We left Whaley Bridge and headed back towards Marple Junction yesterday evening, mooring close to the swing bridge.  This, we thought, put us in prime position for an early start on the Marple locks.  Unfortunately there were two boats in front of us.  The first seemingly very slow.  In spite of this we cleared the last lock in 2 hours forty minutes.  The locks were b…..ds.  Heavy paddles and heavy gates.  They were so tough that the Oxleys retired to their beds for the afternoon.

Romy steered most of the way.

It was a day with certain difficulties.

We came across a few submerged and semi submerged objects including a couple of boats.

A fallen tree across half the canal soon after Woodley Tunnel forced us over towards the right bank where we grounded still well away from the side.  We got by after a struggle and stopped to put Oliver’s saw to good use clearing the tree.

We then had a pillow case wrapped round the prop.

We finally stopped just short of the swing bridge before Dukinfield Junction.

Dinner was smoked haddock beautifully prepared by Judith.