1st June

Another cloudless sky, couldn’t ask for more on our next leg up to Bugsworth Basin. Started at 07.30 as its was such a gorgeous day. Peak Forest Canal, what can I say? I thought the Macclesfield Canal was narrow and shallow enough but the Peak is something else! The narrows were narrower and the shallows shallower, it was about now that I wished I had gone for a plastic cruiser. They were steaming away with no problems having such a small draught. We must have got stuck at least five times when passing other boats, but with a little throttle in reverse we were soon on our way again.

On our journey up the Peak the views were really magnificent –

We also saw some more interesting back gardens - and some interesting boats -

Bugsworth Basin, now that is some place! Plenty of moorings and plenty to keep you occupied provided you are into the history of the place, if not then the views and walks available are just as amazing.

The ‘Navigation Inn’ is steeped in local history and provides a very welcome and very hospitable resting place before going any further – walking or canaling! The food is first class and certainly not expensive and the people are very friendly and helpful.

The weather is superb and both of us are sporting lobster tans! We only gave ourselves a couple of hours as we needed to be back to Lyme Green for Sunday as Lynne had to return to work for her three week of shifts. We will definitely be doing Bugsworth Basin again before we depart from this area and next time will allow ourselves at least 48hrs to investigate the surrounding countryside.

Whaley Bridge was a complete disappointment and we will certainly not waste our time going up that last part again. Apart from there being boats moored for the whole length they were also moored up in the winding hole and water point, giving us nowhere to moor even if we had wanted to. Thank god the winding hole was a decent size regardless of the moored boats!

On our travels down the Peak we spied John Orentas boat ‘Squeers moored at Furness Vale Marina, unfortunately not at home so we continued back to Marple and a night at the ‘’FLICKS’’! to watch Pirates of the Caribbean Worlds End. I use the word ‘flicks’ because it’s a real old fashioned cinema right down to the INTERMISSION and ice cream lady! Brilliant!! Only thing missing is the organ. Lol. Well worth a visit if you’re in this area.

2nd June to 6th June

Returned to Lyme Green stopping at Lyme View Marina to see if they had any spare moorings, unfortunately not! Again I am on my own as Lynne has gone to do her three weeks of shifts, leaving me to pootle up and down the Macclesfield in all this glorious weather. I am trying really hard not to get a fantastic sun tan as my life will be hell when Lynne gets back if I do. Lol!

I am sure you don’t want to hear all about the Macc again and again so suffice it to say I am getting plenty of practice going single handed and getting a sun tan……ooops!

I am also seeing plenty of plonkers making some really stupid manoeuvres, some hire boats and surprisingly quite a few private owners. Not managed to make any cock ups yet myself but give it time and I am sure I will be able to make a real lulu!

More to follow after 26th June.