Easter Visitors

Our journey on the Macclesfield Canal started gently, one lock which took us up just one foot before Congleton.  We found a good mooring and looked forward to seeing Shaun, Laura and the kids who came on Easter Monday.  They brought Bett-Lou, Kev's other granddaughter, with them.  We enjoyed a good day together and for Bett-Lou it was the start of a holiday with us. 

The Macclesfield Canal is picturesque and is often raised on embankments and aqueducts so we had good views across the countryside.  A feature of the canal is the "Snake Bridge".  These unusual bridges are sited where the towpath changes to the other side of the canal.  The bridges were designed to enable horses, pulling the original barges, to cross over the canal without being unhitched. 

The Snake bridge enabled the horses to cross over the canal without being unhitched

At Bosley Bett-Lou learnt how to operate a lock and put it to good practice as we climbed up through 12 locks in a mile.  Bett-Lou's help made lighter work of the locks but we were still pleased to find a mooring at the top.  

Thursday brought cold winds which blew us sideways and made steering difficult.  On the Gurnett Aqueduct we spotted some visitor moorings and stopped for the day.  A flight of steps led down from the aqueduct to the Old Kings Head and lunch.  The home-made pies were excellent.  

At Bollington we moored up near Clarence Mill, an impressive stone building with a tall red chimney.  

Clarence Mill from our mooring at Bollington

During the week Bett-Lou had been industrious with pencils and paints and had a folder of pictures to take home with her.  She also proved to have a winning streak at cards and dominoes!

Saturday was bright and warm, perfect for sitting out and chatting with Nic, Gaz and Ryan when they came to pick up Bett-Lou and a lovely end to her holiday. 

Sitting out in the sun

Our journey from Kidsgrove to Bollington