>
> We've had this conversation before, haven't we? I would not aim for
the 9 in
> the same day, especially after an early start. Is Piccadilly
Village the new
> development on the left before the junction with the Rochdale? If
so, it's
> by far the best mooring in Mcr: secure, quiet and close to
Chinatown which
> is a great place to get the best Chinese food in the country (and I
say that
> as a Londoner!)
>
> Steve
Piccadilly village is as you say but there is absolutely nothing
wrong with the Castlefields area - I must have spent at least about 5
nights there in perfect peace. Last time down there we left Portland
Basin about 7am and despite a half hour delay where BW had
immobilised some hydraulic paddles after vandalism the night before
and an hours delay where locals had disposed of a barrowfull of
bricks on the bottom cill of a lock chamber we were left at the top
of the 9 with a choice of doing the same day in the company of
another boat or the next day on our own - we went in company, these
locks are still very heavy going. We were moored in Castlefield by
about 5 pm not having rushed at any stage of the day.
John
