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tillergirl

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  1. tillergirl

    Day 10 (23/3/2013)

    By tillergirl,

    Woke up to a covering of snow this morning. And boy is it cold!! We also found out that after testing the aqueduct yesterday Peel Ports found that after maintenance it was leaking. So they advised the marina here not to send any of their hire boat that way as once they had let all the boats through either side of the aqueduct that had been waiting they were closing it again for further repairs. So with this news and the snow we have decided to stay here until Monday when hopefully the weather will be better and the aqueduct open.
  3. tillergirl
    Left Bridgewater Marina at Boothstown around 10 a.m. and made our way to the Barton Aqueduct, passing through Worsley on the way. Some very pretty buildings in Worsley including this one:
     

     
     
    And the water was this colour:
     

     
     
    Lorenz Canal Services cleaning the Bridgewater Canal in Water Womble
     

     
     
    Crossing the Manchester Ship Canal - Barton Road Bridge
     

     
    It was extremely windy going over the Aqueduct! Islonian didn't come away unscathed either. We lost a fender and because the wind took us right over to the side she now has a battle scar (scratch) to the front port side.
     
    Looking back over the Aqueduct
     

  4. tillergirl
    Well that was an experience and one we are not likely to repeat in a hurry!! I have never been so cold in my life...............sun, wind snow and then the Rochdale 9!!!
     
    Don't get me wrong Manchester has a landscape all of its own and we don't mind some urban backdrop for a change. We found out today the Kellogg factory has an arm of the canal all of its own though I suspect its not used anymore.
     

     
     
    This was one lock we didn't attempt to go through...............who would want to be on the Manchester Ship Canal in the snow.
     

     
     
    Yes it was damned cold!
     

     
     
    Passing Manchester United football stadium
     

     
     
    Start of the Rochdale 9
     

     
     
    This is where the fun starts!! no towpath.....................
     

     
     
     
    Forum member Les (lesandgerry) giving us a much needed hand up the locks. I can highly recommend that anyone gets themselves a tame lock wheeler for this part of the journey
     

     
     
    So that's it they are out of the way..............................next stop Vegas!!!!
  5. tillergirl
    Been a really long day today so this is only going to be a short entry .............set off from Piccadilly at around 8.30 this morning in the snow. Onto the Ashton where it continued to snow for most of the day.
     
    Pleased this section of the canals is behind us. The Ashton is hard work.........long and arduous. Nowhere nice to moor so you just keep going...................
     

     
    The nicest thing about today is where we are now moored.................peace and quiet at long last.
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
  6. tillergirl
    OK so washing is boring but seeing as I don't yet have an automatic washing on the boat it was launderette time today.............mind you Johnson's Dry Cleaners offer a washing, dry and fold service wash for a fiver (small bagful) so they got it all!! Won't be ready to collect until Saturday. But we have moored at a nice spot so there's no hurry.
     
    We paid a visit to Portland Basin Museum today............wow free entry! Highly recommend anyone pay a visit if they are in the area. They have recreated several shops from the 1920's and also a typical two up-two down house. Smiffy enjoyed a chinwag with landlord of the Bridge Inn they have recreated.............wasn't much conversation going on though and certainly not a pint in sight!
     

     
     
    In the Fish Shop they had a menu board up..............................no idea what some of these food items are
     

  7. tillergirl
    Decided to top the diesel tank up and top up with water so reversed back to Portland Marina. Overnight mooring with electric for 6 quid! Yes please!! Everything that needs charging is on charge.....phones, toothbrushes, shaver and camera.............best not waste the opportunity!
     

     
     
    And we got in here so we must be able to get out!
     

     
    We shall be leaving here tomorrow afternoon. Looks like we are set for the Marple flight for Sunday,
  8. tillergirl
    I am happy to report that have finally escaped the suburbs of Manchester and are currently sat waiting to descend Marple Flight tomorrow.
     
    Had to stop part way for Smiffy to remove a huge length of banding that had wrapped itself around the prop and had fun with an oncoming boat on a shallow bend. We both ended up grounded whilst trying to pass each other!
     
    Apart from that the day has been nice if not a little cold.
     
    Woodley Tunnel
     
     
     

     
     
    Entrance to Hyde Bank Tunnel
     
     

     
     
    Inside Hyde Bank Tunnel
     

     
     
    Over Marple Aqueduct
     

     
     
    The view from the galley window
     

  9. tillergirl
    4 hours 16 locks and a little helper turned up windlass in hand to help us through. Hope it was worth the pint at the end Kevin.................you were a big help.
     

