Charlotte No. 1 and Charlotte No. 2

We’ve just had a guest aboard for Monday and Tuesday.

Susan’s friend Charlotte (No. 1) travelled by train to Marple where she came aboard Waterway Routes for her first cruise.

Charlotte had visited the boat at it’s home moorings in Birmingham but that’s not quite the same as a real cruise.

Susan showed Charlotte around the boat while I was still at the Post Office dispatching more Leeds and Liverpool DVDs for one of our customers.  Then it was time to set off.

Turning almost immediately left from where we were moored on the Peak Forest Canal we headed south down the Macclesfield Canal.  A chance to enjoy the glorious scenery and for Charlotte to try her hand at steering.

Not too difficult once you remember which way to move the tiller and learn to wait for the boat to respond slowly to the movements of the tiller.  The big zigzags along the canal soon became small zigzags as Charlotte settled into the role.

Soon I was able to perch on the roof for this photograph while Charlotte watches carefully for oncoming boats.

Working the locks at Bosley was no problem.  A little timid at the first, like all newcomers to canals, then quickly getting into the swing of things.

Well, 12 locks is a sensible number to get into practice.  With double gates at both ends of the narrow locks the extra pair of hands was very useful.

En-route we passed Charlotte No. 2, so Charlotte is not quite unique.

Charlotte No. 1 headed back home from Kidsgrove station on Tuesday afternoon - I think she enjoyed the trip and hope we’ll see her again soon.

Posted on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 19:43
Comments (1) Category(s): Macclesfield