruising to Marple where the visitor moorings were in the shade. Paul eager to move on even though it was 4.30. After a quick cuppa and Wimbledon catch up we cruised to the junction taking a right turn onto the Upper Peak Forest canal.



The final milepost on the Macclesfield canal

We thought the Caldon and Macclesfield were stunning but this beats them both, the hills of the peak district rising either side, we are now in Derbyshire. However, the canal was shallow and after attempting to moor once we decided to move on to the terminus at Bugsworth Basin.

After mooring it was a short stroll to the Navigation Inn where the clientele were interesting to say the least! Sat out for supper - a summer's evening at last!





Day 28 - Bugsworth Basin

Tuesday 30th June

Train trip to Buxton



Our neighbour

A beautiful sunny morning with the forecast suggesting highs of 24 degrees even here in the North. Had my early morning cup of tea outside surrounded by ducks, geese, moorhens and a heron surveying us all from its perch in a tree.

Got a history leaflet of the basin and of its restoration. All fascinating and difficult to imagine.















Buxton opera house

Decided to walk to Whaley Bridge and take the train through more magnificent scenery to Buxton. Buxton looked very different today from the last time we saw it in the rain a few years ago when we were walking the Gritsone Way. Gardens were beautiful.











Buxton water



Our mooring in Bugsworth basin

Back in Whaley bridge we went to Tesco and back to boat. It was breezy and crossing the footbridge to our arm of the basin Paul lost his beloved hat - it blew off into the canal and rather than flot so we could retrieve it, it sank!









The moon from our mooring

Spent the afternoon pottering at the boat - Paul cleaning brass, me cleaning inside and listening to Wimbledon on the radio as we had no TV signal.

Outside until almost 11pm - a beautiful day.

Day 29 - Bugsworth Basin to Furness Vale

Wednesday 1st July

2 miles

A scorcher very hot and humid hottest July day on record. Decided not to do a hill walk due to heat. Spent the morning enjoying the sunshine and views. Paul did monthly accounts, booked passage into Liverpool later this month.



View from our mooring

Left Bugsworth basin at lunch time for a short hot cruise to bridge 30 where we had spotted moorings with spectacular views on the way down. Luckily there was a space. It got hotter and hotter and muggier and muggier. Didn't know whether to sit inside or outside.











View from our mooring













Walked back to bridge 31 where we found the village of Furness Vale. Called into the Crossings for a beer, the landlady, one man and Paddy the dog were the only occupants. Wandered up to the Soldier Dick which was very busy. Called the Soldier Dick because of a soldier who was helped by the landlord at the time (17th C) and did not know his surname. He is buried in Disley churchyard as "Richard the Soldier".

Picked up a Chinese takeaway and sat outside to eat being entertained by the dramatic lightening show over Manchester. It was far enough away to enjoy the show without hearing the thunder. We had no rain.



Day 30 - Furness Vale to Higher Poynton

Thursday 2nd July

8 miles

Much cooler today. Cruised to Marple where we moored and wandered into the town centre which was quite lively and had a few independent shops. We found a deli where we bought some treats for lunch.

Watched Andy Murray stroll through his second round match. Nadal got knocked out in a very amusing match against Dustin Brown. James Ward also got through to the third round.



Our mooring at the wide water

Cruised on trying to get nearer to Macclesfield before the rain started. Got to Higher Pointon just as rain started with some ferocity as we squeezed into a mooring opposite a wide stretch of canal. Sat rain out watching Wimbledon and having dinner. Then strolled into village, big mining history and visitor centre. Called into Boar's Head before returning to boat. Sat out on bank for a cuppa watching some Polish men pike fishing.

Back to the boat after a trip to the Boars Head

Day 31 - Higher Poynton to Lyme Green

Friday 3rd July

9 miles - Sue takes the train from Macclesfield to Birmingham

Warmer again. Took a long time to cruise back into Macclesfield as water was low and lots of moored boats. When we got into the town the pontoon moorings were full and we moored rather precariously near the Puss in Boots pub. Walked up to the railway station for me to get the train back to Birmingham.

Meanwhile Paul walked into Macclesfield looking for a replacement hat to no avail. Looked around the chandlery. Collected boat and went for a pump out the cheapest yet at £12. Bought matting for the deck and paint for the fire and chimney. Found a rural mooring opposite sheep and goats. Spent the rest of the day watching tennis and playing the guitar. Got talking to a homeless man who was living in a container in a retail park. Gave him some food.



Anna at the pub!

Rachael and Anna walked to the station to meet me. Spent a very nice afternoon with Anna. Later Rachael, Anna and I went to the Bulls Head and picked up a Chinese which we ate outside. Anna slept from 10.45 to 8.10.

