Julie Rose Textiles, Sailing, Canal boats and more

Wednesday 8th April 2026

Left home about 10ish and got to Stone about 2pm after a short stop on the journey. Lots of supplies and new things for the boat on board and found a present from Richard, the previous owner on board, sloe whiskey .

So off on the journey, out of the marina and the first lock only just around the corner. Peter and Ieuan went to open it and left me on the boat to take it through the lock, it has a small run off as well and I had a little bump as I hadn’t steered so well, first of many I expect.

On through Stone and 3 more locks before we found a place to moor, Stone is full of narrow boats, a boat club and a boat yard, lots of lovely boats and lots that need a bit of care and attention . Once moored up off to find a pub, it has been a very warm day. First one was the Royal Exchange which had a fire going, not needed today then on to the Swan for another followed by a walk back to the boat along the tow path. Dinner and bed shortly afterwards, a long day.

Thursday 9th April

Weather looks OK this morning and boat nice and warm. got started about 8,30 lots to do today and want to stop at various places.

First lock just 50 yds away but then a whole 3 miles before another so time for cornflakes for breakfast on the go, have seen two big swans nests and this goose on her nest in the middle of the canal.

Stop at the Plume of Feathers but not for a drink although they were open for Coffee and Breakfast but we needed the shop for bread and sausages, on then to the mooring for the Wedgewood factory.

Thea factory is about 15 minute walk from the canal side now, the canal was used for delivery of materials and shipping finished products out. Just time for a cream tea at 10.30 in the cafe at the World of Wedgewood, all served on wonderful Wedgewood pottery.

Back to the boat, over the very busy level crossing, very fast trains going to where? I’d don’t know but very scary anyway.

On again and only one lock before we get into Stoke on Trent and the 5 locks through Stoke, all going well we were meeting boats coming the other way from a rally they had been on which meant that most of the locks were set for us. Nearly at the top and it started to rain, not just light rain but heavy rain, we were all soaked by the time we got to the top so moored up just past Etruria junction and put the heating on. We didn’t need lunch as the scones at the Cafe were large and the jam and cream very filling, when we were a bit dryer and Ieuan had done a couple of jobs it was dry enough to walk down to the Holy Inadequate for a pie and a pint. Back on board and off just a couple of miles further to be nearer the tunnel for tomorrow. Whilst dinner was cooking I found that I had no white wine and was teased for the rest of the evening. Sausage and mash went down well followed by cheese and biscuits and red wine!

Got the Fire-stick working with the TV after a while of passwords questions and stuff and we watched an hour of telly then bed .

Friday 10th April

Had an early start this morning as we had to be at the Harecastle tunnel for 9am booking going through. Got there 8.30 ish and had the safety briefing from the volunteer tunnel keepers, (not lock keepers) and were allowed through. Dry and very dark and takes about 40 minutes to get through the mile and a half.

Back into the air , but no time to stop and stare, as there is a junction immediately after and we needed to do a big left hand turn into the Macclesfield Canal, this accomplished but there were lots of boats moored up to pass in a very narrow canal.

Out into the country and this canal much narrower than the Trent and Mersey where we were. All the bridges are just wide enough to go through and there are lots of them.

Discussions with the crew suggested that we carry on to the Boswell flight of locks rather than stopping at Congleton for lunch.

Arrived at the flight at about 1.30 after bacon butties for lunch on the go. A boat coming down and a volunteer lock keeper to meet us. Helpful with boats coming down meaning the locks set our way. First boat we talked to had 9 people and a dog in their hire boat of 72 feet, it only just fits in the locks but they were having a good time.

We made good progress up the locks without incident and only a few bumps. Ieuan and I swopped driving after lock 6. We got to the top and decided to go on to Macclesfield but came to a surprise stop by a swing bridge. I had forgotten to check the map and thought it was a straight run, however easily traversed through as it was the electronic press button one. Found there was another after two bridges, this one not so easy, lift the jam then push! Luckily Peter had come off the boat as well as the jam is very heavy. Back on board and off the Macclesfield.

