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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 22, 2017 15:55:30 GMT
The people running New Mills Marina are OK, and there's a washing machine and dryer there. From New Mills you can have a day out by jumping on a train at the New Mills central railway station (in a gorge) and going to Sheffield. The train will take you past Lose Hill which is on the ridge between Edale and Castleton. There's also an Elsan point at Furness Vale, I think it belongs to the marina so you'll have to ask nicely. See if you can spot that woman who kicks her dog's poo into the canal oppopsite Furness Vale Marina - take photos of her doing it and post them here!
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Post by thebfg on Mar 22, 2017 21:40:02 GMT
The people running New Mills Marina are OK, and there's a washing machine and dryer there. From New Mills you can have a day out by jumping on a train at the New Mills central railway station (in a gorge) and going to Sheffield. The train will take you past Lose Hill which is on the ridge between Edale and Castleton. There's also an Elsan point at Furness Vale, I think it belongs to the marina so you'll have to ask nicely. See if you can spot that woman who kicks her dog's poo into the canal oppopsite Furness Vale Marina - take photos of her doing it and post them here! I will go past camera at the ready.
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Post by thebfg on Mar 27, 2017 10:47:55 GMT
Well I've had an answer about the Bridgewater seems they are not to sure but not many of their boats go that way. Strangely, they favour the four counties or the llangollon.
I have a few questions, at the moment we intend to do a very leisurly Cheshire ring, clockwise taking in stalybridge, bugsworth and a trip south on the T&M through the tunnel but have a few worries about the bridgewater and have heard some horror stories of their enforcement of the no return rule. Would this actually be an issue.
Answer. From what we understand, it means if the same boat passes through the Bridgewater more than once in each calendar month we will be charged a toll for usage. Luckily the Four Counties and the Llangollen route are the most used routes. We always recommend that you do the ring in a anticlockwise direction, as this gets the bulk of the locks out of the way in the first few days. Giving you that leisurely run in.
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Post by thebfg on Mar 27, 2017 14:54:51 GMT
My understanding is they they get to go through once a month if the boat is spotted again that month they then send the hire company an invoice, a toll. But they weren't to sure. However I'm told they will resolve any issues on our behalf.
They should have no need to actually speak to us which is a relief as the MIL a Can get a little boisterous.
The canal is closed at vicars bridge. Preston brook to Castlefield is open.
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 27, 2017 16:07:17 GMT
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 27, 2017 16:12:14 GMT
"Still, some residents claim that along with the βundesirablesβ, the unnamed owner of the black canal boat, currently moored in the basin half way up the Bridgewater Canal, is hardly a model member of the basin community himself, prone to over-staying, littering, rowdy drunken behaviour and even fighting." Canal Rage: confidentials.com/manchester/castlefield-boat-wars
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Post by thebfg on Apr 9, 2017 18:42:25 GMT
Well we've started. Stopped at Anderton boat lift last night. We went along and looked at the visitor centre and watched a few boats go up and down, amazing.
Stoped at Walton hall today and let the kids run around and saw the animals.
The tunnels were great, I can't believe how bendy saltersford tunnel was.
Having an issue with the inverter. Was not enough battery power yesterday to work it. Will see what it's like later. The 12v all worked fine.
Currently sat in the golden fleece in Lymm waiting for a roast at the moment, we were planning on a bbq but the sun disappeared. So we did the boat thing and went to the pub.
I did enjoy seeing the old pair, can't remember the boat name but the butty Ilford. And I waved at halsal.
Castleford tomorrow then a day off. The kids can't wait to do the Rochdale 9 and Aston as they've only done two locks, will be a mammoth day all the way to stalybridge for a pint at the station.
Talking of stalybridge I've promised my nipper a steak that night as he will belp do all the locks, any recommendations would ve greatly received on value vs good food with emphasis on value.
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Post by thebfg on Apr 9, 2017 19:18:38 GMT
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 9, 2017 19:23:19 GMT
So you're going up the HNC?
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Post by thebfg on Apr 9, 2017 19:24:57 GMT
So you're going up the HNC? Only to stalybridge, we will turn there
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 10, 2017 7:22:46 GMT
Stalybridge looking east Stalybridge looking west
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Post by thebfg on Apr 10, 2017 19:42:57 GMT
In Castleford after stopping at dunholm Massey hall.
Helped another boater who could not get water so we lent them our hose.
Took the family for a walk up the Rochdale 9. Water pouring over the tops, rubbish floating around everywhere.
Not quite worked out how the gates work but I'm sure we will.
They were a bit shocked especially when I said we will be off at seven to get as far along the Aston before lunch. But that's Wednesday, tomorrow is for exploring.
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Post by thebfg on Apr 12, 2017 19:23:46 GMT
What a day left castlefield at 7.20 just arrived at stalybridge. Did the nine in 2 hours, going along the Ashton nicely. A broken paddle stuck open had drained a pound. Crt told us to wait until the water is coming over the weir and there's a boat above coming down who will bring water.
Well the poor bloke coming down sat in the bottom of the lock and broke his rudder and had to call rcr.
We waited an hour for the pound to fill and another boater flushed some water down from locks 13 / 14but when we got back someone had opened all the paddles on the lock above 11 which drained that pound as well.
When we went up although we did not use it we left a paddle open for a few minutes which drained it more. After flushing more water through we got up. And I hope the three boats behind got up too.
But this place ain't great either which don't help. Should of just turned onto the peak forest and moored down there .
I held my hand up on the paddle I really should of checked.
But we're here now just waiting for dinner.
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Post by thebfg on Apr 20, 2017 18:41:25 GMT
Lovellt time on the peak forest and Macclesfield Bugsworth was lovely. We stayed rural after that. Really enjoyed going through harecastle. The keeper was right 3 to 4 mph and it goes straight through. The only times I wobbled was when taking photos.
Saw a couple of cracking wooden boats will dig out the photos.
Overnighted at, is it westpoint lake after a big lunch at Toby. The kids loved having a park and walking around the lakes and wildlife ponds.
Moored above Broughton arms on the t&m ready for our last run up to middlewich tomorrow, just the cows to keep us company.
Had some locally chats and hints and tips from other boaters. And a great chat in the pub earlier with a couple of a narrow boat Nancy. Ex navy he was. Enjoyed our pint so much we stayed for dinner.
Hated steering on the Mac. When the boat is on shallow water it is a right dog to steer especially passing moving boats. After a while I ended up staying over a bit and aiming to just miss because it was the only way to keep in a straight line. It's lovely back on the t&m and cruises exactly where you want it. Turning on a sixpence. Still won't go bloody backwards in a straight line
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Post by thebfg on May 1, 2017 15:12:05 GMT
Going through our photos this week so will post up a few of the better ones.
Loved the ring. Heartbreak hill was easy peasy.
I'm glad we went clockwise much to the hire companies disgust. We spoke to a few other hirers going the other way who had been called by their companies turning them around as a lock on the Aston was closed by the police. But we had been through it already.
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