Poynton

Higher Poynton, Macclesfield Canal – Thursday 29 August 2013

Wednesday morning we were getting organised with Peter (Braidbar builder) as to when various boats were to have their planned jobs done when he said he would be away as there was a boat to collect from Scholar Green to go into the paint-shed.  I offered to go with him not knowing exactly where    S-G was – it turns out to be near the southern end of the Macclesfield!  So I have had a couple of days bringing ‘Starshine’ up here.  Once the boat was safely out of the marina Peter then disappeared off to Bosley top lock and then cycled back to meet me, getting on board with his bike as I went through a “bridge hole”.  At the locks he did the setting and closing so all I had to do was the steering.  We moored the boat for the night and came back here.  The weather was cloudy but no rain.

Today we went back to Bosley and Peter drove off to Fools Nook where there is a swing bridge, again he cycled back to meet me.  At the bridge he opened it up and I was just about to go through (prow lined up and actually in the gap) when a boat appeared round the bend coming the other way also headed straight for the bridge (perhaps they thought it was always left open).  A blast on the horn and suddenly there was masses of activity with them going into reverse and water being churned over the towpath.  When they were settled with the steerer on the bank holding the centre rope I continued through.  Peter closed it after them and cycled along to Broadhurst Swing Bridge (memories of a damaged cratch) and operated that one for me.  He then headed back leaving me to bring the boat on.  When I arrived he had got ‘Eleventh Heaven’ who was in the yard to move out temporarily and allowed me to move the boat into the yard and paint-shed (the entrance is at an angle under a footbridge which is low and requires the steerer to duck!).  However, all was well and ‘Starshine’ is now safely moored.  The weather has been patchy with one spot of rain (about 1 minute that barely justified putting on my jersey.

It has been pleasant having some-one to chat to while going along and I now have a couple of extra jobs to be done as the controls on ‘Starshine’ are easier to reach than on ‘Ice Breaker’ – more to follow.

In the evening I was invited onto ‘Dolce Far Niente’ for a meal with Stephen & Jayne.

Higher Poynton

Higher Poynton, Macclesfield Canal – Tuesday 27 August 2013

Early morning was glorious - the boats in a row with a misty canal and above the sun was hidden by a cloud but there were bands of light shining across the sky.  Once the sun was not shielded the bands all disappeared.  The run to Poynton was un-eventful with a few more Braidbars seen including ‘Tiree’, the hire boat.  ‘Dolce Far Niente’ was waiting for us on the bit called ‘The Deeps’ (must be northern humour as the canal is wide with signs saying ‘Danger shallow water’) and once we arrived they moved off to go into the yard which looked almost empty with just two shell in.  Once we were all moored we went to the Trading Post where Andy made us feel welcome with a new sign ‘Closed to Braidbar owners’ after a few laughs he went to wash it off and couldn’t!  Drinks were ordered and eventually the sign was cleaned with lots of hot water.  ‘Sanity Again’ who have been here have disappeared for a mini cruise to meet family and will be back next week.

Danes Moss

Danes Moss Bridge, Macclesfield Canal – Monday 26 August 2013

Saturday all three boats (New Dawn, Eleventh Heaven and Ice Breaker) remained on Red Bull Aqueduct.  Shopping was done by those who needed otherwise a quiet day.  Eleventh Heaven hosted an evening meal which was enjoyed by all.  It rained on and off all day.

Sunday we moved to Dane Aqueduct so that we would be ready for the Bosley Locks flight (twelve locks with a rise of 118 ft in about half a mile).  We used radios between the boats but the channel was in use by other people.  It was cloudy to start but the sun came out later.

Today we started early to face the locks and discovered that the Macclesfield Canal Society were running a “HALOU” day (Have a lock on us) as it is the August Bank Holiday.  They were the ones we heard yesterday so we changed channels.  With their help we managed all three boats through the locks in just two hours.  We had gone half way before we met any boats coming down so it was a good run.  All that is left for tomorrow is a nine mile run to Poynton.  The sun has been out all day.

Red Bull

Red Bull Aqueduct, Macclesfield Canal – Friday 23 August 2013

Today was a short run – only three miles but it did include the Harecastle Tunnel.  The tunnel is controlled by staff and is only one-way traffic.  We arrived at the South Portal just as the southbound boats were leaving, however ‘Eleventh Heaven’ had planned to stop at the water-point and the tunnel keeper advised that we would have at least an hour-and-a-half wait until we could go in.  We had planned that anyway.  When it was our turn a third boat had joined us and the run through was without incident.  I prefer the Northbound journey as going South there is no point of reference as there are closed doors until the boat is within 100m because at the South end there is an extractor system.  Northbound you can see daylight at the end of the tunnel.

We turned onto the Macclesfield and have met up with another Braidbar boat ‘New Dawn’.  It has been cloudy so far.

Westport

Westport Lake, Trent & Mersey Canal – Thursday 22 August 2013

Wednesday was a no moving day as I needed to do personal admin – visit to bank, shopping etc.  Eleventh Heaven moved off and I then moored on the towpath, later the one behind moved away and I pulled Ice Breaker back into their spot in order to get a satellite signal (there was a gap in the trees).  When I had done the running around that was needed I tidied the inside and got on with writing up notes.  In the evening I went to the Crown & Anchor which has changed owners since last year – the food was excellent but very few customers.  Back at the boat I needn’t have tuned in the satellite dish as the Star pub had a cabaret act - an amplified folk singer who drowned out the TV.

Today has been a great run – I was met at all 14 locks with a boat just coming out and the crew of the next ready to assist.  At Westport Lake I met again with Eleventh Heaven so have moored Justin front of them.  The site used to be a colliery, then Stoke football ground, then due to subsidence it became flooded.  As it has now been turned into a nature reserve there is a lot of wildlife around.  The sun has been out all day.