Autumn seemed to arrive late and disappear early this year, or at least we think so. But what we did see of it was worth it.
High Lane
With several more commitments off the boat we needed good access to public transport. Half way between Middlewood and High Lane provided us with good options, and a lovely walking route.
We couldn’t resist a cruise down memory lane either as we decided to go onto the Peak Forest canal for a week or two.
Turned right onto the Peak Forest
And we managed to get a perfect view of the Halo Moon
The Halo Moon
But of course clear skies make for a frosty morning
Disley
Our neice has just moved to the area so she came to see us and enjoyed the cruise into Bugsworth Basin
Aunty Cheryl, Laura and Uncle Eric
We took the opportunity to catch up with several friends that we made in 2017 when we’d moved onto Firecrest but weren’t able to leave the Braidbar
We said our goodbyes to Buggy and the Sunny,
And before we knew it winter had arrived
The canal was frozen for a week and the only boat daft enough to break the ice was a CRT work boat travelling at speed. We were livid, and wish we’d thought to take a number down to complain. The snow didn’t last long, unlike the snow that fell at mum’s up in the Lake District, they got 12 inches most of it falling in just an hour or two. No wonder it took them by surprise. I caught the train up a few days after and although most had gone, the views remained spectacular
The River Kent (in cumbria)
and going back to wake up to my favourite view from my teenage bedroom
We turned onto the Macclesfield Canal during the last week of October. Apart from a few chilly mornings, the sunshine had provided enough heat to keep the boat warm, and an extra hour under the duvet had kept us warm up until now.
Autumn at Stanier Bridge 62, on a warm day
Although the boiler drinks more diesel than Eric drinks beer, it’s not economy that fuels our reluctance to enjoy a hot radiator, but a stubborn streak of perverseness that eggs us on to hold off for as long as possible. Not to mention the wardrobe full of handknits to wear. Mooring up at Ramsdell Hall, we thought we were going to make it to the beginning of November
Rowndes Bridge 86 (ramsdell VM) Tuesday evening
But the following morning, enough was enough, we both agreed the time had come.
Rowndes Bridge 86 Wednesday morning
I’d been invited to attend a concert in Liverpool so we needed to reach the train station at Macclesfield. So despite the fog, we pushed on to do the Bosley flight before the rain started. No volunteers to help at this time of year, but we still managed all 12 locks in under 2 hours
The Bosley Flight (and boat wash)
We were unlucky with the mooring in Macclesfield, as most had been taken, and the visitor pontoon has a 2 day restriction all year round. We would have liked to have stayed longer but we had just enough time for us to visit the monthly treacle market – which in my opinion is one of the best street markets in the country with a combination of nearly 200 artisan foods, art and handicraft stalls. And then I caught the train to Liverpool.
Our “plan A” had been to overwinter in Salthouse Dock, , so we could be close to family and all the fun and culture Liverpool has to offer. But alas it wasn’t to be, we’ll enjoy the greater freedom of cruising more – and I can spend our mooring fees on train fares. Aunty lives near the Formby coast which is great for sunsets
Formby Beach
Even better when you have a cousin to share it with
Me and Diana
We all went to the Phil to hear Vikingur Ólafsson to play the Bach Goldberg Variations.
If only I were allowed to post an audio of the concert, it was magical
After my frivolities it was time to settle down to some hard work Our son was having to move house, don’t get me started on the relationship between landlords and tenants, we’ve experienced good and bad from both sides. Nowadays young people don’t have that magic box automatically ticked on their drivers licence that allows them to drive a van, which meant we were called upon to hire the van … and put in the man power to help with the heavy lifting. It’s a bit ironic that for “Plan B” we’d chosen to cruise up the Macclesfield canal so we could spend some time with him, but hopefully he’s settling in to his new abode now even if it’s nowhere near a canal now.
Lucky we’d hired a big van
At least for us living on a boat means we’re well used to moving our home. We found ourselves mooring back where Firecrest was built, near Braidbar Boats, nice to pop in and say hello to some good friends. As well as enjoying the expanse of the wides.
Braidbar wides, (probably not the official name)
We seem to be spending more time off the boat than on it this month, and we topped it off by celebrating a 90th birthday in the Lake District but the old dog likes his privacy so here’s the young one enjoying the festivities.
Boris the dog
And we got to spend a week at “home” (where the central heating is on all year round and we get too hot)
