Marple

Before setting off this morning, Mike went in search of a newspaper. he tried first the small shops but failed to spot a newsagent so ended up at Tesco, alongside the canal where we initially moored last night. He also bought some rolls as he used part of today's bread for stuffing with the roast pork last night!

Walking back down past the last two locks we did last night, it was interesting to note how many more things there are to spot which were missed from canal level. For example, a renovated building between two bridges on the very narrow section, was once The Emporium. Just use the imagination to wonder what that was.

It was quite cool when we awoke with a grey sky but by the time we cast off at 9:30 the sky was clearing and for a while we had sunshine. However, most of the day was lightly overcast, covering the sun but allowing the temperature to rise to a quite comfortable level. certainly with quite a few locks on our schedule today we did not want for hotter!

The first section was the completion of the last part of the Huddersfield Canal with just three left out of the 74 from the start in the city itself! (42 on the east side and 32 on the west) The surroundings were now much more overtly urban and commercial with some industrial use, albeit only light industry with all of the former mills now either demolished, standing empty and gradually decaying or, thank goodness, converted to other uses.



River Tame Aqueduct

The River Tame Aqueduct may be short but, from a construction point of view, is almost as notable as the more famous one on the Llangollen - it is an iron trough with a sheer drop over the edge opposite the towpath. To make such a structure watertight involved quite an innovation in its time.

Oh she's left me behind again

Lock 1 W

The last lock and yet another special: since the original construction the road carried by the bridge below the lock has been widened and when the canal was restored a new solution was required. A special hydraulic mechanism is used to operate the bottom gates with no balance beams and the gate paddles are also operated from the side.

The winding hole and former wharf, now a boat club, just below lock 1W officially brought the canal to an end and we were now on the Ashton.

However, it was little more than the Asda Tunnel (so-called as an Asda supermarket now stands over the canal) before we turned left at Dukinfield - the Ashton route into Manchester continues straight ahead but we were heading for the Peak Forest Canal and the Marple flight. Another aqueduct over the River Tame follows immediately but this is much more substantial, at least from the top side.

Only one lift bridge on this canal but it is quite an effort. However, Mike had the 'help' of two small children - the first of many such groups today.

Rather overgrown so that it is difficult to make out, but the first of the snake-type turnover bridges which are perhaps more well-known on the Macclesfield.

After a good lunch break we continued with yet another tunnel - Christine navigated through four or five today including at least one narrow section that was originally a tunnel. This must be a record! this one, Woodley, has a lined roof and a towpath which leaves only a narrow channel for boats - the next had no towpath and was much wider.

And then came Marple Aqueduct. The red sign warns people not to walk over the unguarded side!

Here she comes!

The height is far from obvious when on a boat crossing over but from the towpath it is some drop to the River Goyt below. An equally splendid rail viaduct is alongside.

So, now all that remained was the Marple Flight - here is the start at Lock 1. Each lock is around 13.5 feet deep, about the maximum for narrow locks. There were numerous visitors around today and, surprisingly, many said that they had never seen a lock operated before. So, with groups from children around 5 or 6 (with parents!) to teenagers and youngsters to adults both at the younger and older ends of the spectrum, we were kept quite busy explaining and involving them.

 

 

The bridge below Lock 8 has a roller for the horse-drawn towrope as this is a turnover bridge.

At Lock 9 is the former Samuel Oldknow's Warehouse now converted to offices. We are unsure of why there is a distinctive narrow section below the lock nor why there is a wide set of steps from the adjoining cottage. It seems that a gate set into the iron railing edging the lock bridge was also to facilitate the use of a tow rope to pull a boat out of the lock without damaging the decorative railing.

One for you and one for me

Possett Bridge is noted for its unusual two tunnels, one for the horse and one for the boatman!

The last few pounds are substantially extended into side pounds - this one disappears behind the nearby well-kept house.

Marple Top Lock

At last we arrive at the top lock and immediately after the junction we were mightily relieved to find an overnight mooring space within metres!

10.0 miles - 19 locks