RobTrehy

Just thought I'd post an update here! As you probably know, these repairs were delayed, which prevented us from doing the ring. (We went Sat 12th to Sat 19th May). Instead, we stuck with the Trent and Mersey Canal all the way up to Lymm, turning on Tuesday morning to head back. We arrived back at the junction with the Macclesfield Canal around 11am on Thursday morning, so we decided to head up the Macclesfield, stopping in Congleton overnight. A late start (9:30am) before turning before Bridge 63 avoiding Bosley Rise and returning to the Harecastle Tunnel for 2:50pm. Our Canal Companion book had a winding hole marked on the Macclesfield by Bridge 66. We found a boat moored opposite, so despite a small attempt had to move onto to the next one. Looking on the CRT Waterways Map, there isn't a winding hole marked here? Which is correct!? Timings through the Harecastle were; Northbound: 41 mins - I caught the boat in front and had to back off quite a bit! Southbound: 32 mins - I was the lead boat so was able to keep my pace. It's quite something driving at nothing for the doors to suddenly open!

Thanks all! Sounds like we'll head for Anti-Clockwise then

Hi All, Long time lurker, first time poster on these forums! Our large family of 10 seem to be taking a narrowboat holiday each year. (Youngest is early 20's) We've completed Bunbury to Llangollen and back past Bunbury up to Chester and back to Bunbury again in 2016. Completed the Warwickshire ring in 2017 (Up the Hatton flight in about 2.5hrs). This year, we're booked with Black Prince at their Peak District base with the intentions of completing the Cheshire ring. Black Prince's Peak District base isn't on the ring, we have to clear the Harecastle tunnel first, but after that, what way around the ring would you suggest? (https://www.black-prince.com/peak-district-base-cheshire-ring-stoke-manchester-canal-boat-holiday/) As said, we're a large crew, all fairly experienced. We have our own (extra) Windlasses too, so can send crew on ahead on lock flights (assuming they are not in use of course), so locks don't take us long! We're due to be setting out in the middle of May, not a school half-term week, so not sure if that would affect traffic at all? We tend to cruise for about 10hrs a day. Any other things to watch out for/be aware of? Thanks Rob