Julie Rose Textiles and Sailing

Monday 12th June 2023

Starting our journey today, going through Manchester City Centre today, big locks and probably quite hard. Hoping to get around the Cheshire Ring . Thunderstorm last night

Tuesday 13 June

Left Sale, 10:30 ish arrived at Castlefield for 12:30 and found the first lock open, a good start for the Rochdale Nine. Ropes needed in all these locks as they are double, my rope throwing skills are not good and these are deep locks but only had three attempts in one lock with people watching of course. I drove through the first few then we swopped and I had charge of the windless.

Went through Canal Street with no incidents , Manchester is a happening city with lots of city workers using the canal or walk to work or just enjoy the canal, stories of problems are now in the past, although I wouldn’t attempt to go through late at night. Lots of rubbish around which was a shame. Caught up with another boat Bagpuss in the seventh lock and went through the last two with them, much easier with two boats no ropes needed. Went on through two more locks with another boat a single handler and on to New Islington Marina for the night. A well deserved pint in Cask.

A trip down memory lane for Ieuan in the evening to The Marble Arch, excellent Cherry Stout although the bar shape had changed and a garden added since he was last there some 25 years ago. Talked with locals there and then walked to Piccadilly for food. A long day but a good achievement.

Wednesday 14 June

New Islington is a newish development around basins in the canal and the place for city living without traffic, lots of designer dogs being walked early morning before their owners off to work, also a lovely bakery called Pollen but we left too early but not too worry as we would have to pass the other end of the Marina in five locks time and I could have croissants or pastries! So back down two locks on the Rochdale to turn onto the Ashton Canal and onto narrow locks for the rest of the day, three more locks and we were about 200 yards from where we started and I was able to get croissants, amazing looking and so much other bread etc that looked very good. Had to try to find somewhere to stop to eat these with a coffee. The towpath has no rings here after lock four and nowhere to get a mooring stake in so went on to the next lock which has a good sized basin and lots of rings. Coffee and croissants enjoyed.

On to Droysden Marina today. Met another boat coming into the lock after our breakfast so we’re hoping all the locks might be set in our favour. These Ashton locks are very deep with lots of weeds growing up inside the locks, but as they are the narrow locks quicker to let water in or out. Quite a lots of rubbish again in the canal. Looking like being another hot day but with some breeze.

The next the next nine locks went without incident with us swapping roles every couple or so, passing lock 13 there was a welcome site of a pub garden so moored up just after and went for a lunchtime pint in the Strawberry Duck which as very pleasant then lunch on the boat. Into the next lock but crunch!! Something on the prop! Had to pull the boat out of the lock and open the weed hatch to see what had happened, Ieuan needed hammer and stake to get a big bit of a log off the prop. Not much weed in the weed hatch so off again. Callam and Ryan and Max the dog we met in the pub garden came by and we’re interested in the boat and canal and were amazed how heavy the lock gates were to push (they should try the Rochdale nine), they jumped on board and had lots of questions about how the canal worked etc. then we came to the swing bridge which was a new experience and this was very hard to push Ryan helped me and got it locked back up and he got on board and walked to the next lock, quite breezy now so harder to steer the boat. With these two helping a little we got to the last lock and through and to the water point at lock 19.

Dinner on board then off for a wander around Droysden, lots of new building going on around the canal and a few new establishments in the square in Droysden which we’re looking very good and very busy, we were tired and went back to the boat the 21 locks had definitely tired us out. A G and T on the boat and bed.

Thursday 15 June

A little shopping needed in the Tesco nearby and a look in the charity shops for interesting things then off just a few miles to Portland Basin.

The canal is quite wise here but the bridges are narrow with the tow path sticking out into the canal, can be quite tricky with only about a 6 inches to spare each side. Met an unwanted site at bridge 22 three Grundon bins in the canal just before a big motorway bridge, room to get by but just hoping nothing else under the water there. On to Portland and stopped.

A pleasant couple of hours in the industrial museum there, an old street to walk down with all the shops from the early 20th century. A walk down the first part of the Peak Forest canal for tomorrow and a pub found The Chapel for a drink, dinner on board then off into Ashton for a look around, an old mining town with several interesting statues and buildings of great stature for a town that is looking a little shabby but plenty of shops and an adaption the the Market Hall, closed in the evening but looking vibrant during the day.

