Turning north, the Macclesfield at last

We leave the Trent and Mersey Canal and join the Macclesfield Canal

All SaintsChurch Lawton All Saints Church is just by the moorings

The approach to the next locks is really pretty, as cherry trees line the canal. The Red Bull flight of six locks take the Trent and Mersey up to Hardings Wood Junction.

cherry treesCherry Trees

The first three locks (46-44) are alongside the railway and at the top is Red Bull Wharf, with the BW boaters facilities and some 48h moorings. Not much remains of the old wharf but a couple of "token" cranes.

Red Bull WharfWharf and cranes (taken last autumn)

lock 43 Lock 43 is a single lock; all the rest are double

As we ascended this lock, we could see the Poole Aqueduct ahead. This substantial aqueduct takes the Macclesfield Canal north over the Trent and Mersey. However, we still had a bit of a way to go before we crossed it!

hire boat in lock 42Hire boat exiting Lock 42 from under Poole Aqueduct

As we rose in this lock, we remembered last autumn, when John did a quick visit to the Macclesfield Canal from here! The photos he took were quite atmospheric - clickety click

Our final lock on the Trent and Mersey was ahead, but I had forgotten the extremely low bridge beforehand. Fortunately, only our radio aerial caught (just) on the bridge. However I had to bend double and use the line of Epiphany's hand rails to gauge my entrance. My eyes were on a level with them - it was a good job John was not on the helm, as he would have been on his knees!

Bridge very low aheadBridge 133 before Red Bull top locks (41)

Hardings Wood Junction is above this lock. Beyond, the Trent and Mersey Canal carries on under the railway bridge, towards Harecastle Tunnel. The Junction is wide and so turning right onto the Macclesfield is not too difficult.

lock 41 and junctionIn the top lock with a view of Hardings Wood Junction

Within a few minutes we were on the Macclesfield Canal and pretty soon we left the conurbation of Kidsgrove behind us, for the peace and quiet of this lovely canal. To do it justice I shall begin our journey on the next blog!  This will also bring you up to date - at last!

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