Dam at Clarence Mill

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Bollington Aqueduct Stoppage Update

Yesterday afternoon I called in to Bollington to check on the progress of the stoppage. BW's contractors May Gurney where on site erecting harris fencing. They have installed dams at the woodyard bridge and by Clarence Mill and had drained the canal between these two points. The dam at Clarance Mill took approximately 160 tonnes of clay to construct, I just hope 160 tonnes come back out when they are finished. Hopefully work will commence on the aqueduct soon.

I also popped down to Bosley Locks to check on the progress at Lock 4. There was no sign of any work starting at all and the locks looked to be open to traffic. We will wait & see if this stoppage actually happens.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

A day off, of sorts

Well a fairly relaxed day today. This morning we met up with Hiroko, Vaughan & Dave to do some more filming for NHK (Japanese TV). It was a beautiful day and we had a very pleasant walk around Sutton Reservoir doing a bit of birdwatching and a short interview. We are trying to not let this film star lifestyle go to our heads! We then joined the crew for a delicious lunch at the Fools Nook Inn.
This afternoon we have had an opportunity to catch up on some admin and do some deliveries and collect a few supplies.
In the photo the NHK Filmcrew:- Dave (Soundman), Hiroko (Director), Vaughan (Cameraman)
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Stoppages Start

Well another busy weekend for us aboard Alton. On Saturday morning we set-off from Windlehurst heading south on the Macc making plenty of deliveries through Poynton, Bollington and Macclesfield. On Saturday evening we joined Tim and Karen Lane at their Bonfire Party. We had a lovely evening sat around the fire chatting and enjoying a few drinks and some lovely food.

We struggled to rouse ourselves when the alarm went off at 6am, but eventually we got moving to start loading some more stock on Alton before leaving Fools Nook at 8am. It was a beautiful autumnal morning and we made good progress back to Poynton. Here we were joined again by the NHK film crew consisting off Hiroko (Director), Vaughn (Cameraman) and Dave (Soundman). The film crew joined us for the run up to Marple and darkness was just falling as we moored up between Bridges 1 & 2. We joined the film crew for a delicious meal at the Dolce Vita italian restaurant which was a lovely way to end the day.

On Monday morning we woke to heavy rain and buffeting winds, we didn't want to get out of bed but we knew we had plenty of customers waiting for us. We had a busy start with plenty of deliveries around Marple and we the headed along the Upper Peak Forest with wind & rain continuing unabated. We met up with the film crew again at New Mills and they then bridge hopped along watching us getting soaked! We had another busy afternoon in Whaley Bridge, mooring up well after dark. By the end of the day we had spent 14 hours out in that terrible weather and were cold, wet & exhausted, the joys of coalboating!

BW Stoppages should now have commenced at Bollington Aqueduct, Bosley Locks and Hyde Bank Tunnel. For the duration of the stoppages Alton will operate fornightly from Whaley Bridge to Whitely Green (nr Bollington). We will also have supplies available from our butty St Austell at Fools Nook. We will be delivering fornightly by road from Thurday 18th November to Bollington, Kerridge, Macclesfield, Gurnett etc.

Our next run with Alton will be:-

Friday 19th November - Whaley Bridge, Bugsworth & Furness Vale
Saturday 20th November - Furness Vale, Marple, Poynton to Whitely Green
Sunday 21st November - Whitely Green return to Furness Vale