The tying up ritual

Let nemo off the boat,

He then supervises Dave tying up

Dave shows Nemo around - providing there are no dogs about

What's that?  Something rustling in the hedge....

MOUSEY!!!

We then have to try and extract the mouse from his jaws, without injuring the mouse - any more than it already is - and liberating it away from Nemo on the other side of the hedge when he's not looking. 

(The mouse is right under Nemo's nose in the pic)

Of course - this is all dependant on Nemo's mood.  He's a cat.  Sometimes he just can't be bothered.

Back down the Macclesfield Canal

Another beautiful day, now we get all the stunning views in reverse. 

The Higgings Clough swing bridge.  There's so many great names for bridges along here, I'm going to do a blog of their own.  A bit geeky perhaps, but I was entertained by them.

Breaking ice on the way to Marple. 

Same boats moored at Marple as when we came past over a week before

Yep, here too

and here

Signage says it all

 

Deer soaking up the sun

 

There were lots Follys dotted around the hillside, which we hadn't noticed on our trip up - probably because it was very misty & overcast

Is it a folly?  Big white blob as far as I can tell

That's more like it.

Dave standing on the Dane Aqueduct...

...looking at this view....

 Aqueduct doesn't look much from above, but go down below and it is quite spectacular looking from this angle.

 

 

A couple of 'shout outs' before leaving the Macclesfield

I'm back tracking again, we're obviously moving too quickly, and I can't keep up with the blog!  I haven't yet put up the pics of Brian & Anne Marie from NB Alton, who we had a lovely night with in the Navigation pub in Bugsworth Basin, over a week ago now.  The following morning, we took delivery of some coal and logs - boy was it cold! 

'Gis a wave!

Alton delivering to the NB Cutter just behind us when we were on the water point.  Funny story:

We were sitting in the pub the night before, when a couple walked in, got a drink & sat down.  All of us said "blimey, he looks just like Roger Fuller" (the boat builder).  Ha - turns out it was his brother!

Thanks guys.

NB Alton a couple of days later, loading up for another run.  Brian here loading bags of coal.

NB Alton's delivery schedule can be found BY CLICKING HERE 

If you fancy following Brian's tweets HERE'S THE LINK

 

Someone else I need to mention before we leave the Macclesfield is the narrowboat

WANDERING DUCK, which is a new venture based at Bugsworth Basin, offering short stays or overnight accommodation aboard their narrowboat.  Have a look at the website.  

 

Last one now - THE MACCLESFIELD CANAL SOCIETY, who produce a very good on line guide, listing everything you need to know about cruising the canal.  They also produce a paper guide, containing a very useful map, and you can pick one of these up from little boxes located at Hall Green, Boseley and Marple. 

Bugsworth Basin

Bugsworth Basin - We've never been here before, and I must say, it's one of  the most fascinating, amazing place I've ever visited.  Dave last came up the Macclesfield 1993 - 20 years ago - and the basin was not accessible then. At that time, he turned at the junction, and backed down the arm a few yards, which was as far as navigation allowed.   According to the Inland Waterways Protection Society (IWPS) web site, "the basin was the largest and busiest inland port on Britain's narrow canal system".   The limestone was brought down from the quaries in the mountains of the peak district on tramways, which are still evident around the basins, and loaded into boats at the various wharves and basins.  Coal was brought in by boat to fuel the many limekilns.  It has taken 30 years of hard work by volunteers to achieve this restoration, and is a continuous project.  The interpretation panels are mostly set in the ground, so you get all the useful information you need, without a load of signs dominating the landscape.  I'll let the pictures do the talking, and no apologies for so many of them .........

 

 

A detailed model of the basins, gives you an idea of how it all used to work

 

An absolutely stunning place, which we will definitely revisit.  A big thank you to all the people involved who have made it such a special place. 

Oh, and a "technical" message from Dave, the TV aerial needs to be vertical.