Moorings were full so had to go a bit further and found a very shallow bit to moor up, had to get out of the front of the boat as the back was about a yard out the bank! Anyway down a big hill into Macclesfield and then up to the Castle pub for in pint then on to a Tapas restaurant for dinner, it had been a long day. On the way up the hill we found a shop and my bottle of white wine was purchased and promptly put in the fridge for tomorrow. All tired a nightcap of Baileys and bed.

Saturday 11th April

Rain first thing so didn’t get up early, waited for the rain to stop so go off about 9.30 which was fine. A few miles to go before the Marple flight of 16 locks. Nice countryside a few very small ducklings, one duck has 12 and lots of geese sitting on their nests and even a few bluebells out so definitely good signs of Spring although it doesn’t feel like it we are all wrapped up in several layers and our big waterproofs at the ready.

Had lunch of toasted cheese and chorizo sandwiches before the end of the Macclesfield canal which then turns into the Peak Forest for the Marple flight, services at Marple were used and this is a new block, last time we came through it was closed and the yard now has a block of nice canal side houses where the yard was but anyway they had reinstated the services so all good.

Peter and I walked around the corner to the start of the Marple flight, we left Ieuan to do the big turn into the Peak Forest. Hoping to have a good journey through like we did on the Bosley flight but this was not to be. The first lock was almost full so easy to get that open but the gate was very heavy and hard to open. Peter walked on to the next one to get water in and the gates open and this worked well until about lock 4 where the gate absolutely refused to open for him, on inspection, there was more water going out than was able to come in at the top , the level was only about 4 inches down in the lock from the canal. We both pushed and pushed and tried again and eventually with both pushing we got the lock open. Ieuan then invited some walkers on board for the next lock which they enjoyed, and we had to have our photos taken.

Very heavy gates and steps up and down to the gates and by lock 7 I was tired so took over from Ieuan on the helm, lock 7 all went well then in the next lock was not open for me, Ieuan said there is a problem, yes a big problem, no water in the next pound, they had to let lots of water through which meant I was stuck outside the lock but time for a nice glass of white wine. Eventually was let into the lock and the water out but still not enough in the pound for me to travel through. Was left at the bottom of the lock for ages with water pouring in (see photo) to get enough water to get through the pound, then on though a very low pound, only touched bottom once and into the next lock. The next pound was fine. The boat ahead of us has left a paddle up which caused the issue in the first place.

On then without incident to the end of the flight but it did start raining again and a CRT lady helped at the last lock so Peter and Ieuan got on. A big turn next onto the Marple Aqueduct and I handed over to the Ieuan, Peter needed to rest and get warm as he had been out all the time and had had to walk up and down the flight because of the low pound.

Next a short tunnel and Peter and I said we will stop at the next pub, we were tired, only a couple of miles and we were there, there were mooring rings so all good, also as bonus and Aldi nearby so went to do the shopping first then on to the pub for a well deserved pint. Back to the boat for dinner, a quick look at the telly and watched the highlights of the Grand National and then bed.

Sunday 12th April

Waking up to heavy rain on the roof, second and third cups of tea and breakfast needed and then the rain had stopped so able to move on up the Peak Forest Canal to the junction with the Aston Canal, just one swing bridge and no locks to negotiate to the junction, very narrow in places and a few geese and ducks, lots of lovely decking at the bottom of peoples gardens going along and nice houses.

A big turn at the end of the Peak Forest canal into the Ashton canal and Peter and I let Ieuan do this, the Portland basis here has lots of older boats being done up and a nice museum about life in Manchester but no time to visit today.

Looking like it might rain again so waterproofs at the ready.

Along to the Droysden Marina where we had hoped to stay but was full so the first lock is just by this marina.

Eighteen locks here on the Ashton Canal to be done today, all spread out over 4 miles. Lots of black clouds around and windy, the wind can easily push the boat in any direction you don’t want it to go. After lock 16 a squall came across, well an April shower and we were just near a bridge so we sheltered under the bridge till the rain had gone. Onward and these lock gates were heavy and very leaky a couple of times it needed two to push to get the gate open and even on one occasion a rope was tied to the boat and the boat backed up to help open the gate as as much water was leaking out at the other end than was coming in this end.

A quick stop at the Strawberry Duck helped us along the way.

