Froghall and back to Cheddleton

Today's Canal - Caldon

Alas, back to greyness again - no more sunshine. At least, despite a brief feeble attempt to rain, the weather stayed dry.

As we prepared to set off we could hear the Churnet Valley Railway preparing to make several journeys today. Clearly at least some will be hauled by an historic diesel loco. As the line follows the canal very closely from here to Froghall we have hopes of seeing some action.

The first lock was quite soon. There are three locks between here and Froghall. At least being spaced out gives a chance to get our breath back before the next one!

The next section was at times very narrow, as well as bendy. For some distance, passing would not be possible so we were glad not to meet anyone.

A lonely lift bridge which was re-built around 1999 looks in excellent condition but as it is 'normally left open' it probably gets very little use.

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The next lock marks the start of a section on the River Churnet. As a result there is the all important level marker - green, OK to go, red stay above the lock. No problem today but the real depth in the water meant that we suddenly took on a much faster rate.

At the Black Lion pub the river goes under this footbridge and we are back to a canal. It was good whilst it lasted!

The railway now changes sides. The narrow channel under the bridge is followed by an even stranger section where the Consall Station platform is built out over the canal - the strange -flying' structure is a waiting room for this platform.

The next lock is the last on the canal and also has a specific component - a height gauge for Froghall Tunnel ahead. If your boat touches the red and white strips then you will not get through. We will not!

The remainder of the canal to Froghall is yet more bends and narrows - the non-passing sections seem to be even longer. On the way we passed under `Cherryeye Bridge. Why that name? Wait until the return trip!

Eventually we reached the winding hole before the tunnel where we have no choice but to turn around. However, the hole is small and only allows boats up to 65ft to turn. It took us quite a lot of to-ing and fro-int to get around. Full length boats can travel so long as they fit into the low tunnel as there is a larger winding hole in the basin beyond.

We moored for a short while on the visitor moorings and took a stroll down to the tunnel entrance.

The height gauge shows why it is needed as the tunnel roof drops in the middle. It would be tempting to think that boats that could get in could then get out! (The same is true at Harecastle Tunnel)

Time then to set off back once more. One might imagine that the Cherryeye name resulted from someone painting the arch red. However, it is believed that the name arises from miners working at a nearby ironstone quarry. The redness in the stone rubbed off onto their hands and from there onto their eyes. 

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We missed a photo opportunity on the way down but remembered it here! Still too high . . . Actually, we were no so out of range as we expected but the main problem would seem to be the edges of the cabin roof which would likely have given away a lot of their paint.

As we passed Consall Station we eventually saw a steam loco at close quarters. It was running free with its train of coaches left down at Froghall by an earlier diesel loco-hauled service.

At the water point opposite the Black Lion we filled up, but not without incident. The pressure was extremely high and blew our adapter hose to fit the water tank entry right off and into the water where it sank without trace. This home made adapter (mainly a short length of hose with a connector to fit the end of our hose) This then allowed the water in the hose to spray everywhere - a high pressure hose is just uncontrollable. Mike got a soaking, and Christine wet feet. We eventually managed to cobble together parts that allowed us to fill the tank but it will be much better when we can replace the 'proper' adapter.

Alongside the water point mooring stand the remains of former lime kilns, a reminder of the importance of several industries on the growth of the economy in this area. These kilns were built between 1806 and 1816 for a local wealthy landowner and by the mid 19C thousands of men were employed in the area. See here for more detail.

We also had lunch whilst moored here and then continued back up to Cheddleton. Shortly before we reached our intended mooring for the day we had a splendid panoramic, if distant, view of a steam service that had just departed Cheddleton Station.

9.9 Miles - 8 Locks