Cruising Mike
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Posts posted by Cruising Mike
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We did the Cheshire Ring last week which included the Peak Forest as well (Bugsworth). We did it all in a week with even a few hours to spare on some days, but be mindful of the potential hold ups.
Going clockwise from Preston Brook here are a few suggestions.
In Manchester you can moor up at Thomas Telford Basin and have access into the city. Or at the moorings in Piccadilly Basin, but beware of all the geese feces! We stopped here at lunchtime fr an hour and the basins were empty
The Ring O'Bells at Marple Junction had a lovely carvery spread on when we popped in after doing the marple flight, has a good selection of beers and a nice beer garden.
The Navigation Inn in Bugsworth at the end of the Peak Forest (if you will add that to your trip). Their lamb chops special was to die for!
If you can, moor up at Bollington Aqueduct, amazing views, with direct access to the town below. Didn't eat here but had a great time in their pubs.
Bluebell in Kidsgrove is great, but you could moor up near the Red Bull, and walk up the hill (Congleton Road - 10 mins walk) to the pub opposite the fish and chip shop. Nice pub with 2 darts boards and a pool table. Didn't try their food as we went to the fish and chip shop after a pint and it was very very nice. Good convenience store next door too.
Middlewich - King's Lock, small pub and need to book a table in advance but food is amazing. We ate in there then walked along the canal to the town and tried out the Boar's Head. Has a god range of beers, Pool room and a big sports screen. The Kindleton next door looks nice and upmarket. We passed by the Big Lock Pub which looks good from the outside but havent been in it. A bonus is a park with a few swings a few metres along the cut which you can moor at.
There are mnay more pubs along the way which we didnt really stop at!
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Will probably take a while for the traffic to filter out due to the hold up. Hope the Rochdale 9 will not be too busy this time next week
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That's fantastic news! Back to plan A
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We'll end up with stoppages due to boats yet to be sunk
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Why should it be just an ego trip actors aren't continually in work and need some form of income. When was he last in a long running series/production?
He was in Series 1 of Pramface i think is was called. Not sure if he is in the other Seasons
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Perhaps during the winter, CRT could conduct practical exercise classes for all Vlockies. Visiting various points in the country so everyone can partake in them.
They could find a really cheap old unwanted 60/70ft boat or something of a similar size that floats. Then enroll those full time experienced Lock Keepers to conduct the classes.
What they could do is do bad things deliberately and see how VLockies cope with it and then train them afterwards. Such is deliberately cilling the boat (within limits of course), and other such incidents that may happen. Seeing such incidents first hand must surely go a long way to helping Vlockies understand better what may happen.
And of course, remind them that the crew are in charge at all times. Within reason, of course taking into account of those who may appear inexperienced.
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Very poor circumstances. How can CRT expect visitors (Local and International) to come back again after experiences like that? After all, they make money from licenses, moorings, Temp crusing licenses, what have you. Are they really willing to alienate everyone??
OP - Just to be on the safe side, i'd write back with you reference number and license number, keep a copy and forget abut it
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Is there any updates regarding the demolition happening? AS far as i'm aware, the remaining bit of demolition is the front wall facing the canal is still erect
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Daniel at this point it's looking likely we might pass by you at some point on the Cheshire ring in the first week of September
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Great update. While some grey areas exist, I'm sure everyone now understands much more about the situation. I'm willing to bet the number of people hoping next weekend is a realistic target is in their dozens
ETA - perhaps both CRT and MCC, after receiving all the enquiries they've had, will now have a better understanding how important the Bridgewater is to boaters. Local and visitors.
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Picking the boat up in 2 weeks so there is still time for it t clear and reopen. How about water levels after opening? I would assume it will be unaffected particularly the Rochdale 9
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Wow, if that really is true then that makes my day!
*ALL FINGERS CROSSED*
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I think we are steering more towards the Peak Forest. Out only issue is we really want to overnight in Bugs worth but this means 3 very long (risky) days to get back
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The sun rises around 6.20am and sets around 7.35pm for that week.
I appreciate the advise and i will have another go and come up with a new plan for the Peak Forest route.
We are still crossing our fingers that we will be able to do the Cheshire Ring as planned. But perhaps as Mayalid said, the bottom half of the ring is the best bit anyway.
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Paul - Not to say I completely disagree with what you say. But I don't see us filling up with water, emptying trash and having lunch within the first few hours of hiring. We usually arrive at base on a full stomach as well. Claymoore have said that we can pick the boat up a lot earlier than usual providing there are no bookings prior to us.
I will look and try and reduce the hours on the final three days. It's hard when there are places we want to stop at, for instance at Bugs worth and cons all forge
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Cheers for the update
Mayland - Thanks for the advice. Just wonder if it will be a bit too far?
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Corixa - Yes Cheshire Cat from Claymoore
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Perhaps its the OCD in me. I (we) like to have a plan set in stone so we have a good idea of how far we need to travel in order to stay on schedule. The other upside of planning is you get to find out more about the routes and what to expect.
Still looking for any additional feedback if anyone has any?
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We did the Harecastle last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. We hope to arrive at the right time to go straight through. But can always make up time another day if needed. Have heard good things about the black lion hence the planned stop there
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Fellow members,
Im looking for some tips or suggestions to our proposed 1 Week Holiday. Using a 46ft 3 Berth Boat.
We were originally planning to do the Cheshire ring including the Peak Forest branch. However since the stoppage at Castlefield we have decided to have a Plan B in case it doesn't reopen in time.
First things first, we love doing LONG days as we paid to use the boat so might as well use it! Last year we did the FCR and some days we arrived at our planned moorings sometimes even 2 hours earlier that anticipated. That's even with up to 3 hour delays on some days. We are both very efficient in locks and still rather young lads. We are also aware of potential hold ups at some locks and tunnels as we have experienced in the past.
So here are the two alternative options if the Cheshire Ring is still deemed not possible. (Timings etc from CanalplanAC on unedited settings)
1.
Preston Brook to Bugsworth Basin and Back Via Middlewich
Day 1 - Preston Brook to Croxton Flash
15 Miles, 1 Lock, 6.5 Hours
Day 2 - Croxton Flash to Broughton Arms (Bridge 140)
11 Miles, 23 Locks, 8.5 Hours
Day 3 - Broughton Arms to Lockett's Bridge No. 59
13 Miles, 25 Locks, 9.5 Hours
Day 4 - Lockett's Bridge No. 59 to Bugsworth Basin
23 Miles, 0 Locks, 10hrs
Day 5 - Bugsworth Basin to River Dane Aqueduct
24 Miles, 12 Locks, 12.5 Hours (Have to start at 6am)
Day 6 - River Dane Aqueduct to Anne's Bridge 157
17 Miles, 27 Locks, 11.5hrs
Day 7 - Anne's Bridge 157 to Moorfield Winding Hole
24 Miles, 10 Locks, 11.5 Hours
Day 8 - Moorfield Winding Hole to Preston Brook
2 miles, 0 Locks, 40 Mins
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2.
Preston Brook to Froghall and Leek Branches and Back
Day 1 - Preston Brook to Croxton Flash
15 Miles, 1 Lock, 6.5 Hours
Day 2 - Croxton Flash to Broughton Arms
11 Miles, 23 Locks, 8.5 Hours
Day 3 - Broughton Arms to Heakley Hall Bridge 22
14 Miles, 16 Locks, 9 Hours
Day 4 - Heakley Hall Bridge 22 to Consall Forge after winding at Froghall Basin
14 Miles, 16 Locks, 9 Hours
Day 5 - Consall Forge to Etruria Junction via Leek Branch
19 Miles, 16 Locks, 11.5 Hours (Have option to scrap the Leek branch if wanted)
Day 6 - Etruria Junction to Elton Moss Bridge 160
14 Miles, 26 Locks, 10.5 Hours
Day 7 - Elton Moss Bridge 160 to Moorfiled Winding Hole
23 Miles, 10 Locks, 10.5 Hours
Day 8 - Moorfield Winding Hole to Preston Brook
2 Miles, 0 Locks, 40 Mins
Okay, thats the plan we have put down. Would appreciate any feedback on the mooring places or anything we have missed out.
Thanks all.
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We considered all option before finalising those 2. The liverpool way was the least favourite due to just 16 locks all week (8 each way)
We like long hours and a reasonable number of locks throughout the week, even if we go through some lock free stretches
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Morning people,
After a few days getting over the disappointment hearing about this closure, we have finally tried to look at alternative options.
We have vetoed every option but two:-
Preston Brook (Claymoore) to Bugsworth Basin and back via Middlewich. Still the ring in a sense without going all the way round. 69hrs, 98 Locks and 127 Miles according to CanalplanAC.
Preston Brook to Froghall and Back. 63hrs, 103 locks and 105 miles according to CanalPlanAC.
Do these look good and is there anything to look out for? I understand that the 2nd route includes a large number of locks as well as a fair number of tunnels including ding Harecastle twice.
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IM also interested in any updates as i hope to do the Cheshire Ring in 3 weeks
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As some of you may have gathered already, we are doing the Cheshire Ring from 4th September till 11th. We have been informed by the Hire Firm of the emergency closure in the Manchester area for emergency demolition. Furthermore, we have been advised to look at alternative routes instead.
So i'm asking you guys what do you think? Will it be ready in 3 weeks time or is this predicted as a long term thing?
Cheshire Ring in a week
in Holidays Afloat
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Where do you intend to moor up between the Rochdale and Ashton Flights? I would suggest the TT Basin as the Piccadilly Basin really does look worse for the wear