Day 32 - Lyme Green and Birmingham

Saturday 4th July

Another scorcher. Rachael had sorted out the 3-6 month clothes she has been given for Anna so the washing machine was put to good use - 3 loads. Christine came to Rachael's for coffee bringing flowers for my birthday and Anna yet more clothes, a book and some building blocks.

Back at the boat Paul had big storms overnight but it dried up so he stripped the hatch back and repainted it. Went to the retail park and bought a summer 4.5 tog duvet.




Bath time

Rachael spent the afternoon marking and after bathing Anna we went for an evening stroll round the lake when it was cooler.

Day 33 - Lyme Green and Birmingham

Sunday 5th July

Another morning looking after Anna while Rachael marked GCSE papers - what a hardship - then a trip to Sainsburies. I then left to drive to Shipton Moyne after lunch.

Paul cleaned the fire out and repainted the wood burner and chimney. He spent time watching the Tour de France, playing his guitar and sorting photos.

In Shipton Moyne Mum and I had a visit from Pauline and Dave who are on holiday in Calne. We then enjoyed a three course dinner including veg from the garden.

Day 34 - Gurnett Aquaduct via Macclesfield

Monday 6th July

3 miles

I drove down to Shipton Moyne yesterday with lights on in the rain and that was repeated this morning when I drove back to Birmingham. Took the car to the moorings as we won't be using it again for a while. Rachael picked me up from there, we had lunch and then walked to Yardley Wood where I caught the train back to Macclesfield arriving at 5.10.

Paul returned boat to Macclesfield only to find that all the moorings were full even the water point where hotel boats Duke and Duchess were moored. He turned boat and went back to Gurnett aqueduct. He then walked back to Macclesfield and did some food shopping in M&S before meeting me off the train. We took a taxi back to the boat.

The Kings Head looked very inviting and we went for a drink bumping in to and joining Ken and Ann from nb Margharita and Frank and Trisha nb Abraham. Ken and Ann will be in Comgleton on Wednesday night when I will be having the first night on my own on the boat away from the moorings so that is reassuring.

Day 35 - Bosley Bottom Lock

Tuesday 7th July

6 miles

Cruised to Bosley top lock. Weather showery but was quite kind to us. Stopped in the arm of the services to get rid of rubbish and fill up with water.

Met an old chap just pulling off on nb Eleanor he had a lot of old wood on board. When we got to the services we met another man with a van who said he was waiting for it to unload wood etc. Eleanor went down one lock and as we went down he was waiting on the lock landing for his mate. A few locks down we met the CRT volunteer lock keepers who asked if we'd had any trouble coming down as they had had a report that a boat was stuck in the mud at lock 1, explained about Eleanor and they set off to assist.

Locks went smoothly the first six we passed a boat going up making it much easier. The second six we had to work on our own.



Our mooring with the bottom lock in the background

Moored behind Margarita at the bottom of the locks - for a quiet night. Watched Wimbledon. Heard someone shout it was a chap asking for water and to have his phone charged! I think he was tipped off by the chap at Lyme Green. He said he was camping along the towpath.

... and the Cloud ahead

Day 36 - Congleton

Wednesday 8th July

4.5 miles

A fairly early start even though it was raining. Paul has to get the train from Congleton to get to his OPA tomorrow. I decided that I'd feel safe in Congleton. Moored easily. Paul set off to catch the 13.23 train.

I didn't venture from the boat other than to take the bucket off the roof as it was rocking in the wind. Ann knocked on boat at tea time to see if I wanted to go to the chip shop with them. I declined as I had a pork steak and veg - trying to be healthy. Spent day watching tennis and listening to the first ashes test.

Paul enjoyed seeing smiley Anna and Rachael and Ross of course.

Day 37 - Kidsgrove Lock 42

Thursday 9th July

6 miles 2 locks

Beautiful morning - cleaned the boat through while Paul was away. Dried in no time.



Sunny evening at Kidsgrove

Paul got back to boat around 12.30 and after a quick lunch we set off for Kidsgrove. Moored after first lock of heartbreak hill to go to Tesco - not far to carry the shopping. Mooring not very pleasant so decided to move on after putting the shopping away. Moved all of 100 yards before finding a sunny rural spot - only blot on the landscape being a fellow boater sunbathing in speedos!







Mooring above lock 42



A regular at the Red Bull Inn

Walked along to the Red Bull Inn which was very busty. Next thing an owl came into the bar a Cicao owl from South America, obviously a regular as it didn't mind the noise or being petted. There was a bluegrass session on - about a dozen people with guitars, banjos and fiddles - quite lively. The landlord supplied chips and sandwiches to each table - very nice.

Saw a couple walk in, husband joined the session with his banjo but wife was nowhere to be seen until I went to the loo. She was sat in the corner doing her embroidery. When I spoke to her she said she had the best of all worlds, a drink, the music from a distance, her stitching and she was near the loo! A pleasant evening if a little strange!