This evening we found a lovely remote spot, just south of Macclesfield, to moor up for the night.

The rain put us off starting too early but we reached Bosley Locks in time for lunch.  We then waited for a dry spell before tackling the 12 locks and then sped up them in just under two hours.  Magic beans were awarded all round.

On the way we passed some splendid scenery.

What’s this?

This was used to attach a rope that ran through a pulley attached to a boats mast giving a 2:1 mechanical advantage and helping the horse pull the boat out of  the lock.

Top secret footage has recently revealed the cause of the drone crash – a rogue stormtrooper has gone over to the rebel side and hunted it down before Darth Vader’s forces could get to it.

Our 7 o’clock  start went well for all of ten minutes and then the rain started.  It was on and off until after lunch but we’re tough and so:

A Three Canal Day – Caldon, Trent and Mersey and Macclesfield.  Lovely turns by Pat even if he did say so himself.  He has now joined The Three Angels and Peter.  Quiz answers still awaited.  Also a  passage through the Harecastle Tunnel all by ourselves with the tunnel buster light full on.  PP execution.

Judith showed off her dumplings for lunch and very nice they were too.  A hot meal at midday was very welcome on this rather chilly passage.

This type of bridge was built to allow a horse towing a boat to cross the canal when the towpath changes sides, without unhitching  the horse. Different systems were used on different canals but on the Macclesfield Canal this was achieved by building spiral ramps.

The weather forecast was not looking brilliant so we decided to press on to Milton and do some late evening shopping where the local shops are near the canal.

It was becoming rather wintry.

We also made the bold decision to set off early tomorrow morning to try to catch the dryer part of another expectedly damp day.

We’ve had drone day so we thought we would add drudge day.  In reality the work was rather satisfying and the walk very pleasant.

We adjusted the fenders fore and aft, refilled the greaser and sent some pictures of the water to system to Pat’s son Trevor.

We walked to the Fox and Goose for lunch but…it was closed.  How can a pub be closed for Friday lunch time?  A short cut back to Oliver meant beating our way through long grass, avoiding stinging nettles but finding some wild orchids.

We arrived back on board just before the rain.  It was heavy with thunder and lightening.

So what can one do?

We set off a little later, after the rain, stopping for Judith and Romy to take turns turning Oliver in the winding hole both very successfully.

We arrived at Consall Forge just in time to order dinner before last orders at 20:30. £8.95 for fish and chips and a pint.

A lovely day with warm sunshine dawn to dusk.  We were lucky to visit the Flint Mill on a day when volunteers were working on the water wheel and set it running especially for us.

Romy was very keen to see the Burnes-Jones windows in the local church and so we had a pleasant walk around Cheddleton.

A pretty section of the Caldon with lots of wild flowers and several heron sightings.

If you wish to go through the Froghall Tunnel you must not touch the curtain at the last lock before it.  The curtain is strategically placed so you can’t see the canal ahead!

Peter did an excellent job turning Oliver in the winding hole and reversing onto our mooring.  Does this help you with the quiz?

We had a nice chat with Josiah yesterday but were surprised when he dropped in today and insisted on taking the helm.

He left after we had finished shopping at Milton.

The Caldon starts off looking OK, becomes dilapidated industrial and then patchy before becoming very attractive countryside.

Parts of the canal are very twisty with narrow bridges and sharp bends.  We had to stop for a sudden sharp burst of rain between the locks to avoid getting very wet but were soon able to continue and the sun came out again for the evening.

At last the world can see Oliver from the air.

Caldon short

You may notice a small glitch at the end of this short movie.

The drone now has a plaster cast on one leg (gaffer tape).

It suddenly developed a mind of its own – a few beeps and it headed of into the unknown.  A test flight is now planned in an open area before the next session over the canal.

There are two there clips before the “oh dear” but the blog can only handle very short movies.  The epic will have to be put on hold for a while.

Had a bit of a lie-in before visiting World of Wedgwood where we had a very interesting self guided tour.  The people working in the pottery were very friendly and informative and it was great to be able to see them on BBC iPlayer the same evening. By Royal Appointment BBC 4.  We recognised several of the participants.

We then headed through Etruria Junction and onto the Caldon Canal.  Have a look at the turn managed with great aplomb to a round of applause from the onlookers.  Followed by another  exquisite manoeuvre under the bridge.

A relatively short journey today bringing us to bridge 104 in preparation for a visit to Wedgwood tomorrow.

We used the excellent facilities at Aston Marina for fuel, pump out and water.  Unfortunately Peter didn’t feel too well.  He had a couple of nasty turns – one into the marina and one out of the marina.  Not executed to his usual demanding standards but without any real distress to Oliver or his crew.

Lock work is often considered strenuous but clearly that is not always the case.

We popped in to Stone chandlery and bought some “bits” to see if we can solve the “rumbling pump”.  This also provided an opportunity for a photo of Romy and the Winnie Ther Pooh tank.

Surprisingly en route we spotted Toby. Isn’t he handsome?

So today we have had lots of: