Bossing Bosley Locks.

 We had decided over night that I would get the boat going at around 0800 to get to the foot of the Bosley Locks before they locked them up for the day. We were under the impression that all boats had to be clear of the flight by 1300, so meaning they would be locked by about 1030. The reality of it appears to be that if you are there just before 1300 they will let you up the flight!

It was a nice morning, with a little mist about, and plenty of walkers, with and without dogs. We were soon over the Canal Road aqueduct and clear.

It seems that things in the skies are getting back to something a little more like normal if the number of con trails in the sky this morning are anything to go by.

It wasn't long before we came to the first iconic turnover or snake bridge. You have to admit that they are quite sensuous, and just plain curvy. Plus the dressed stone just adds some permanence to the whole thing too. I also love the worn cobbles on the ramps that give witness to the many feet that have passed this way.

The glimpse of the hills as we approached the aqueduct is enough the heart to lift. It is always a thrill to be on a canal in hills, rather than plodding through the plains. It is always nice to have a view.

There is a long straight as you approach Buglawton and you can see several bridges down the way. It may not be very sunny today, but it is still, and not cold at all. The reflections are pretty.

The viaduct across the River Dane is impressive seen in the distance and must have been a major engineering feat of its day. It was built in 1841 and has 23 arches. The River Dane flows into the  Mersey and the Irish Sea, but some of its water can be channeled via the canals to Rudyard Lake and then the Caldon Canal, and hence into the Trent and the North Sea. The river is said to be the longest, fastest and cleanest river in Cheshire and has a footpath of 48 miles that closely follows its course.

We got to the foot of the locks at about 0945 and it seemed we were the fourth boat to set off up. Looking back over the aqueduct the Cloud rises like a downy pillow.

The stone for the locks was quarried locally and the first lock seems to have the most undamaged walls. There is something about stone isn't there. As you can see the sun did occasionally made an appearance too. 

We were following a boat up and at the second lock a boat was coming down. I got very confused as one of the down boats crew stayed with us for a while!!. In the next pound was a boat moored with a centre line, heading up, with nobody with it. I went in the empty lock guiltily. It seems he had gone up helping another boat who was struggling. He didn't mind he said. To further cause me to be confused a man from the boat ahead fell back and helped the single hander that we had leapfrogged. That left the boat ahead with two elderly people to struggle on. We lifted paddles as we left each lock and kept going.

There was a bit of a wait at the bridge before the last lock and I was amused by the sparrows using the parapet as a source of grit or minerals as they clung on and pecked at the stone. It seems that birds need a bit of grit in their gizzards to help digestion. They also need calcium carbonate from the rocks and mortar to help with bones and egg laying etc.

Helen had held up three cars at the Fool's Nook electrified swing bridge but as we got to the old bone works bridge she had to do the hard work. Mind you it seemed pretty easy this time. I seem to remember having to lend a hand on previous passages. Whilst I was waiting  got something round the prop that turned out to be a bike inner tube! Why would you throw that in the cut?

As we cleared the railway line and road the canal turns a corner and you have this lovely vista, once again enticing you onwards. To the hills, to the hills!

We found a spot near the Gurnett Aqueduct and settled down for a short while. Helen then decided that we should go and visit the garden centre and ended up buying a pot of sedums, two Christmas baubles and a coffee and a scone to share. Another good day was had by all. It is so nice to come back to the warmth and glow of the stove too.