10th April, 2019.
A few old friends gathered together for a day trip along 8 miles of the Macclesfield Canal. We hired a dayboat from Heritage Marina at Scholar Green. The boat is called Daydream and can carry 12 people. That would be a bit of a squeeze and we opted a more comfortable number of travellers - there were 7 of us.
After a quick safety talk from Dave (the marina boss) we were off (0930). Dave stayed with us for the first few minutes to explain the steering and controls (there aren't many!) and to tell us not to fall in. Then he leaped off onto the bank and we were on our own!
It takes a little while but we soon got the hang of this steering business (just pull the tiller in the opposite direction to the way you intend to go). The boat's top speed is only 3 mph - what is amazing is how fast that seems when approaching one of the many very narrow bridges on the Macclesfield Canal. There are 30 of them (hence the blog name) for us to negotiate on the way to Bosley locks.
We can slow down if we feel that careering under the bridges at the full 3mph is foolhardy - there is a speed control. We all needed it - there was only about a foot clearance on either side through the bridges - and the helmsman (is that the right term for the person at the back on the tiller?) is a long way from the front of the boat. There's no denying that there was some minor bumping on occasions but Daydream is a sturdy conveyance and well able to take a knock or two in her stride.
Everyone had a go on the tiller. We were told to pass oncoming boats on the right (port side to port side as Colin informed us all) and to give way where appropriate. We only had to stop for oncoming traffic once. We tied up on the side whilst 'Mollie' came through bridge 64 (they are all numbered). Tying up wasn't easy - Daydream wanted to drift away from the bank. If we go again I shall ask the marina boss to show us the proper technique.
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| waiting for the oncoming boat to come through bridge 64 |
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| After you Mollie |
I don't think Rob and I quite knew how we did it, but when we reached Bosley Locks (the point where we could go no further as the insurance doesn't allow day boaters to negotiate the locks) we somehow executed a 3 point turn. I doubt if we could do that again.
On the way back, we had a little time in hand so we decided to tie up and enjoy some of Ted's lemon cake. It took us 3 attempts to maneuver our boat into a suitable mooring in the sun. It was worth it though - Ted and Ann served up the cake and tea whilst the rest of us did our best to keep Daydream secured. We made a feeble attempt at a mooring using 3 ropes.
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| everyone had a go at the tiller |
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| Ted & Ann serving up the tea and cake |
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| Ramsdell Hall looking wonderful in the April sun (yours for £2m) |
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| 10 black sheep taking no notice of Daydream |
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| just as we approached the heron flew off |
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| a postcard scene near Ramsdell Hall |
Then, the final short stretch to the marina. This time we steered straight into our berth at the first attempt - just like we were old hands at this boating game. Cheers to all the old friends who said yes when we came up with the idea. Huge fun, no accidents, all of us enjoyed the day and I think we would all do it again.
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| Alan, Rob, Colin, Pete, Ann & Dave (Ted took the photo) |
