Monday 18th July

Cooler and more wind today. Pottered slowly down to the first lock, Aston lock, in the hope that another boat would come along. No such luck, and I had to do all three locks with limited help from oncoming boats.

Jacob Mk 2 was still at Shardlow Heritage Centre. And obviously had somebody on board but no one peered out to look.

Filled with 70l of fuel at Sawley marina and went to ask about a short term mooring. For up to two weeks you can stay on the visitors moorings, at a price, which I paid.

On the way to Long Eaton station I stopped for lunch at the Harrington Arms.

Travelled to Shireoaks via Nottingham and Worksop. Then drove back to Sawley to collect all the dirty washing and have tea before driving home.

Sunday 17th July

As there is only one train on a Sunday that stops at Willington, which is the next station near the canal, Ian left at 9am to catch the first train of the day from Burton.

I stayed until the chandlery opened at 10am when I bought a proper seal for the water filler cap and a bottle screw for the front fender to hold it tight enough to stop it moving sideways. I fitted both of these immediately.

Stopped for lunch at Willington. Had a bit of an incident while mooring, something caught round the propeller and I crashed into the stern of the boat in front. No damage was done and the offending item turned out to be a fishermans keep net. Still it's only the second time in six weeks that I've had to go down the weed hatch.

There was a choice of three pubs so I chose the one which has Cask Marque plaque outside. I had an nice pint of mild and a substantial Pork Hock with mash and peas.

Carried on till just past Weston and moored for the night in the shade opposite Weston Grange, as it was still very hot.

Saturday 16th July

Another 8am start and the coldest day for a while. We even had the doors shut all night!

Stopped at Alrewas for lunch and tried the Geoarge and Dragon first, where they had a special, limited, menu for the village fair. We then moved on for another pint in the Crown while the parade was going past..

Stopped for the night on the Marstons visitor moorings in Burton on Trent. We had booked a table in the Old Cottage Tavern, where we both had Steak and Stout pie accompanied by their lovely stout.

Then on to the Burton Bridge Inn, where the bar had moved from its original position. It's now in between the two rooms.

Finally we went to the Coopers Tavern, as we had 5 weeks ago. It wasn't any busier than it had been then midweek, but at least there was a cheery barmaid this time instead of a grumpy old man serving.

Friday 15th July

We were woken up at 5.30 by the first train, but managed to get some more sleep until 7.30.

Set off at 8am and made it through Meaford locks in half an hour and Stone locks in good time. After that there was some waiting at most locks.

Got to Weston in time for an early lunch at the Woolpack on the village green.

Carried on down to Great Haywood junction where we stopped to empty the loo. We also succumbed to an ice cream, as by now it was very hot in the sun, though cooler in the shade than it has been for a long time.

Carried on down the Trent and Mersey, meeting no one at the next two locks.

Stopped for water at Ash Green.

Stopped for the night right outside the Plum Pudding which was excellent 5 weeks ago. The beers were the same but I didn't recognise most of the menu. We had an excellent three course meal not spoilt too much by the live singer. Where else can you get ice cream for a starter and soup for a dessert?

Thursday 14th July

Started at 9am. Met with horse drawn boat Maria again at Hall Green lock going the same way as us. Since we last saw them on Sunday they had been up to Bugsworth Basin. We saw them again later when we emerged from the end of the Macclesfield canal. They were heading north up the Trent and Mersey, we turned south.

Arrived at the north portal of Harecastle tunnel at 1315. There were no other boats waiting and the tunnel keeper advised that it would be about an hour before we could go through.

We went off to try the Harecastle pub, but they did not have any real ale so we went to Tescos to get some milk and sandwiches.

Started through the tunnel at 1335 and it only took about 30 minutes.

Stopped for the night above Meaford locks, right next to the west coast main line! Walked to the George and Dragon but they were fully booked for food so we carried on to the Darlaston, which is a family eating pub with no real ale. After our meal there we wnt back to the George and Dragon to try their three beers.

Wednesday 13th July

Set off about 8.15 to finish our ascent of Marple. Turned right at the top onto the Macclesfield Canal.

Stopped on Bollington embankment and walked though town to the Poachers Inn, where we had a cheap two course meal.

On through Macclesfield and down Bosley locks in record time, 1hr 30mins. We only met one boat in the flight so most of the locks were full.

Carried on till 8.15 having a sandwich on the move and moored at Buglawton, so that we could walk to the Beartown Brewery.

Tuesday 12th July

Left Stoak at 8am. The pound below lock 14w was now sufficiently full for us not to run aground this time. However when we got to 10w the pound below that was too low due to an obstruction on the cill of the bottom gates of 9w. We managed to get the bottom gates to close enough to use it and filled the short pound enough to get through.

Andy left us in Stalybridge at lock 6W and Ian and I carried on to moor below lock 4W again, for an early lunch.

We tried to go to the other GBG pub, but it, along with many others, was not open. However the Station Buffet was open and we both had the Archers mild.

