Hitting the Peak

Thursday 25th July

As I mentioned yesterday, we wanted to call in at Dukinfield Junction to get a pumpout, so we only had a short run, about 45 minutes, after leaving our moorings, until we got the the junction, where the Ashton, the Peak Forest and the Huddersfield Narrow Canals all meet.

The Museum at Portland Basin

The start of the Peak Forest Canal at Portland Basin

The pumpout was at Portland Basin marina - Portland Basin is the place where the three canals meet. This was like no marina we have ever seen - it was down a narrow arm between brick walls - essentially just a short dead end of canal with some boats moored on it. We got a pumpout but they told us they didn't do water and we'd have to back to the museum in the Portland Basin. This we did, and we were directed to moor alongside two old boats. Having done that, the owner of the boats appeared and said he had been told not to allow people to do that, for insurance reasons. (As it happens I had slipped on some rotting wood on the gunwale of one of those boats and scraped my shin, so I had some sympathy).

He was in fact very helpful, and apologetic, and he helped us moor with our bow in alongside one of his boats, so I could get the hosepipe to our water inlet. With no further excitement we completed the watering and set off along the Peak Forest canal.

Starting down the Peak Forest

The difference was immediate. The canal travels along the valley of the Tame, which flows far below, and it is wooded in many places. There were no locks today, but a little bit of exercise for me as I had to work a lifting bridge - lifted manually with a windlass handle. It was a fiercely hot day and we were concerned for the dogs; Loulie kept putting wet towels on them and encouraging them to drink. We passed Hyde, and then in Romiley we stopped and I walked to a nearby Aldi to get ice lollies, drinks and some chicken for Minnie. The best bit was that the supermarket was air conditioned, very cold and lovely.

After that we didn't go on very far. We had exchanged the Tame for the Goyt, but again it was flowing far below us on the right hand side. After going though a tunnel (300 yards, very short by our usual standards) we found a mooring in the middle of nowhere, much more our style. We are only a few miles from Marple, but there is a flight of 16 locks to tackle before we get there. For today we moored quite early, about 16:15, and Loulie used her new washing machine for the first time. It is threatening to rain, and indeed we need the clouds to open to clear the air, but so far it is just occasional showers. If it doesn't break it will be a very muggy night.

Mooring near Hyde Bank Tunnel - including a view through the tunnel

TODAY: 6.15 HOURS. 8.2 MILES. 0 LOCKS. 1 BRIDGE.

VOYAGE: 26.25 HOURS. 37.2 MILES. 27 LOCKS. 2 BRIDGEs