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At around 09:30 we set off to make our way back to Bollington. We had only been on the move for around 15 minutes and it started to rain but not heavy. Arriving at Marple Junction we turned off the Peak Forest and back onto the Trent and Mersey canal, stopping for water and loo emptying at the British Waterways station. It was an enjoyable trip back through High Lane and Higher Poynton with the rain stopping and the sun beginning to shine. Stopping for lunch on route we had crayfish tail sandwiches, lovely they were too. We arrived back in Bollington around 16:30 and moored near the impresive Clarence Mill. The evening was spent walking round the town, tomorrow we would tackle White Nancy.

clarence mill

July1st

After a leisurely start we set off to walk up to White Nancy, it was very pleasant with stunning scenery looking over open countryside and cities and towns. After reaching the top we carried on and walked the ridge to Kerridge Hill, from there we followed the paths back down eventually meeting the canal towpath at bridge 28 and then along the canal and back to Shell Bell.  After lunch we walked into the town to post letters.

We had planned to meet Sue again and since she was working  late we decided to have a meal at The Vale and see her there. An enjoyable evening was had with great food and beer the Vale is to be recommended

Sue visits Shell Bell

Sheila at the top of White Nancy

A lazy start today setting off around 10:30. Our plan was to go to Marple Junction, stopping off at Higher Poynton on the way for water. Because of the lack of  water the canal was low and several boats ended up aground when passing. Nearing Higher Poynton there were several Braidbar boats around . These are built in Higher Poynton and have their own owners club.  Probably the most famous was Sanity which was owned by Bruce and Sheila Napier. They started a blog  (living in sanity) when they went to live on board.  They now have a nice new boat aptley named Sanity Again.  In fact Sanity was one of the boats we saw, picture included especially for Bruce and Sheila.

Sanity moored at Higher Poynton

Leaving Higher Poynton we made our way to Marple Juncton and had a nice walk down the sixteen locks before returning for some tea. Tomorrow we make our way to Whaley Bridge.

garden with its own helicopter

Having gotten the train from Woking in Surrey, we met with Shell Bell at Stoke-on-Trent in the early afternoon. After a swift cup of tea & a tour of the boat for Claire, we were on our way, heading North towards the Harecastle Tunnel. Having never done a lock before, Claire was thrown in at the deep end as we immediately had to navigate our way up through the 5 locks at Stoke. Thankfully Sheila, now an expert at the locks, was able to pass on her knowledge & (somewhat surprisingly…) Claire soon got the hang of it!

The knowledge being passed on

By the end of the day we moored up about half a mile from the south entrance of the Harecastle Tunnel. As guests we were then treated to a lovely homemade cottage pie, a few beers & some fishing, even Claire managed to catch!

Ben in fishing mood

On Sunday we woke early for some more fishing & breakfast, then at half 9, we trundled to the tunnel, where we were greeted by the tunnel keeper who told us what to do in the event of a breakdown inside the tunnel. The tunnel is 2897 yards long & took about 45 minutes to travel through, it was also very cold! After the tunnel we branched off the Trent & Mersey canal to join the Macclesfield canal, which took us back over the Trent & Mersey via an Aquaduct.

entrance to the Harecastle tunnelinto the tunnel we go

By midday we stopped for a healthy lunch of bacon & sausage sandwiches. Claire was finding the canal life tougher than expected & had to ‘rest her eyes’ for a while!

yet another crew member dosn't last the distance

After lunch we carried heading north through Congleton, the 12 locks at Bosley & eventually moored at Gurnett Aquaduct, where we headed to the Sutton Hall pub for some well earned dinner!

Norwyn set the crayfish trap in the evening, using some sweetcorn as bait, & by the morning two adults & one baby had fallen in!

crayfish trapped yes Andy Lawrence it does work

Ben & Claire – Guest Bloggers!

According to our schedule we were aiming for bridge number 83 today.  At the beginning of our journey we passed through the new bridge where the Armitage tunnel used to run before it’s roof was removed in 1971 to combat the subsidence effects of coal being mined nearby.  The notice says you must send a crew member ahead so that they can stop a boat from entering whilst you are going through, since there is only room for one boat to go through.  So Sheila walked ahead as instructed and all went well. Norwyn even tried out the headlamp which will be needed for the Harecastle Tunnel later in the week.

Haywood junction scene of the rescue

the old tunnel at Armitage

 We stopped at Rugeley town and discovered that Morrisons was just over the bridge and so we bought the alcoholic supplies required for the weekend.

It was at Haywood lock where things got a bit scary.  The farmer was trying to separate the cows from their calves and they appeared not to be amused.  Some of them were being guided over the bridge which we had to cross from the lock moorings up to the lock.  Luckily Sheila was safely behind the gate and at the lockside (along with the other ladies) when the cows made such a rumpus and ran over the bridge. Much worse than anything which has happened on Bungay common!!!!

Having passed Shugborough Hall we got through the next lock without incident and were heading for the watering point at Haywood junction  when a man asked us if we could pull a boat off which had got stuck on a mud bank.   Captain Norwyn to the rescue.  We pulled alongside tha boat and managed to hook their back rope onto our stern bollard and pulled her backwards into the clear water.  The people were very grateful but it left us in a very precarious position nearly into the reeds ourselves.  However Norwyn gained control and soon we were on the water point.

Finally we moored at bridge number 83, went for a walk and settled down for the night.  We hope tomorrow will be quieter as we head for Stone.

nice mooring

sunset on the longest day

As per usual it was very windy as we set off.  We had to take the boat across to Aqua to have some fairleads put on.  We were going to get the bus into Burton while this was being done but decided we would stop at Shobnall to go to Sainsburys.

Having filled up with diesel Captain Norwyn attempted to leave the jetty. Well, it was mayhem – a gust of wind blew Shell Bell towards the side jetty and the she was stuck fast.  Captain Norwyn was not happy!!!!  A very kind lady offered to help us and the man who had just fitted the fairleads came to our rescue and told Norwyn how to get out of the muddle.  Something he had learned in his lesson but forgot.

Soon we were under way and no further incidents arose.   Sheila met a lady from Norfolk at Dallow lock and it was nice to hear a familiar accent.

We arrived at our destination (Branston) at 17.30. After tea we walked around the park.  Think it’s about the 5th time we’ve been here. Very nice but hoping to go further afield now.  Bollington, here we come.