Friday 16th June

left Portland basin to start on the Peak Forest Canal down to Marple, no locks today, just a lift bridge which Ieuan did then two tunnels and an amazing aqueduct to Marple only to find when we got there that the locks wouldn’t be open until Sunday, we had thought it was going to be Saturday and Bev and Jon were going to help us through the locks but some misunderstanding on the web site or my part meant that the locks would be open on Sunday . Because of the water shortage and a problem at a reservoir higher up the locks are only open two days a week. So we walked up the flight of locks just to check, about a mile and 16 locks, a nice put at the top, the Ring of Bells and a well deserved pint, another hot day.

Saturday 17th June

Bev and Jon came over anyway for a dat on the canal, so went back towards Woolley and found a winding hole to turn and then of course a put for lunch, then another one for a drink and yet another one! Back too the boat for nibbles and tea, then walked with them up to the station to say goodbye for now. Lots of walking up hill today.

Sunday 18th June

Locks opened at 8:30 and we were the third boat starting through, I drove to start with then we swopped at about lock 8. There were quite a few CRT volunteer lock keepers helping everyone through and mostly it went to plan but one pound was very low as the boat in front had not shut the paddles properly and a boat coming down got grounded and they had to let more water in before it could continue so that took lots longer but did get to the top at about 12:30 and then turned left for Whaley Bridge. There was also a running race around the locks as well today.

Lots of boats on the way on this bit of the Peak Forest and it seemed to take ages as we had to slow to pass all the boats. One narrow bits a work boat was coming the other way and I got into a muddle with him and the bank but didn’t get stuck so all was well.

Arrived Whaley Bridge to a few spots of rain, went into the Canal Group shop which was full of second hand books and music and had a coffee there, then the heavens opened and we hadn’t shut the boat up properly so I ran back to shut the hatch etc, Ieuan came back and we put the canopy up. Off for a pint when it stopped a bit to the Whaley Tap which was good. Back to the boat for dinner in lots and lots of rain but we did have our waterproofs so not too soaked!!

Monday 19th June 2023

Left Whaley Bridge after buying cake and Eccles cakes to have with our coffee and Derbyshire Oat Cakes for Ieuan for breakfast tomorrow. Nice pleasant cruise back to Marple past by some Giant Hogweed which really was giant. Stopped at the swing bridge in Disney as it suggested there was a pub just a few steps up the hill, it was more than a few but still was a nice place and a nice little village but with the A6 running straight though very heavy lorries constantly going past. Back to the boat and on to High Lane for stopping over, again s short walk to a pub and back for dinner on board.

Tuesday 20th June 2023

Raining as forecast when we woke up, slow to get going but Ieuan donned waterproof and wellies and drove while I made Eccles Cakes inside. By lunchtime the rain had eased and we stopped just past Lyme View Marina for lunch. As the rain had stopped I took over the driving and went on past mills and chimney’s and even saw an otter at about bridge 24. Ieuan suggested stopping at Clarence Mill but we were already past the moorings and I wasn’t going back!

On though lots more bridges to Macclesfield where we met with ‘ Comfortably Numb’ who suggested a number of pubs nearby. Found The Wharf and some nice beer and had a game of domino’s, I won the first game and had to buy the second round of beer, that didn’t seem right to me, anyway Ieuan won the second game so he had to buy dinner, fish and chips from down in the town and sat and ate it on. A step. Another pub The Castle to visit and me a character in there called Dave, back to the boat and we were visited by two excited dogs walking on the tow path.

Wednesday 21st June

Were visited by the same dogs this morning, we were still in bed, all doors and windows open as it was hot. Walked down into Macclesfield, had to do a little good shopping, had a coffee and a very nice Vanilla Slice to share. Then had to shelter in Sports Direct as the heavens opened to a very heavy rainstorm which lasted about half an hour, found some sandals in the sale, was very pleased. Back to the boat, no lunch needed and off on our way to the Bosley flight of locks. Not many miles but another pub advertising at Gurnett so had to stop for one, arrived at the top of the Bosley locks which is completely out in the country, no pubs no nothing there. Made use of the CRT shower facilities which there was plenty of hot water but the Elson disposal was not working.

Thursday 22nd June 2023

Up early to get ready for the 12 locks in the Bosley flight today, stopped at the water point at the top to fill up and got rid of all the rubbish as well. We were the fourth boat to go down and soon met another boat coming up so that made things easier, as we got towards the bottom of the flight there were lots of people helping to get boats through. Speaking to them found that there were 25 boats waiting in the queue to come up that day. With the locks only open 2 days a week this can only get worse, from our end there were only 8 boats waiting to go down. A hot day as well so everyone wanted to get going, aa couple of hire boats were on a ‘tight schedule’ and were trying to hurry things up but the canals are not the place to be on a ‘tight schedule’.