On down to Dukinfield junction where we turned south onto the Peak Forest Canal. Decided to go part way up the Marple flight and we stopped for the night near the road above lock 8.

Went for one pint in the Navigation Inn then to the Italian Restaurant which was good and quite quick. After that we went the GBG pub, the Hatters Arms, then back to the Navigation Inn for a Robinsons Double Hop which we had not seen elsewhere.

Monday 11th July

7am start today in order to be at Wool Road for 8, when they unlock the locks for those boats booked on the days passage through Standedge tunnel. While waiting there we filled up with water to ensure minimum air draught for the tunnel.

We went up through the final 9 locks as the second of four boats, ahead of another boat from Shireoaks.

Near the tunnel mouth Jacob was measured to see if he would fit through the tunnel. The first guy said that Jacob was 1/2in too wide but it'll be OK. However he had to get a second opinion who said that we were 3/4in too wide and it would not be OK. So we had to turn round and go back the way we had come!

Dave and Andrew, who had come specially for the day to go through the tunnel with us in the passenger pod, went off to move their cars again.

Only one boat came through the tunnel from Marsden, and he unfortunately got to the top lock before we did, which held us up going back down.

Made it back to Wool Road where Dave drove us all into Dobcross for lunch at the Swan Inn, which is a Theakstons house with most of their beers.

After that Andrew and Dave left, and we carried on down as far as Roaches lock which apppeared to have good moorings below it, but they weren't deep enough for Jacob.

We ate in the Roaches Lock pub then walked up the hill to find the Rising Sun and the Church Inn, Mossley. Finally we went to the Tollemache Arms.

Sunday 10th July

This morning we met a traditional working boat being towed by a horse! It had come from the festival being held at Dukinfield Junction. So when we got there there were a lot of boats.

Turned east onto the Ashton canal which becomes the Huddersfield Narrow at the first lock,1W. Up through the first three locks and moored below lock 4W in Stalybridge.

Went to the Station Buffet for lunch where Dave and Andrew arrived by train from Liverpool to meet us.

Stopped for the night in Uppermill. We could not find a pub serving food so we resorted to the chippy. Then we drank in the Waggon Inn, where there was a quiz on, but at least it didn't have loud music like all the other pubs did.

Saturday 9th July

Dave left early this morning as there were engineering works affecting services around Manchester..

My brother Adrian, his wife Nadia and their two children Elliot and Erin arrived at 10am. Set off up the canal to Whaley Bridge first, then back to the junction, up to Bugsworth Basin and back to New Mills.

Adrian and family then left, and Ian and I went to meet Andy near the station. We went to a Robinsons pub for lunch as the Beehive was not open.

After lunch we carried on back to Marple where we went down the flight of 16 locks in 2 hours despite the stiff bottom paddle gear.

Moored in Romily for the night. Ate in the Spead Eagle, then a pint in a Robinsons pub, then to the Duke of York which had a few interesting beers.

Friday 8th July

Set off from Macclesfield at 9.30. It was a lovely sunny morning then clouded over in the afternoon but at least it was warm.

Stopped for fuel at Bollington Wharf.

Stopped for lunch at High Lane where we went to the Royal Oak. They only had Burtonwood Bitter, but the sandwiches were good.

After that we carried on to the end of the Macclesfield Canal and turned right onto the Peak Forest Canal at Marple.

Stopped for the night at New Mills. There were no visitor moorings so we went on the long term moorings.

Walked 1 1/2 miles to the Pack Horse Inn where we ate and had three pints. Then back to the the Beehive, which was noisy, where we had two Storm beers from Macclesfield.

Thursday 7th July

Left Congleton shortly after 9am on an overcast day. Made it through Bosley locks a bit slower than our usual pace due to the boat in front.

Ians parents joined us for a ride from the top of the locks to the swingbridge at Fools Nook, Oakgrove, where we all had lunch. Unfortunately due to a power cut yesterday they didn't have any real ale. The only rain we had today was while we were in the pub.

Carried on to Macclesfield where we moored near the old Hovis mill.

Started in the Waters Green Tavern then walked out of town to the Railway View, which was supposed to do food but wasn't. Had a pint there anyway as we knew that there was a Wetherspoons as a last resort. However they recommended a pub further out of town to eat which we tried. This turned out to be the Old Kings Head, a Banks pub which we had passed on the canal one mile before we moored. I had an excellent fish platter.

Walked back into town to the Sun Inn which only had two strong beers, so we moved on after one pint to the Prince of Wales.

Wednesday 6th July

Left Wheelock at 8.30. Today it was a mixture of showers,wind and even some sun later on.

No delays through the locks so we stopped for an early lunch at Broughton Arms, Rode Heath. They only had Marstons Bitter and Pedigree so went on to find the Royal Oak. This turned out to have 6 beers. While in there we heard the announcement about the 2012 Olympics.

After that we carried on up the Cheshhire locks to Hardings Wood junction where we turned off the Trent and Mersey onto the Macclesfield Canal.

