Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals
Having seemingly not done anything bar work for ages, Myself and Dad hatched a Thursday night plan to do this trip we'd had in-mind for a while.
Starting at Buxworth basin on the Peakforest canal near Whaley bridge, we were to do a one-way trip to HighLane over the hills near Stockport.
I dropped the boats and Dad off at the start, drove the van 15mins to the end point, ran 1.3 miles along the tow path to the bus stop, road 17mins on the bus, and then ran another half mile to the canal basin.
Dad was there when I got back, which was good really, as he had the boats!
as you can see, I have the rather tug-boat-like Microbat river running boat, not ideal.
Good training for the muscles.
This basin at Buxworth has been restored and re-opened recently, and was in great condition.
The Peak Forest Canal Company had an Act of Parliament passed enabling them to construct a canal from the Ashton Canal's short branch crossing the Dukinfield aqueduct, to Chapel Milton, north of Chapel-en-le-Frith. A tramway would bring limestone to here from quarries between Peak Forest and Dove Holes![]()
Setting off, I realised that this wasn't going to be an easy paddle. The wind was in our faces as we got under way, although we didn't really notice it again after that.
There were Joggers, cyclists, narrow boats and horses all using the canal and tow paths. Of course there was also us, I do feel a little, that we are vuneable sat there going fairly slowly, what did occur was that the horses, being live animals with a mind of their own, could easily be spooked by us, I didnt fancy the results of them jumping in on us!
Edale outdoor eduacation had got a few young people out throwing balls around at the Whaley bridge junction
These two guys were home made with plastic pots from seedlings.
This has got to be the biggest Cow Parsely around?
Sheltering from the torrential rain, it didn't take long to start dripping through the tree canopy.
What I didn't think about was when using the white water paddle rather than the touring paddle, it had no drip rings, so I would spend all day with wet hands, also it dripped on the deck constantly eventually leaking through and starting to fill the boat up.
A heron taking off, sadly he/she flew directly away from me, so the photo is not great.
Another canal-unique experience - passing under the swing bridges.
I felt the same here as I did with the horses! Didn't fancy having a half ton of beef on my deck!
At the Junction with the Macclesfield canal that signified us turning South, this Lock was DEEP, felt wierd sitting at the back of what was essentially just an old bit of timber.
Lunch stop - getting out on the canals always awkward, we managed to stay dry though.
Goyt Mill - I can't find a history of it, but it does house many businesses, Scalextric 8 track racing venue, kids play centre, a saddlery to name but a few.
Just after sheltering from the rain again, this time within site of the finish.
Having a coffee at the Trading Post - well deserved. 21 Km and very tired arms
A great day out - have a look here for an anylisation:
4 comments:
Looked like a really nice day. I quite fancy a lazy day on the canal just bumbling along through the country. Your deck bag is as big as your deck :)
You wont know yourself when you get your shiny new long sea kayak after paddling your short boat.
Any idea when you are getting the new boat?
Richard, Now there's a question - WITH an answer!
Should be picking it up THIS Saturday! I'll let you know when I have it. We are down on 30th July for two weeks.
Stuart: No bumbling in that Microbat, it was horrid! Everytime I stopped paddling to take a pick or look behind it span around and pointed the other way! I lost count of the number of times my Dad nearly ran into the back of me, cos' I stopped and he just glided on!
Nice day out though.
Wahay!!! I bet your like a kid at Christmas.
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