     
     
    Lots of gongoozlers once we started to get into Marple. I don't think I've answered the same questions so many times in one day!! But then what goes around comes around..............we used to be exactly the same.
     
    All the locks on the Marple Flight are pretty deep.
     
     

     
     
    The end is in sight!
     

     
     
    On to Bugsworth Basin tomorrow........................
  11. tillergirl
    A chilly start to the day but nevertheless a pleasant trip down to Bugsworth Basin.
     
    There is still some snow on the high peaks
     

     
     
    And still some on the banks of the canal
     

     
    Some splendid views along this part of the Upper Peak Forest
     

     
    Arrived at our mooring for tonight
     

  12. tillergirl
    Woke up to find the upper basin where we moored was iced over and it was blowing a gale.
    Washing and cleaning done we have moved around to the other arm at Whaley Bridge. Not that Bugsworth isn't nice it is. The wind was blowing Limestone dust into the boat so we decided that it would be a shrewd move.
     
    Can highly recommend The Fryery chip shop in the village.
     
     
    Depending on the wind we may or may not make our way back up to Marple tomorrow.
  14. tillergirl
    Just before we left Whaley Bridge I took this picture. Does anyone know what it is?
     

     
    Shame this happened to this boat
     

     
    Flowering about a month late
     

     
    Marple Junction
     

    Along the Macclesfield Canal

     
    Moored at Higher Poynton for the night.
     

  15. tillergirl
    Its been a glorious day today, sunshine and blue skies. Its also been very much a wildlife day well apart from meeting coalboat Alton en-route!
     

     
    We came across a Muscovey Duck or two
     

     
    And also these strange ducks...............never seen ducks like this with tufts before
     

     
    We passed the Hovis Mill in Macclesfield where Freedom Boats are based. Looks like the mill has been converted into apartments now
     

     
     
    And since we got here early we found a nice spot to moor for the night - Gurnett Aqueduct. Its a popular spot and from about 5pm starts to fill up fairly quickly.
     

     
    Haven't decided whether we will move on tomorrow or leave the weekend boaters to it and stay put.
     
     
    Sunday 7th April
     
    Can highly recommend Sunday Lunch in the Old Kings Head at Gurnett. As you see we decided to stay put.
     
    Islonian is now sporting some Spring flowers:
     

  16. tillergirl
    We set off this morning in good time to reach and descend the Bosley Flight. Weather was very chilly and blustery.
     

     
    The wind started to become a problem around 11am. Twice it blew us to the side and twice we were grounded. When we got to the summit there were some people form CRT here effecting repairs to vandalised services. There was also a volunteer lock keeper here who advised us that we would at 60 foot be better mooring up for the night and seeing if the winds dropped in the morning. Apparently, several boats had passed through with increasing difficulty because of the strong gusts. We took his advise and are moored for the night waiting to see if tomorrow brings us some lighter winds.
     
    This is the view from the galley window
     

     
    Our stay here hasn't been without incident though. We have been hit by 2 boats; one who was coming in too fast and the wind caught it. It scraped along the length of the boat. Then at about 7pm a hire boat bumped the back of us and we in turn bumped into the boat in front who had also taken the decision to stay here for the night. Fortunately, there isn't any damage to either boat but we are concerned that they continued down the flight in this wind............its a two and half hour journey to the bottom of the flight............. on a good day. They won't reach the bottom in daylight hours.
     
    A message has been left with the hire company about the irresponsible behaviour of the hirers. I wait for them to return my call tomorrow!!
     
    On a nicer note here's a photo of St Austell & Shirley at Oakgrove Wharf
     

  17. tillergirl
    Bosley Flight this morning in winds gusting up to 25 mph! Still we're through now
     

     
    This hill is called The Cloud
     

     
    Looking forwards on the Macc
     

     
    Scenery.............
     

     
     
    Tomorrow - the Harecastle Tunnel all being well and we arrive in time to go through.
  18. tillergirl
    We left our overnight mooring around 11 this morning after Brian from NB Alton delivered some coal and diesel by road to us. He's a fantastic bloke - a true working boater!
     
    Didn't take us long to get to the northern portal of Harecastle Tunnel but first we had to cross the Trent & Mersey on the Macclesfield
     

     
    Its a sharp right turn from the Macc onto the Trent & Mersey and Smiffy did it perfectly!
     

     
    And as you can see the water is full of iron! This is the bridge that leads back onto the Macc
     

     
    Islonian waiting to go through Harecastle at the northern portal
     

     
    Inside Harecastle.............its gets very smokey in there! And its very wet in places.
     

     
    It set the smoke alarm off!!
     