Past 13 boats still waiting to go up when we got to the bottom and cruised on in peace to Scholars Green where we went for a walk in the cool of the evening and back on board for a drink.

Friday 22nd June

So off to the end of the Macclesfield Canal around a twisty bit that takes you down via two locks to the Trent and Mersey Canal into Kidsgrove where er went to Lidl and had ice cream sitting on the bank of the canal, the Blue Bell Inn closed, only opening at 4pm. The water here is quite an orangey colour, similar to that near Worsley on the Bridgewater. Used the facilities for Elson disposal but the showers etc were locked out of order.

Two single locks seem to be usual here and coming in pairs of two sometimes three with gaps in between and no restrictions here. Some of them were very stiff to close with the single gate. Nine more locks and stopped at Rode Heath where the Borough Arms was very welcoming and we met up with a friend there for a meal which was very good. Very busy pub with lots going on.

Saturday 23rd June

A quick trip to the Village Stores for the Saturday paper then twelve more locks today along a stretch of about three miles to end up Wheelock and The Cheshire Cheese.

A lot of boats coming up so made for easy progress through these pairs of locks. Went into Sandbach with our friend and were shown around the town, some very impressive old Tudor looking buildings and some ancient crosses in the cobblestoned square. Dinner on board and then a walk in the cool of the evening over fields and back along the canal.

Sunday 24th June 2023

A nice easy cruise only four locks all the way to Middlewich, very late start after a breakfast of bacon sandwiches, we smelt them on the boat next door and i went off to the shop which is just 100 yards down from the moorings. Was able to do water and Elson here, facilities all working. Arrived at the top lock in Middlewich to find a sunny pub garden and defiantly time to stop for a pint at the King’s Lock, was very good walked on to see if the locks were clear for Middlewich but there was a queue of three boats so went back to the pub and had another pint and a bag of crisps.

Eventually boats came through and we made ou way through the three locks, each boat helping each other and boats passing in the basin between first and second lock. Moored up just outside Middlewich during a very heavy shower where I got soaked to the skin as I was on the towpath and Ieuan got his waterproof on. Then walked along the towpath to the Big Lock pub where we had another drink, then back through the town to find yet another pub that Ieuan used to frequent for yet another drink. Bought pizza for supper after all that walking, drinking and locks.

Monday 26th June 2023

Amazingly felt OK this morning and cruised on to the Lion Salt Works at Marsden, only to find that it is closed on Monday’s. Walked then through the nature reserve into Northwich, bit of rain on the way, walked around the town and charity shops, Ieuan got a lovely silk shirt, i got a new handbag as mine had broken. Nice craft beer stop in the town then walking back had to stop as the heavens opened but sheltered in the town. Back on board and off to Anderton for the night. A pint in the Stanly Arms and another shower or two this evening and a quiet night on the boat.

Tuesday 27th June 2023

An early start through the Barnton tunnel then on to make the Sandersford tunnel for on the hour to 20 past the hour which was OK then on to the Preston Brook tunnel. There was a bit of a hold up at the Dutton stop lock which was overflowing the top gate but got though and into the tunnel which is on the hour to 10 past and we just made this in time and back on the Bridgewater. Met some friends for lunch then on the Stockton Heath for the evening. A long walk though the town over the Ship canal down the Trans Pennine Path to Walton and back across a bridge back to the boat, not via any pubs this time.

Wednesday 28th June 2023

A quick look around Stockton Heath then on to Lymn for a walk and a pint in Costelo’s then on on the Bridgewater to Sale. Lovely big bridges, were able to keep the canopy up as it was raining, just had to be careful of the trees all overgrown. Back to our mooring and a pint in the Railway.

Thursday 29th June

Did a bit of gardening and dug the boules pitch for Saturday then went over to Beverley’s to collect the car but ended up staying for tea and helping her with cutting the garden hedges.

Friday 30th June

Still a bit rainy but i wanted to go to the RHS Garden at Bridgewater which is what we did, had a couple of hours wondering around then to a pub for lunch as the garden cafe was so busy. Off to catch up with Shirley and some shopping and a drink in the club.

Saturday 1st July

Work party this morning to tidy up for Boules this afternoon.