Lottie's tin-foil snack



Harecastle Tunnel with Brindley's old tunnel on the left





Lottie on the bow

Horseshoe shaped bridge

We cast off at 9.00 and reached the Harecastle tunnel at 9.30. The morning was cold and overcast with no signs of it improving. We had an hour’s wait at the tunnel as boats cannot pass in it and a boat ahead of us was reaching the far end. With three boats to come down towards us the Captain headed for the water point and filled up. Beyond the water point was the first Harecastle tunnel, which was built by Brindley. It is now disused because it has subsided. The roof certainly seemed low, even for boats being legged through. Fortunately the second tunnel was built because of the constant barge traffic and has been restored.



flying heron

While I was looking at Brindley’s tunnel Lottie raided a bin and shot off with the remains of a barbeque wrapped in tin foil. I couldn’t get near her as she ran off and tore into the foil. Obviously the contents were delicious as I trailed after her picking up scraps of foil. Unfortunately she ate some of the foil. I was worried she would be sick or get a blockage but the Captain felt confident the foil would pass through. Time will tell. The hound eventually let me catch her and stood smugly licking her lips. In spite of that we still had time for coffee before the first of the boats emerged.

Snake bridge

After a safety check and briefing we were allowed to proceed and the operator shut the tunnel door behind us and switched the fans on. This was the first time we have gone through the tunnel alone. It was easier than following other boats as we could see the arch of light at the far end. The roof drops down at random intervals but the lower levels are marked with white and yellow paint. It is awful to think someone was knocked overboard and drowned in the shallow water last year. It only took us 35 minutes to reach the far end and emerge into sunlight.



curving path up onto the snake bridge

Within minutes we turned onto the Macclesfield canal and cruised over the Trent and Mersey which had already started to descend towards Runcorn. The views across the fields to the Peak district were stunning. The imitation ruin of Mow cop castle dominated the skyline perched on a 1100 ft ridge above sea level. The views across to the north west and Manchester were also lovely but less spectacular. we passed several herons fishing - each one flew away as we drew level and circled round behind us.

Congleton Aqueduct

The afternoon was warmer with some sunshine but the wind was still icy. There were hardly any boats moving and the popular visitor moorings in Congleton were empty. Everywhere spring flowers were in bloom and trees were bursting into life transforming bare branches with light green leaves.
 

The bridges varied from low stone arched to tall horseshoe shaped bridges which were narrower at the base than the sides. The Macclesfield boasts of several snake bridges where the towpath curves up and over the bridge. They were designed so that a horse towing a boat didn't have to stop and undo the towing rope and then reconnect it when the towpath changed sides. 

time for a walk

Lottie enjoyed the afternoon
 now she was out in the countryside. Twice she stepped off the boat at a bridge hole to explore that part of the towpath and sniff around. Her attitude seemed to be ‘I’m going for a walk you can join me if you like.’

One of the strangest rural art pieces was the painted cow lying next to the canal. 

railway viaduct

We arrived at the often full moorings below Bosley locks to find only two other boats there, one of which had passed us at lunch time, so there was plenty of space. We enjoyed a peaceful evening feeling far from civilisation even though Manchester sprawled nearby.

What a cow!