Back on the Macc, and it's Autumn, folks

2nd & 3rd September

As predicted here last time, we had a relaxed start yesterday, getting away at 8.30, and then stopping immediately on the water point and running a wash load before setting off up the four Stone and four Meaford locks.

These locks have also been fitted with offside bollards, but they are at least appropriate looking iron mushrooms, painted white and much less of a hazard than the ridiculous wooden things being installed further south.

Less encouraging was the state of the towpath between the locks at the top of Meaford. It's been slowly subsiding into the cut for years there, and had successively been fenced with orange netting, then with wooden rails, and now yet more netting has appeared, as parts of the rails have fallen into the water. It desperately needs the whole pound to be piled again, as the BW guy painting the lock ladders confirmed. (Phrases about deckchairs and the Titanic come irresistibly to mind.)

There's a road alongside, which in turn is beginning to move, so something must be done shortly. Meanwhile, BW have installed an alternate towpath along the offside, including bridging the by-pass weir for the top lock.

The canal continued very busy, with much traffic in both directions, as you would expect on one of the most popular cruising rings at the end of the school holidays.

By 11.30 we were tied beyond Barlaston, on the moorings near the Wedgwood factory. As the weather was beginning to deteriorate, we dropped the cratch cover again and lit the stove.

The afternoon was put to good use by fitting temporary double glazing film to the bedroom and bathroom portholes and the three prisms. We don't have a hair drier on board to finish the job, but it seemed a good idea to get the stuff up whilst the boat was comparatively dry inside. We can always borrow a drier at Braidbar when we get there, hopefully.

Today, by mutual agreement, we set off at 7.30, wanting to take advantage of a sunny morning which was forecast to deteriorate later. Even at its brightest it was very cold, and a bit damp, and, still wearing shorts as we were, we both found the breeze chilly around the knees.

We worked steadily up the Stoke locks, making such good progress that it became clear that we would be at the South portal of Harecastle before lunch. In the event, we got there by 11.30, to find Ivor Batchelor on duty and in fine form.

We shared a good bit of towpath scandal with him, much of it unfit for this outlet, and then found ourselves third in line into the tunnel at around 11.45. This time Ivor chose the boat ahead for his favourite leg pull.

This involves Ivor saying solemnly to the steerer of the boat as it enters the tunnel "Would you just mind sounding your horn for me, sir?"

The steerer of course complies, assuming this to be part of the safety check before being allowed in. Ivor then smiles in satisfaction and says "Thank you very much; that'll scare the boggut!" (Harecastle is reputed to be haunted by a ghost known as the Kitcrew Boggut.)

It was distinctly cold in the tunnel and by the time we emerged we were in no doubt; Autumn is here, and long trousers should be worn.

We tied on the towpath side just before the junction with the Macc, and after lunch I nipped along to Tesco for a few items whilst Sheila made a start on repairing the state of our flower tubs and replacing them on the roof, they having been placed in the well deck during passage of the tunnel.

She'd not got far with this before I was back, and didn't want to hang around in Kidsgrove. Accordingly, and despite the rain getting worse, we've come on to the Little Morton Hall mooring beyond the Heritage yard at Scholar Green.

The weather is now so bad, wind and rain and cold with it, that not only have we dropped the cratch cover and lit the stove, we've put the covers on all the portholes to keep out the miserable sight.

Hopefully we'll get a window of better weather tomorrow to go on through Congleton and either stop at the bottom of Bosley (if it's grotty again) or go up to the top for the night.