Tuesday 21st October.

Today was the day we were to get the tail end of the American Hurricane. It was a bit drafty through the night with the boat banging occasionally on the side but we were away at a reasonable hour and straight up into Armentieres Square, named after the twin town of Staylbridge. It was here that the canal was closed with over building etc and the council agreed to demolition the obstructions and have the canal right through the centre. It seems that people still seem to gaze at you with wonder but soon weary of the sight and carry on. Maybe better times in the future will bring back a sparkle to  the town.

Armentieres Square, Staylbridge.

Once clear of the town locks it was more gusty and I was a little worried that wer may have trees down in the canal that would prevent us getting to Standedge in time but we were okay. The valley would have been very different 50 years ago as there was a large power station in the valley with the rail lines either side of the valley busy shunting coal wagons about to feed Hartshead power station. The pylons are still there from the substation but the power station has disappeared with nothing replacing it.

A pylon was built right over the canal giving a different view of it as you pass below.

Today was my birthday so I had the pleasure of emptying the compost toilet. Actually it is not an unpleasant job and there is a great feeling of a job done on completion and it doesn't need doing for at least another three weeks.

This is the service block but looks more like a prison block to me.

This is what is left of a conveyor that transported  coal from marshaling yards on the east side of the valley to the power station on the west. They partly demolished it when it became redundant but have left this.

There have been  several sinkings at lock 9W as it seems that the water can run out as you are crossing the sill going up. C&RT have installed the warning and level indicator to ensure that you don't trey to leave the lock with a low pound. There is plenty of water at the moment so no problem for us  today.

Later in the afternoon there were several  very heavy gusts and they did bring down a few branches but not to cause any problems. The rain came down in  short sharp showers so  we were able to almost dry out between each one so all in all not too bad at all. This photo may give a dramatic idea of what it was like at the time. Mossley Church.

The canal climbs higher and higher and we are really getting into the hills now.

It was nice to arrive at Woodend and batten down for the night with the fire lit and a book to read. I bought some Supertherm smokeless fuel at Portland Basin and I must say that it makes a good fire. There is plenty of ash mind. All in all not a bad birthday and even a card from my Mum in Law. Oh yes and a lovely birthday cake too, baked by my beautiful wife's own fair hand. All is right with the world.