     
     
    Looking back to the southern portal
     

     
    We are now moored at Westport Lake Visitor Moorings. Two lovely lakes that have been created because of mining subsidence.
     

     
     
  19. tillergirl
    We left pretty Westport Lake this morning around 9.30 and cruised through Stoke and Meaford Locks.
     
    Stoke is a mix of the very old, the old and the new. Here's a few pictures
     
    abandoned pottery
     
     
     

     
    Middleport Pottery (still in use and been refurbished)
     

     
    These flats are built on the site of Newport Pottery where the famous Clariss Cliff worked
     

     
    entrance to the Caldon Canal
     

     
     
    Get this 2 bottle kilns in the middle of a housing estate................I like that
     

     
     
    Out of Stoke and came across these pretty canalside cottages
     

     
     
    And we are now moored opposite this lovely old boat
     

     
    We are staying here for the weekend visiting friends so next update may not be for a couple of days.
     
  20. tillergirl
    Had an excellent weekend here in Stone catching up with friends. Spent a lovely evening out yesterday and partook of a hearty meal and a few ginger pops! We took a Sunday Morning stroll and captured a few interesting things on camera.
     
    Welcome to Stone!
     

     
    Wooden carving of "Chirstine" and plaque explaining why it is here
     

     

     
    Canoeing on the River Trent
     

     
     
    Joules Brewery Wharf (now closed)
     
     

     
     
    And finally
     
    Duckilings!!!! She has 18 (not all pictured) - wonder how many she will manage to rear?
     

     
     
  21. tillergirl
    Today has been a pleasant day to cruise and we managed to get all the way to Great Haywood.
     
    Weston on Trent is a pleasing little place
     

     
    The River Trent was never very far away
     

     
    Here at Great Haywood the Trent passes through the Shugborough Estate
     

     
    A heron patiently waiting for that fish to come over the wier
     

     
    And finally the entrance to the Staffs & Worcs canal
     

     
  22. tillergirl
    A lovely day again today but very windy. So we decided that we would overnight at Kings Bromley Marina.
     
    Trent & Mersey View
     

     
    Passed this very nice desres
     

     
     
    Trent never very far away again today
     

     
    Crossing the Trent
     

     
    Smiffy made his own Aegir today
     

     
     
    This cutting was a very tight squeeze
     

     
     
    Next stop Alrewas............
     
     
  23. tillergirl
    Finally!!! The winds have subsided and its been a pleasant day for cruising. Mind you we only got as far as Alrewas and decided we would stay here for the rest of the day. Its a pretty village and the old and new sit nicely side by side.
     
    Leaving Kings Bromley
     

     
    Fradley Junction - Entrance to the Coventry Canal
     

     
    CRT volunteer lockie at Fradley Junction
     

     
     
    Alrewas and carved bench
     

     

     
     
    14th century painting inside Alrewas Church
     

  24. tillergirl
    It was such a lovely day we set off quite early with the intention of having a Full English at the transport cafe on the A38. It closed just as we arrived..........such is life If only we hadn't stopped for diesel.............But never mind we managed to get 6 hours cruising in. Alrewas past Branston Water Park, through Burton Upon Trent, over the River Dove Aqueduct and onto Willington. Staying here Sunday too.............moored right near the Dragon and a table booked for Sunday Lunch!
     
    It was lovely to see the sudden burst of life! Some greenery at last
     

     
    Wier across the Trent just past Alrewas
     

     
    Islonian at Branston Lock
     

     
    Burton upon Trent
     

     
    Artwork under the bridge at Dallow Lock, Burton Upon Trent. There is more but you need to visit it to appreciate it fully.
     

     

     
    Aqueduct over the River Dove
     

     
    Where to next? Well Stenson Lock Cafe tomorrow morning where the other half is hoping he will get his Full English that he missed out on yesterday
  25. tillergirl
    Raining when we left Crooke this morning at 10am but did try to brighten up a little. Only 3 locks today but Ell Meadow Lock was really hard to work as the gates look as if they have been recently replaced. Nice to see how much the Wiganites value their waterway:
     

     
     
    Passed Wigan Athletic football ground on the way into Wigan.
     

     
     
    Once past there the surroundings turn urban very quickly.
     

     
     
    I missed the statues as we past Wigan Pier so I will endeavour to get some tomorrow. Apologies for the poor quality photo
     

     
     
    So here we are moored outside CRT offices in Wigan. 48 hour mooring so we will hang around for a day. In any case the voltmeter was playing up again today so that needs his attention.
     

     
     
    These Wiganites like their statues. Check this one out!
     

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