Marple

It was a very wet morning as we set off.

We still had ten locks to go on the Huddersfield. After dropping down four we arrived in Stalybridge where we were able to moor right beside Tesco - its car park is partly on the other side of the canal. We did a little bit of shopping including buying some croissants - which provided a good accompaniment to the next mug of coffee.

Although the town centre does not perhaps live up to the glorious description given for it in Nicholsons, the restoration of the canal to boat traffic has certainly made a considerable difference. We understand that at one time when the canal was closed, this section was barely visible underneath factories and other industrial developments.

After completing the remainder of the locks down to Ashton Junction we had finished the Huddersfield and now on the Ashton Canal for the short distance that it takes to arrive at Dukinfield where we turned left onto the Peak Forest canal.

Bridge 1 is a lift bridge and, as it was still raining very hard, we opted to pull in to the bank for a lunch break and another of Christine's warming soups.

It was now a level pound for several miles and so only one person at a time needed to suffer the rain!

Along the way we passed a horse-drawn narrowboat - complete with horse and crew in costume. The horse boating trust keep this particular tradition alive and also some of the specific skills which are needed when a boat has no engine. The set off shortly after we passed them and they followed us for the rest of the afternoon.

Shortly before the Marple flight comes the Marple Aqueduct which carries the canal high over the River Goyt. The valley is so well populated with trees that it is difficult to see the stone arches themselves - although the parallel railway bridge is easier to see.

Just before four o'clock we were at the bottom of the Marple 16 and soon the sun came out and the rest of the afternoon was pleasantly warm and sunny. The first few locks were slow as a number of top paddles were not working. However the top part of the flight was much better and we made steady progress to the top lock.

One lock which has a bridge just below it, has a separate tunnel for the horse. The access for the boatman is even smaller!

Whilst Mike went on to the service station, just around the corner onto the Macclesfield, the others went to take photos of the horse boat and to find out a little more about what they do. Maria was built in 1854 at Marple and named after the builder's daughter. It is said to be the oldest narrowboat still in operation on the system. The horse is 17 and has been doing this job for 4 years.

The first bridge on the Macclesfield is a classic design of turnover bridge, several of which can still be found on this canal. They enabled horses to pass from one side of the canal to the other without having to untie the tow rope.

11.8 Miles - 25 Locks