Macc wanted to go out at 6 this morning, so we were up early for him. Well, Adrian stayed up and got his breakfast ready while I went back to bed for a while, having done the 11pm duty last night. I went to collect a couple of things from Braidbar, including a tin of the black paint for the gunwales, and then we had to decide whether to set off. Macc was refusing to go for a nap, and the more overtired he gets the more grumpy and snappy he is. He was in his crate but complaining — so we decided to set off anyway, and possibly because of the movement of the boat he settled and went to sleep. We plodded up to Marple, seeing on the way a boat which has taken the traditional roses and castles at the stern to a whole new level.
Macc woke up just before the junction, so when we got to the narrows Adrian jumped off with him so he could use the grass there. I waited in the narrows while he did his wee, and then Adrian got him back on board again. We turned right onto the Peak Forest Canal towards Bugsworth. At the lift and swing bridges, Macc was put in his crate. Adrian walked between them while I monitored Macc on the camera; he was fine, amusing himself with a cardboard tube and some of his chews. After the bridges, Adrian got him off again for another loo break, getting back on at a narrows. It was just after the winding hole we used last time, so we were now on new waters for KV. As we went through New Mills, there was a distinct smell of sweets from the Swizzels factory.
There was another swing bridge just before Furness Vale Marina, and then you’re soon at Whaley Bridge Junction, where we turned left towards Bugsworth. At the narrows at the entrance, Adrian jumped off to see what spaces there were. There was more room round in the middle basin, so we went there and I turned around before we moored up.
Bugsworth Basin used to be a centre of industry, with a tramway and lime kilns. Nowadays the noise is from the dual carrigeway that runs alongside. We’ve got quite a nice spot though.
Our marina neighbours, Bullfinch, were also here and Cheryl and Roger came round for a cuppa this afternoon. Macc performed his tricks for them and then went to sleep in his crate, which was a good combination, and we had a good hour’s chat.
It’s been a much longer day of travelling than we expected, but it’s been nice weather and great scenery so what more could you want?
10 miles, 0 locks. (18 miles, 0 locks)