Macclesfield and Marple here we come

Sunday, 09 May 2010 19:00

The Junction signpost proves we are northward bound

Immediately the canal atmosphere changed and I took a few deep breaths as I heard the sounds of spring around us and then spotted a very domestic scene. Of course, true to form I became "snap happy". The camera icons in this and subsequent blogs take you to appropriate photos to illustrate the blog further. My computer literate Hubby tells me that this will save download time on the blog

Mr and Mrs Swan on their nest

The canal runs parallel with the Trent and Mersey for a short while, before taking a sharp right turn onto Poole Aqueduct  and crossing the T and M majestically.

Right turn at Red Bull Services

Just after Moss Lane Bridge at Hall Green, we passed the hotel narrowboats Duke and Duchess , who had just exited Hall Green stop lock. Hall Green Lock (13) once was two locks, both stop locks. Now, I had fooled you into thinking we were on the Macclesfield Canal, but actually we had been on the Hall Green Branch of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

It originally was two locks, end to end

Two locks allowed for either of the two canals to be higher, depending on water supply. The one on the Hall Green Branch is now disused, but the signs are still there! The level on the top pound of the T and M has been lowered now, to improve the air draft in Harecastle Tunnel; the remaining lock provides a six inch rise to the shallower Macclesfield Canal.

So, once we were in Hall Green Lock, we were actually, finally, on the Macclesfield canal!

I absolutely love these cosy looking bridges (Hall Green Bridge)

Scholar Green has an unusual swing bridge - rather "Alan Tichmarsh", I thought. More lovely bridges - Kent Green skew bridge (87), and Deakins Bridge 84. 

Ramsdell Hall is beside the canal and sits across the lawns overlooking the canal and the extensive view across the Cheshire Plain towards Jodrell Bank and the Welsh Hills. Mow Cop - a castle-like summerhouse (yes really!) - overlooks the Hall. Both the residence and the Folly were built around the same time.

Georgian Ramsdell Hall and Randle Wilbraham's 1754 Folly

So we made it to Congleton and were greeted by lovely gardens descending to the waterside and a familiar passing narrowboat! As usual when two familiar boats meet, a shouted conversation took place between us and Narrowboat Margaret Rose , our companions up the staircase lock on the Ribble Link. We last saw them on the Lancaster Canal at Glasson.

Trent and Mersey Canal, Church Lawton to Congleton, Macclesfield Canal

4 hours 33 minutes, 7.07 miles, 7 locks