Another few locks and another April shower and another shelter under a bridge. Then we caught up with two other boats going down and they left the paddles up for us so this made a little quicker but a boat jam at lock 1 and had to wait a while. Moorings were looked for and rings found in Piccadilly Village and moored up. A very long day, 12 miles and 18 locks, all very tired, probably the hardest day so far. So going to enjoy a rest day tomorrow.

Peter and Ieuan explored a little my legs wouldn’t go any further but happy to make dinner of Salmon on Croute! Which was very good, bed by 9pm.

Monday 13th April

A rest day today. Very hard day yesterday so late up and cornflakes for breakfast . Off the boat walking along the tow path back to the locks that we came through and through New Islington Marina, and on through the Northern Quarter and found a lovely Coffee Shop with croissants, Peter and I had a plain croissant and Ieuan had one with cream and icing!

On then to the Craft and Design Centre and lots of little shops with makers, jewellery and paintings and ceramics, I bought a tile and some earrings.

Then on into Piccadilly and a pint in the Grey Mare, the Circus was far too busy, then on to Victoria Station as that was very old and had a map Ieuan loved, lunch here of samosas and then on again to the Marble Arch for the second of the day, very busy.

After all this walking a trip to Aldi on the way back to the boat and dinner of curry on board.

Ieuan and I had a Committee Meeting at 7.30 which went on till just after 9pm and a well need drink and bed.

Tuesday 14th April

Expecting a hard day today to do the Rochdale Nine through Manchester. Our friends Beverly and Jon were due to join us about 10 am so we had time for bacon Butties for breakfast to sustain us for the day. These locks are twice as wide as the locks we have been doing and you can get two boats side by side in the lock. We moved on to the top of the locks to meet our friends and found another boat waiting to go through, this was lucky on our part and more so for the other boat as he was on his own, apart from his dog.

The first lock was very hard to open, there was more water coming in over the lock gates than going out the other end so two people had to push each gate to get them moving. These locks also only have a handrail to get you across to the other side and you often get stuck one side and have to wait till the other gate is shut before you can get over.

Beverly stayed on the boat as this would not be easy for her on the gates. Beverly then took over the driving and she, like me, found it much different to our other boat that we had just sold.

With 4 people on the tow path it meant that one could go ahead to start to open the next lock and if possible get it open so there would be no stopping going through. This part of the canal goes right through the centre of Manchester and past Canal Street (the gay quarter). There is no tow path at that point so everyone had to get back on the boat but just enough time for Coffee for everyone.

On through the locks and having extra people meant that Beverly and the other boat could go straight into the next lock without having to tie up at the side.

Progressed well though the locks and passing a wicker work horse which had seen better days and some really nice planters that CRT had put in a while ago had got very overgrown. Lots of people watching all the way down on the bridges and many people walking along the canal paths, all busy going about their business with no hassle. Many years ago it was a different story going through Manchester as you are quite slow you may have been a target for thieves but now it is absolutely fine not issues at all.

Got to Lock 92 about 12 noon, very pleased with our progress and moored up in the Staffordshire Arm of the Castlefield Basin. Lunch was had on board and a beer of course. Jenny was due to collect Peter about 2pm and they went off to meet her and bring her back to the boat to see it. Peter and Jenny I’m sure will be back on the boat later in the year. They left on their way to Holyhead to go over to Dublin.

Beverly, Jon, Ieuan and I went to Cask for a pint or two and then took fish and chips back to the boat. We may have had a celebratory gin and tonic or two. Beverly and Jon went home on their tram and we to bed, very tired.

Wednesday 15th April

Easy day today just a few miles back to our mooring at Sale. I had a mooch around Manchester, the Northern Quarter with craft and fabric shops and Ieuan went to the Science and Industry museum. Off then towards Sale, stopping at Stratford Marina for diesel and water then on to the mooring past the pubs in Sale and to our mooring just taking up a little more of the canal side than we used to. Not too many weeds in the garden by our boat and all looking good.

Lots of things to do on the boat to improve it for us and I want to paint some sunflowers on the side.

A love 10 days and our thanks to Peter Beverly and Jon for helping, it would have taken much longer if it was just Ieuan and I.

Julie on Outrageous, 52 ft narrow boat made by Colecraft.

72 miles and 71 locks, through the Bosley Flight, Marple Flight, Ashton Canal and the Rochdale Nine in Manchester

Julie and Ieuan