Weston Lock to Huddlesford Junction

Miles 19.5 Locks 7
We are now near Litchfield where the Coventry Canal meets the derelict Wyrely to Essington Canal. No pics tonight but a couple of links to the RSPB site showing a couple of birds we don't normally see on the Macclesfield Canal.
The Reed Bunting http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/reedbunting/index.aspx Just before Huddelsford Junction on the Coventry Canal and the Tufted Duck http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/tuftedduck/index.aspx Just after Weston Lock. Fradley was busy as usual withe the added congestion of two sets of boats breasted up close to one another but on opposite sides of the canal. Still the Ice cream bought at the junction made up for that.

Chatterley to Weston Lock

Miles 19.9 Locks 16
At least the rain held off today bu it was quite windy. The Trent and Mersey canal between Stoke and Weston has been quite busy with one boat passing as I write this update at 3 mins to nine. We had heard of the anti-vandal locks that had been fitted to Etruria and Trentham locks and the first picture is of the one at Etruria. Anyone with a Dalton windlass will have problems at the lock mechanism prevents the windlass from turning a full circle once it has been placed all the way on the Spindle. We had to queue at the Meaford locks for at least one boat using the lock in front. Here we are waiting for the third lock down on the flight.

High Lane to Chatterley

Two days report as there was no connection last night
28/05/2010 Miles 13.7 locks 0
A nice run in the sun from High Lane to Bosley. Didn't start untill after 12 noon as we waited in vain for the pump-out cards to arrive. at least the weather was kind to us. The picture is of the Mill at Bollington with the new bridge at the front.
29/05/2010
Miles 12 locks 13 and one long Tunnel
What a contrast in the weather, the driest we have been today was when we were in the Harecastle Tunnel. So no pictures today. We are moored at the southern end of the tunnel at Chatterley.

One day to go

We have made three trips to the boat today loading up for the summer cruise on which we hoped to set off tomorrow morning. Unfortunately the two BW Pump -out cards I ordered last week failed to arrive in the post today so we will have to wait for tomorrows post before catching the bus to High Lane.
We also heard that with the water levels on the Macc being about 3 inches down the crew of Discovery No1 had to discharge their drinking water before the could get out of the High Lane Arm. This made me check our situation and we were hard aground on the bows so I decided to pull away from the edge and only suceeded after several minuits of hard heaving.

May Day

We spent the May Day Bank Holiday at Whiteley Green on the Macclesfield Canal. We went on the Friday and returned on the Monday. The moorings belong to the NCCC and two large gazebos were set up to have a space for people to gather and chat. there was heating provided and lighting was by two Tilley Lamps. Quite a few club members turned up, the BBQ was light on Saturday and Sunday for people to cook their own food. On Sunday members with a musical bent gave a show.

Boats moored @ Whiteley Green Br 24 Macclesfield Canal.