Takin’ Our Time

Moored at Dukinfield Junction, just onto the Peak Forest Canal last week I was talking to two fellow boaters.

They were asking about the journey through Manchester and wondering if it really was safe, and how long it took.

I think I worried them a little when I explained it had taken three of us some four hours to climb the Rochdale nine locks - and that was when we were fresh in the morning.

They would be facing the Rochdale nine locks later in the afternoon, after tiring themselves out on the Ashton Canal.

There were just two of them because one of the family had appendicitis and another was keeping them company back at home.

They set off very early the following morning, before we were up to wish them good luck.

This morning we passed the boat safely on their home mooring near Barbridge Junction so I assume they arrived safely.

So, K or M Jones from Takin’ Our Time, leaves us a comment to say how you got on through Manchester.

Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 18:39
Comments (0) Category(s): Middlewich Branch , Peak Forest

Middlewich Arm

We’ve completed the filming for the Cheshire Ring DVD and that’s all safely saved away ready for editing when we get back after this trip.

Now we’re continuing our trip around the Four Counties Ring for that DVD.

Heading north up the Trent and Mersey this morning we turned left in Middlewich onto the Wardle canal and then, almost before we knew it we were on the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal.

The Wardle Canal is around 150 feet long and sits between the Trent and Mersey and Middlewich Arms.

It’s probably the shortest ever canal and, depending on which story you believe, it was either built by the owners of the Trent and Mersey Canal to retain control of the junction, or was built to circumvent an Act of parliament which stopped the Shropshire Union and Trent and Mersey canals connecting (directly).

Now we’re moored near Church Minshull with these splendid views from the boat.

Tomorrow we will be heading northwards on the Shropshire Union towards Chester and Ellesmere Port before completing the Four Counties Ring.

Posted on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 19:55
Comments (0) Category(s): Middlewich Branch , Shropshire Union , Trent & Mersey