Stopped for water above the stop lock, then carried on to Congleton. We moored for the night opposite the wharf which is now redeveloped.

We went to the Wharf pub to eat then on to the Brewery Tap of the Beartown brewery.

Tuesday 5th July

Set off at 9.15 having got some milk at the boatyards shop. Down to Barbridge junction where we turned on to the Middlewich branch. Stopped at the first boatyard to get gas, as we had emptied one cylinder this morning.

Stopped again Venetian marine where I bought a couple of bits in their well stocked Aquafax chandlery.

Stopped near bridge 14 to walk into Church Minshull for lunch at the Badger. However we found that it is closed until further notice.

Back to the boat, set off and had soup while under way.

Turned south in Middlewich to go up the Trent and Mersey. We were going to stop for a pint in the pub at Rumps Lock, but this was closed and displaying To Let signs. So we carried on in the rain to Wheelock.

Went to the Nags Head to eat, then to the Commercial Hotel and finally a pint of Hydes in the Cheshire Cat.

Monday 4th July

Rained all morning. Got up at 9 am to do an oil change. The boat which had been in the dry dock since Friday had been broken into.

Left about 11 and paired up with Meanderer to go through the staircase. Stopped for an early lunch at the Harkers Arms.

Set off after lunch in the rain. Had a long afternoon to get to Bunbury by 7.30 where we moored above the staircase.

Walked into Bunbury to the Dysart Arms where we had booked a table for 8pm. They had 4 ales and all were sampled by at least one person. The best was Weetwood Eastgate. Had a 3 course meal there, which was excellent. It is in the same small chain as the Harkers Arms in Chester.

Sunday 3rd July

Only had three hours to do today to get from Ellemere Port to Chester. So we had a lie in, especially as we didn't get back till well after midnight.

Also held up by having a look at the Cuddington next door to us. This is an old ICI boat that carried caustic from Anderton to Liverpool and Birkenhead.

Stopped at Stoak for lunch. The Bunbury Arms was a welcome surprise, 4 ales and a good menu. We just had a starter each.

On to Chester where we moored at Tower Wharf again. After a bit of sightseeing we met up again for a drink in the Harkers Arms, then went for a meal in Telfords Warehouse and finally back to Harkers for more beer.

Saturday 2nd July

Uncle Eric and Pat arrived about 11am. Dave arrived later having been brought by Jill, Gary and Lloyd. They all stayed to look round the museum.

Checked out the museums cafe for lunch but weren't inspired so we escaped through the back gate and walked round to the Holiday Inn. No real ale but good sandwiches. While we were round there we had a closer look at the two locks and swing bridges into the ship canal and the entrance.

Eric and Pat left shortly after lunch. Later on after looking round more of the museum, and after a cup of tea we headed into Liverpool again. Met Andrew in the Thomas Rigby, which has Okells alses. Then onto the Roscoe Head where we were to meet Steve and Carol before going on to the Val Pariso restaurant, which was excellent. Unfortunatley the only two sweets that people fancied were both off, so we only had 2 courses.

After that we went up to the Crack for some more beers.

Friday 1st July

Left Chester at 9am having witnessed the dry dock actually being used. It's about the only thing left of a once thriving area.

The first 2 or 3 miles to the edge of Chester are not marvellous, but then there are three miles of lovely countryside until you get to the motorway. Then its all downhill to Ellesmere Port.

On arrival at the baot museum, the trip boat was blocking access to the lock, so I waited till they left and then went down through the 2 narrow locks and moored on one of the islands.

I was warned that I was moored on top of two sunken pontoons but need not worry unless the level dropped by a few feet!

Walked into Ellesmere Port to get milk. Bought a Bluetooth earpiece in the new shopping centre. Met Ian off the train.

Back to the boat briefly, then set off again to catch a train into Liverpool where we met Andrew at Central station. We first went into the Vines, which may be in the national inventory but doesn't have any real ale. On to the Dispensary for some Cains. I had their new Lager.

Ate in Ma Bos. Disappointed that they now have proper tablecloths and you don't automatically get rice bowls and chop sticks.

After that we went to the Roscoe Head, and because it was raining we stayed there.

Thursday 30th June

Set off at 9am. This stretch is more boring than the previous stretch, not helped by the 1 1/2 miles of moored boats.

When I got to the first lock there were boats coming up in it so I carried on. Same again at the second lock, but at the third, Tarvin Road lock, I was on my own, though a passer by closed the gate behind me. Just below the lock is the Bridge Inn with bollards outside. When it started to rain it confirmed my decision to stop there for an early lunch.

Met boats coming the other way at the next two locks, but when I came to the staircase it was all down to me, including setting it. There were a pair of swans with 2 cygnets who came into the top lock with me but decided to stay there rather than follow me down.

Moored in the last decent spot at Tower wharf. After a cup of tea, a snooze and a shower, I realised that no boats had been up or down the locks since me, so I went back with a windlass to let the swans out of the top lock.

Then I went to Telfords Warehouse for a meal. They have 4 real ales including a mild!