Greenfield

Only four locks to go on this trip before we moor up in the small marina where we have arranged to leave the boat for the next ten days. Alice took the opportunity to learn about bringing the boat into the lock when going downhill - rather different from the opposite direction. Jess went ashore with Mike, supposedly to help with the gates but in fact she spent most of the morning chatting to ducks and shooing away the bullies (aka Canada geese!)

Saddleworth Viaduct over first lock today

Lock 21W has a ratchet mechanism to operate one of the bottom gates whose balance beam was truncated for a road widening.

Much of the canal still has a rural feel.

Lock 20W has a strange pepper pot close to the top paddles - an ornamental blowhole which should not be looked at too closely when the lock is first being filled!

Although these locks were not in anything like the same condition as those on the previous days, we made good progress down to the entrance to the marina. This is guarded by a lift bridge which continues the towpath across the gap. It is a multi, multi, multi wind hydraulic mechanism which left Mike definitely in need of a coffee once we had moored! Lowering the bridge was helped by Jess adding her weight to the end.

Moorland view from marina

After lunch, leaving Christine to cleaning and packing, Mike took the two girls the short trip into Uppermill to visit the Saddleworth Museum. (There was a notice say no photography so unfortunately we can only describe the gallery in words) Although quite small it has many different displays and both girls completed one of the quiz sheets which are provided for children. Perhaps the most interesting part was the re-creation of a one room weaver's cottage where all the family would be involved in the sheep-to-cloth process. There sleeping space was a small loft over the main living area where the carding and spinning is done. The other half of the room contains a hand loom where the spun yarn is woven into cloth.

Some of the displays highlighted life in the 1960's when the museum was first established. The girls could not quite believe that that was when Granny and Grandad were teenagers! Did we really dress like that and only have a Dansette for music?

After completing the tour of the museum we walked along the high street sussing out places for tea but then spotted a busy playground where the girls enjoyed themselves for some time. Perhaps not the most demanding of play areas but at least everything was well maintained.

Finally, just after four o'clock, we adjourned to the Vintage Cupcake Tearoom where two Rocky Road cupcakes were ordered. Alice also selected their special Victorian lemonade as something different to try. Alas it was not really to her taste - certainly very sharp and lemony - very different from the colourless fizzy lemonade usually on offer. (Mike enjoyed the second half of the bottle!)

Finally time to return to the boat just in time as some dark black clouds appeared over the horizon and heavy rain quickly followed. A DVD filled in the gap before it was dinner time!

11 miles - 5 locks