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In February 2016 I need to take a 57 foot shared boat over the Rochdale to Sowerby Bridge which will be our new base. I am thinking about the Manchester to Rochdale Summit section and where we might safely moor overnight on this stretch. At present my idea is to start early from Castlefields and go to Thomas Telford Basin (a tiny detour up the Ashton but recommended as a safe mooring). Additional crew join us at TT Basin. The nest day we make for The Rose of Lancaster PH. After that I am not sure. Is there anywhere in Littleborough? Any advice would be very welcome.

I only bought a grp last year to play with for a couple of years before I can afford a narrowboat to use in retirement, I have hired boats before this over most of the system .. My question is, my boat is fine but I have trouble with the calorifier throwing all the water out of the tank as soon as it gets hot,so a valve problem or new one needed,apart from that the shower room is very small and think I would only use if really did not have another option. So when I take it out for a few days soon , I would prefer to stay in a marina occasionally , so I can get up and have a shower in the morning,as there is no cart services any good in the vicinity, even if it is every other day, and also possible hook up so g/f can use straighteners [ my inverter 1500w ,not enough]. So what is the score with Marinas, reasonable size ones,can you just steer in and look for someone to ask ''can I moor here for the night'' or do you have to plan ahead all the time and ring ahead .Probably all different but what do other people do if required, although narrowboaters will not have the same problem usually. As I have only hired before I am not too confident with pulling in to off canal private mooring marinas, and trying to use their facilities [i know I would have to pay] for mooring/showers. My other option is to stay in a b and b every couple of days overnight if its close to the boat.[which is my current plan] I will only be travelling up from Scarisbrick to the Bridgewater, have a play around there then back three or four days out and three or four days return. Last time I went out as far as Crook stayed overnight outside the nice pub there, in the morning went past the marina there and wondered, can I just cruise in, find out if they have a coffee shop there, toilets shower, moor up for a couple of hours etc, or is that not the done thing. I decided not to, as it did not have any welcoming signs. So at the moment if it doesn't say outside in big letters come in and blah de blah I don't. Am I being too polite or naïve.?