Marple Locks, tick.

We woke up after a very quiet night and after coming to we both decided that we weren't feeling on top form so we rolled over again for another few minutes. It was warm last night and very windy so this morning we were covered in leaves and all the little creepy crawlies that were living in the sycamore tree above us. There were loads of different ones but I think that oak trees hold the record as they host hundreds of species. We finally got away after 1000 but only as far as water point. As this is a notoriously slow tap I had time to brush all the leaves and insects off before setting off down the locks at 1045.

The covered warehouse built by the Canal Company which was for perishable items. The narrows by the warehouse were originally a stop lock between the two canal companies but it seems it was never really used.

I love this building at the junction It was once part of the Jink's boat yard and dry dock.

We were the first boat down but with the leaking gates etc it need almost all of them to be emptied. I set off with gay abandon but as we descended I could feel the steam running out.

Helen leaving Lock 13. There are 16 locks that drop the lock over 200 ft so all the locks are over 10 ft. The gates are very easy to swing but the depth of water makes the gate paddles very heavy to start off.

I love this horse tunnel under the road. The first set of steps go up to the gates then right by them the white handrail leads down to a side tunnel for the boater to get back on the boat and also down to the horse tunnel. It is a shame that the path is concreted rather than cobbled.

Samuel Oldknow was a promoter of the Peak Forest Canal. He brought baled goods from his mill to this warehouse that he had built for onward shipment. It is a nice conversion and if your are interested there is an office for rent with in it.

Helen had to keep the boat well forward to avoid filling the engine hole with water from the leaking top gates on some locks. It shows how deep the locks are too.

By the time we got to Lock 5 the energy levels were really failing. Fortunately the flight is really lovely to work down and there were lots of walkers that were asking questions and passing the time of day.

I was very pleased to see the bottom and the railway bridge as I knew we didn't have far to go then. It took us 2 hrs 30 mins today. Our best is 2 hrs. I must be getting old!

Marple aqueduct is the highest in England about 30 feet less than Pontcysyllte. It was nearly lost for ever when British Waterways ignored leaks in the trough and in 1962 one of the outer arches collapsed. As the canals were more or less derelict the plan was to knock it down. Fortunately Conservative Minister of  Public Buildings and Works Geoffrey Rippon did a deal with the Cheshire council that they would pay over what it would have cost to knock it down! The system would have been very different if it had gone. In 1966 it became a listed structure. The canal and railway aqueducts would be a real tourist attraction if it was down south!

We went through the narrows of what used to be a tunnel and just afterwards the north bank opens up and gives you a panorama. We have stopped here every time we pass this was. No sooner were we moored that I sat down and din't feel like moving again. However I felt chilly so lit the fire and then fell asleep in the chair for the best part of two hours! I felt a bit better afterwards so I hope that by the morning we will be okay to head for Ashton.