The Macclesfield Canal turns the sun on

Tuesday, 18 May 2010 19:48

Home Sweet Home

Arriving back at Epiphany yesterday evening - after a detour to The Railway Inn by the station - I saw the view that John had been fortunate enough to moor by! This morning it looked wonderful in the sun.

Cross Country train crossing Biddulph Viaduct

It was so good to be on the move again, as both of us had been static for so long, although, as you know, John has been doing a bit of walking! My walks were limited to the lovely hospital grounds and a quick 10 minute walk into Harefield Village.

This walker was taking the chance to have a snooze

We woke him up as we went over Biddulph Line Aqueduct (an old rail line passes underneath) and past Vaudrey's Wharf which is now a disused arm. It is at risk of being filled in, but at the moment it is possible to moor there as you can see if you look here - clickety click

Vaudrey's Wharf

There is new piling going in between Porters Farm Bridge (72) and the following footbridge (71). There are plenty of warning notices (anyone would think boats travel at 60mph) and the towpath is closed (as I found out on Sunday - Ed.)

An absence of work men today though!

The Macclesfield Canal skirts Buglawton and then takes a sharp right hander, keeping the hill known as "The Cloud" in the distance. The Cloud and its remains of earthworks is owned by the National Trust and is 343 metres high. Anyone fancying a 2 mile walk from the canal can do so from bridges 57, 61, 68, 71 or 72! Seeing this hill accompanying us, it is now believable that we are on the edge of the Peak District!

The Cloud from near Congleton Bridge (61) and a close up showing the rocks and crags

At Stringers Bridge (60) we met Narrowboat Just Siviting (fellow members of the BCF) on their home canal, on their way to the Crick Boat Show. We shall be there too, but not on Epiphany! Come and find us on the NABO stand on Sunday or Monday! We would love to see you.

Stringers Bridge

Bosley Locks were not too far away by now and after the quaintly named Old Driving Lane Bridge (57) (lots of bluebells here!), we crossed the Dane Aqueduct , passed a line of moored narrowboats and lined up for the hard work ahead of us!

Bosley Bottom Lock (12) - a clue to the number we had to climb!

Macclesfield Canal, Congleton to Bosley Bottom Lock

1 hour 25 minutes, 3.71 miles, 0 locks