Wednesday 31 August 2016

Had a lovely peaceful night at the nature reserve and we weren't even woken up by the big iron birds!

Three miles and two tunnels later we arrived at the bottom of the Marple flight (16 locks) which surprised me as I thought we were still going to be going down!  The first lock was empty so I thought we were in luck.  I am not sure whether the gates just leak really badly on the rest of the flight or someone had emptied the bottom lock as the rest were full - some tough paddles on these gates!  We passed a boat coming down the flight at lock 5 so we left the gates open for each other but by the time we had got through there the next lock was half full again!  

We then caught up with a boat in front of us so we swapped and Steve did the locks for a while and I drove the boat.  Four locks later and we swapped back again!  As we climbed the flight the surroundings became more and more picturesque.  Almost to the top - two more locks but the water level in the pound is quite low - Steve got half way across and grounded out so I had to go to the top and open all the paddles to let some water down, thankfully it wasn't long before we were floating again.  We got to the top and turned right into the Macclesfield Canal.  Quick pit stop to empty and fill and we carried on for a bit.  

We had heard that the Macclesfield Canal was quiet but compared to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal it was positively heaving!

We only chugged for a short while longer and found a nice open (for a TV signal) quiet spot.

Through Woodley Tunnel - the first of three today.

Heading for the Marple Aqueduct - it doesn't look so impressive as you approach.

Well thank you Benjamin Outram.

Memories of Chirk Aqueduct on the Llangollen.

Arriving at the bottom of the Marple Flight of 16 locks.

Leakie Lock!

It's very pretty along here - shame it is dull and drizzly! 

Passing another boat half way up.

There are some interesting buildings on the canal.

I'm down in the bottom of the lock - much prefer being at the top!

Steve's got the gates open on the next one for me!

In the last lock - looking back down the flight.

Turning right into the Macclesfield Canal

We didn't go to Bugsworth Basin at the end of the Peak Forest Canal but I have heard good things about it so we will have to come back and do it again!

Digging for gold!