Macclesfield / Trent & Mersey Canals 24-31 March

The weather is being kind to us on our departure from Bugsworth Basin and we feel that spring is on the way.

These llamas are to be found near the River Goyt.

As was this Spring lamb.

Andy saw this Red Admiral on a branch of pussy willow, also near the River Goyt.

Goyt Meadow Country Park, seen here in the foreground, is a wonderful dog walk. There is free public access, both from the canal lying high above the valley floor, and from the Goyt river path down below. There are three train lines running up the Goyt Valley, with New Mills clinging to the hill behind. Our walk to the Bridge Club was up this hill!

Marple locks lie ahead here, but we turn left on to the Macclesfield canal.

Here we pass a boat as we descend Bosley locks. The canal is not very busy today.

On joining the Trent & Mersey canal at Hardings Wood junction near Kidsgrove, we find that our new blacking has a gingery red hue from the iron in the water! This next part of the canal is usually called Heartbreak Hill, due to the number of locks on the run down to Middlewich. Fortunately for us, we have some good crew, which makes for a pleasant descent. Many of the locks are parallel locks, so two boats can use the locks at the same time. We met NB Ramyshome below lock 42. We saw them on the Thames last year.

Catkin does enjoy the walk between the locks but enjoys the rest at each lock even better!