Not a very nice day weather wise, but by the time we set off at about 10 it had stopped raining and we managed to do most of the journey in the dry. There was a strong gusty wind though, with was a bit unpleasant. The first part of canal we did the other day when Mark from Waterways World was with us, but in passing the winding hole and going through Bridge 20 we were on new water.
Over the past couple of weeks we have walked the next section, but going through Bridge 22 meant we were beyond that limit too.
The last time we were on this top part of the Macclesfield by boat was way back in 2013, so not surprisingly we don’t remember much. On the approach to Bollington there are some impressive hills glowering up ahead — and if you look closely to can see the outline of White Nancy on top of the hill in the middle.
The next major landmark is Clarence Mill.
The moorings just beyond were full. They’re up on an aqueduct over a road, which is way below the level of the canal.
The moorings by Bollington Wharf and Adelphi Mill were also busy. We tried to get into one space which was too short, so carried on and eventually moored slightly beyond Kerridge Dry Dock. Another Braidbar boat, Eh Up!, was trying to leave against the wind and when they got away we moored where they’d been.
After lunch, and with the rain still holding off, I went for a quick walk to complete my steps. I went back to Adelphi Mill and down the steps next to the aqueduct there.
A little further down the road I rejoined Middlewood Way. I was a bit surprised at the narrowness and steepness of it, but it soon became clear that the route had been slightly changed from the original. At the next bridge, there was a zigzag path down to the original level.
I carried on past a mile post that said two miles to Macclesfield, and rejoined the canal towpath at the bridge beyond us, which is a snake bridge that takes the towpath to the opposite side.
The wind has been battering us, and there have been some showers. Tomorrow’s forecast is pretty bad though, so we’re likely to stay here and try to have a look at Bollington without getting too wet.
4 miles, 0 locks. (14 miles, 0 locks)