Lyme Green – Bosley Locks – Ramsdell Hall

The sun was shining as we set off for Bosley Locks, passing through two swing bridges to get there. We passed nine boats coming up the flight of twelve and only had to fill three locks by ourselves. The clouds were getting heavier and darker as we neared the bottom, then the rain came, luckily we were near a bridge and waited for the worst to pass. We moored at the bottom of Bosley for lunch, the sun came out again so we decided to carry on. Leaving us only a short cruise tomorrow to Heritage Boats for our engine service.

Swing bridge at Danes Moss

Lock 1 at the top of Bosley Locks

Bosley Locks takes some beating for panoramic views

 

The Bosley Cloud, the hill in the background. It is 1,026 ft above sea level at it’s summit

Moored for lunch at the bottom of the flight

Aqueduct over the river Dane

Viaduct near Congleton

Dog Lane Aqueduct at Congleton Wharf

Mow Cop, rises above 1,000 ft above the canal and Wilbraham’s Folly which dates from 1754

Moored for the night opposite Ramsdell Hall

Hawk Green to Lyme Green

Set off today in unexpected sunshine, staying dry all day. Passed through Bollington and Macclesfield, being treated to wonderful countryside views. The  mills we saw today have all been preserved and kept in good condition. Moored at Lyme Green ready to tackle Bosley locks tomorrow.

Fine views all round

Clarence Mill at Bollington

The Macc quite narrow in places

The Hovis Mill at Macclesfield

A cutting of high sided stone retaining walls

A typical Macclesfield roving bridge

Bugsworth Basin to Hawk Green

It was time for us to leave Bugsworth Basin, using the services on our way out. A pleasant morning cruise back along the Peak Forest Canal to Marple. Turning onto the Macclesfield Canal, mooring just after bridge 5 as it began to rain.

  Disley swing bridge on the Peak Forest

Turning left at Marple Junction onto the Macclesfield Canal

Passing under bridge 1, Macclesfield Canal Co’s perishable goods warehouse on the right

Goyt Mill, cotton spinning ceased here in the 60’s

Bugsworth Basin

We had a last minute arranged visit from our daughter Claire and my mum. It was a lovely surprise and was great to see them. The weather was fantastic today, we went to the Navigation Inn for lunch and it was even hot enough to eat outside. Bugsworth is a vast complex of wharves and thanks to the hard work of volunteers now holds Ancient Monument status. The area with its limekilns was handling 600 tons of limestone and lime daily in the 1880’s. It is a lovely place to stay for awhile, to relax and explore.

       

Marple to Bugsworth Basin

It was still raining first thing this morning so we waited until it brightened. We were going to spend an extra night at Marple, but there had been some trouble on Friday night. A boat had been broken into and another had a brick through the window, and we thought Marple was a nice place. We didn’t want to push our luck as we seemed to have been lucky so far. We just got through the Wigan flight and it was closed, just got through the Rochdale and it was closed, just got through Ashton and now we hear that is closed. !! We have passed more boats today, than in the last three weeks and there were still plenty moored in the basin. Having found a nice spot we will stay here for a few days.

Lovely views on the Peak Forest Canal

Passing the Matlow/Swizzels factory. Smelt like they were making midget gems

Hopefully we will have blue skies on the way back, still can’t complain we kept dry today

Wandering through Bugsworth Basin choosing our mooring spot

This will do nicely

Moored on the middle basin

Looking down on the lower basin

Portland Basin to Marple

The decision today was if we woke to rain we would stay where we were, but as we woke to blue skies and sunshine we set off for Marple. We had a 2.5 hour cruise before we reached the flight, in nice weather. Just as we started the flight it started to rain and never stopped, which was a shame as it is one of our favourite flights, luckily it was only light rain so to a point was still enjoyable. It was still nice to get in and get dry after 16 locks. We had a farewell meal with Dave in the Navigation Inn and thanked him for all his hard work.

One of the many roving bridges, typical of this area

Hyde Bank Tunnel, 308 yards

Rose Hill Tunnel, without its roof.

Marple Aqueduct and viaduct over the Goyt Valley

Lock 9, Oldknows Warehouse

Horse Tunnel at lock 13

Manchester to Portland Basin

Spent a quiet night in Manchester and awoke to blue skies and sunshine, ready to tackle the Ashton flight of 18 locks. However our progress was hindered from the start as workmen were working near lock 2 and had drained the pound. After a little  while we managed to get enough water down to get the boat over the cill and get to the next lock. Further on at lock 12 we had our next obstacle as we found a car in the canal next to the lock, luckily we could just squeeze by. Just to finish off the day the heavens opened as we were trying to find moorings between a fishing match.

Piccadilly Village

Start of the Ashton flight

Just enough water to gingerly get by

Manchester Stadium across the road from the lock

Luckily we could just squeeze by

Lock 18, the top of the Ashton flight at Fairfield Junction

Junction Mill, Portland Basin

Portland Basin junction onto the Peak Forest Canal

Crossing the aqueduct over the River Tame

Portland Basin Museum, home to historic wooden boats Forget me Not, Lilith and Hazel who is under current restoration

The water wheel at the museum

Moored just before bridge no 1 on the Peak Forest Canal