We decided to set off as promptly as we could comfortable manage so that we could expect to be above the 16 Marple locks by lunchtime and then be able to go shopping ion the small town centre.
We were into the first lock just before 9 and came up it much as expected. They are deep locks, averaging just over 13 feet each. At this stage our predicted arrival at Marple by 12;30 seemed on target. How wrong could we be?
Problems began at Lock 2 where the top ground paddle was chained up. This meant having to fill the lock only using the gate paddle. With this depth, this needs considerable care, especially until half full to avoid the risk of filling the front well deck with water. Overall, just over a third of the locks (at least) had non-functioning ground paddles.
We made steady if somewhat slow progress and then at Lock 5 we swapped roles with Christine taking to the towpath to operate the paddles and gates. Most of the working paddles and the gates were in reasonably good condition and straightforward. There were plenty of walkers, many families, so she was easily able to call on extra help when something turned a bit heavy. If the problem arose when our boat was first into the lock Mike was in no mood to climb up the ladder to help - more than willing in the more frequent shallower locks.
Lock 7 had to have extensive repair over the winter - Marple Locks have, for many years, been the scene of big winter projects: walls of the deep locks gradually start to bow inwards and then have to be re-built. Here the wall to the left looked great - it has only been back in action for a few months. Not so sure about the other one which has a distinct bow in it.
Although there was a good flow down the bywash, from here on to the top we had a lot op problems with low water levels. The pound between 7 and 8 took a .long tome to cross as Mike gradually eased out and over the cill and then felt his way to the next lock, using every trick he knew to get the boat unstuck from the bottom! This required so much attention that he forgot to take a photo of how low the pound was.
Nearer the top the problem was exacerbated by having extremely short pounds - we had to pass three boats coming down and in two cases the pound was barely longer than either boat. This meant care from the steerer to pass each other. The shortness of the pounds in some cases was coupled with very little of storage ponds so that a lockful of water made a considerable difference to the level.
And so it was with a sense of achievement that we arrived at Lock 16, Top Lock (which worked quite well!)
We then moored immediately beyond the junction with the Macclesfield Canal. Not really a mooring spot (the next part is so labelled) but a local boater from the marina opposite suggested that it was OK. In any case, we needed lunch!
There was a debate how when to use the services - they are a very short distance down the Macc, just beyond the junction bridge. But we had realised that there was a suitable mooring space free just two boats on which, as soon as lunch was done, we speedily moved into. As the number of moving boats suddenly rose (probably locally moored boats out for a short Bank Holiday trip) we did not want to risk losing this convenient spot, just 7 minutes (on Google Maps) walk to the shops. So we deferred a decision about services until later.
The Google walking route was quite a bit shorter than the more obvious route as it knew about a couple of back lanes between the older terraced houses! We completed the essential shopping (didn't want to overburden the carrier on the way back up the hill!) and then had a cup of tea with an Eccles cake from one of the bakeries.
1.3 Miles - 16 Locks
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