Before we set off, Mike walked Tesco for a paper and a few other items but also to track down an optician. Christine was having problems with her main pair of specs, with one lens having a tendency to pop out of its frame. As it was just a short distance from where we were moored, she then took her specs and they kindly fixed the problem by tightening up a screw - no charge!
We were almost ready to leave when another boat, which had moored one lock up at the mooring opposite Tesco, came through. As the notice on each lock asks us to Save Water - Keep Two Locks Apart, we waited until they had descended the next lock - we could not see any further!
At the second lock - the last in Stalybridge -a workboat and pusher tug were tied up on the towpath, adding an additional hazard to entry into the lock.
Looking back over the Tame Aqueduct we could see the problem vegetation that created difficulties on our way up.
The brick coloured tin shed that we noted on the way up is part of The Stamford Group and their web site says that "We are primarily an injection mouldings company with a conscience."
Just above Lock 1W is a very narrow section. Initially it might seem as if this had the same origins as the narrow part in Stalybridge. However, whilst there the bridges all have date stones marked 2000, this one has 1856 inscribed in the parapet. The old maps show no obvious reason why the canal is so enclosed.
At Portland Basin we spotted Lilith one of the boats restored by the Wooden Canal Boat Society that we passed yesterday.
At Dukinfield we turned left onto the Lower Peak Forest, passing over the River Tame once more and then the entrance to Portland Basin Marina.
A little further and the only lift bridge around here came into view. Not difficult to open but it did take a lot of turns on the windlass! Immediately after the bridge we passed the boat that came down the five locks this ,morning in front of us. They had picked up rather a lot of unwanted rubbish on their prop. We could sympathise especially as we suspected that we might have a similar exercise to do before long.
Beside the towpath is this plaque in memory of Mary Moffat 1795 - 1871 who was a missionary in Africa and an inspiration to he son-in-law David Livingstone, although she disapproved of the marriage with her daughter also called Mary! See here for some fascinating detail.
This old industrial building is being converted into offices. The construction date on the side is 1828 so it must have seen considerable changes over the nearly two centuries since it was built.
Mot of the turnover bridges along this canal have the same 'snake' design for which the Macclesfield Canal is noted.
We had picked out a possible lunch stop in the area of a country park and nature reserve but alas we did not make it that far before we had to pull in to clear our prop - the canal is hallow and speed low anyway but we had reached the point where we could have a long conversation with people we passed on the towpath! (well, almost)
However, along this canal, much of the towpath side is very shallow and even our our second (or was it third?) attempt did we get close. Even so, we had to moor with the stern rather further from the bank than we would have liked but three boats did manage to squeeze by. To make matters worse, the verge was very stony and pins would not go in to a proper depth. One of the passing boats pulled out the stern pin. In any event, we had to deploy the landing plank to get ashore.
There were not a large quantity of 'stuff' around the prop but the main problem was a very elastic webbing band. After much effort, everything was removed. By now Mike demanded his lunch before setting off. Not sure that the last boat to pass shared his view of the urgency!
We had two short tunnels to pass through and the scenery alongside the canal gradually became more rural. Note the magnet fishing in progress!
Romiley Board Mill is a sudden interruption to the otherwise green surroundings to the canal. The mills was originally built in 1833 as a cotton mill. In the First World War it turned its hand to making margarine but in 1923 it graduated to board making which it still does. They also make card tubes such as those in the centre of carpet rolls.
Just short of the Marple Aqueduct we arrived at one of the few places marked in our guides as suitable to moor on this canal. At least the edge had piling so we could use our chains g
to secure the boat - much less effort than hammering in pins, especially in ground that does not want to accept them!
Whilst Mike prepared Shepherd's Pie for this evening, Christine went for a walk over the aqueduct and as far as the bottom of the Marple flight.
The railway viaduct is a busy line with frequent trains.
She was also able to take a good look at the new, at one stage controversial, railing on the offside of the Aqueduct .
8.5 Miles - 5 Locks
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