Wednesday 12th July 2006
A gentle start to Wednesday, with some visiting the Museum where the boat
in the working lock model was stuck on the lock cill because of the lack of
water in the model a truthful representation of the local canal, as we were
to find out a couple of days later. Over the Aqueduct onto the Peak Forest
Canal, a lift bridge then a tunnel. At the Marple Aqueduct, we stopped to
wonder at its height and size then finally the superb Marple Flight of 16 locks
hove into view. Magnificent deep rock built structures but unfriendly to
bowhaulers as the small bridges at the bottom of most locks had no towpath,
hence the butty had to be aimed through. The teams under Kevin and Darren
worked 8 locks each, one with the motor and the other with the butty, swapping
halfway we reckoned on 3½ hours as good going. Next the glorious 6½ stretch
to Whaley Bridge, with the Pennine Hills and many swing and lift bridges to
keep everyone busy. Meanwhile Seb, Craig and Kevin produced a
sumptuous spaghetti bolognese type meal with every type of bean (and a few
grapes) added. At 9.30 we reached the Bugsworth Basin complex, recently
reopened and full of moored boats. We cruised to the very end and moored in the
remains of the lime shed. Football and songs to round the evening off.
Thursday 13th July 2006
Thursday breakfast of fried spam was new to some. Afterwards we followed the
waymarked tour around the huge limestone harbour that this had once been.
Finishing at the Navigation Inn (a real old fashioned pub now up for sale and
no doubt gentrification) for non-alcoholic drinks, some to play pool, others to
play on the Rosie & Jim toy rocking boat! At the basin we also saw the new BW
tug and pod pans being named. This new £80,000 boat apparently has a fast 4
bladed prop that continually gets stuck in the weeds and dented by debris in
the canal obviously designed by an expert. Water filled and toilets emptied
it was nearly afternoon by the time we left Bugsworth. Downhill locking was
that much quicker, and the teamwork excellent. At the bottom of the flight we
climbed down to the river to look at the underneath of the Aqueduct. This
involved lots of scrambling over rocks and streams and one or two amusing
falls. But the journey was worthwhile and the climb back
not appearing too steep. Mooring at Hyde by 6.30, followed by a corned beef
salad from Craig and Stephen. The mooring was ideal, by an empty car park for
football, and a bridgehole full of rubbish even a motorbike for the
grappling team. A hot night so we slept under the stars with the covers pulled
back.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
