Macclesfield

It was a generally sunny day - although the rain could not keep away and returned just before we moored for the night.

This was also a day without going through a single lock! Apart from the final stop lock, all the locks on the Macclesfield are grouped together at Bosley and it was marginal whether we would have time to reach them today.

We set off and it was a steady cruise - bridge after bridge. Mid morning we called at Lord Vernon's Wharf, home of Braidbar Boats to fill up with fuel. We also replaced the lost windlass, with Christine telling Mike, "Don't lose this one" and Andrew responding that, "They are a consumable item!" We also replaced the gas bottle which ran out during the cooking of dinner a few nights ago.

On again - passing through Bollington we saw the well-photographed former mill building, now converted for various uses - including a community radio station.

Yet another pretty bridge approach:

By one o'clock we pulled into Macclesfield and moored by bridge 36 and had lunch.

When we went shopping we recognised the road from two years ago when we changed over with Andrew after his Pennine exploration with friends. As we approached the town centre we could hear the sound of bells ringing at the parish church - and outside a large and posh wedding party were posing for photographs.

Satnav assured us of a butcher's shop but it was a little elusive, eventually tracked down in the indoor market! Mike was pleased to find a Julian Graves, having set off on this trip without stocking up on after dinner treats.

Sun was still shining as we continued - a couple of swing bridges lay ahead, the second is mechanised but the first was reluctant to release itself.

By the time we were within sight of Bosley top lock rain returned, light at first but gradually set in. We wanted to make it to the top lock in order to use the sani station but a line line of permanently moored boats left us worried that there we not be any space left. In the event we managed to find just sufficient space after the last boat and before the lock landing.

15.5 Miles - 0 Locks