Atkinson Lorry with 5 Gardner Engines on Board at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Gardner Engined Landrover at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Ferrous at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Gardner 3LW in Hyskier at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Putnal Field at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Garner 2LW in NB Magic @ GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton at Gardner Engine Rally Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Whaley Water Weekend & Gardner Engine Rally at Bugsworth

We reloaded Alton with diesel and solid fuel on Tuesday & Wednesday and on Thursday morning we set of heading North. We were running the round a couple of days early so it was a bit quieter than usual. The water levels were about 4" down and as we also had a reasonable load on we soon started getting stuck in the bridge holes around Macc. Other boats were also struggling, including one which couldn't get onto the water point in Macc. We phoned the BW office at Red Bull & they agreed to feed in more water. The situation gradually improved over the next 2 days. The weather was a mixed bag and we had some bright sunshine & the odd short heavy shower. We tied up for the night in Marple and had a pint at the Ring 'o Bells before tea.

On Friday morning we had to serve some customers in the arm near Marple top lock, we really struggled to reverse back into the arm stirring up the silt. With the water levels still down a bit we stuck hard in the first lift bridge on the Peak Forest Canal & had to be helped through by the crew of a following boat bow hauling us. We continued on to Whaley Bridge before tying up at Bugsworth where preparations were in hand for the Gardner Engine Rally. Brian went for a wander around looking at some of the engines & chatting to the boaters. We then retired to the Navvy for a pint or 2, where they had on Abbeydale Dalmatian which was delicious and a very good brew from Whim Ales at only £2 a pint. We dragged ourselves away from the bar and returned to the boat for our tea.

On Saturday morning we where up and away by 7am (well Ann Marie was, Brian was still lazing in bed). We tied up in Whaley Basin for the Whaley Water Weekend and where soon joined by George Boyle on Sandbach. We had a pleasant day chatting with the public & customers and handing out our leaflets & cards. There was plenty for people to see and do including free boat trips, classic cars, stationary engines, fun fair and all sorts of stalls for local groups, charities & small businesses.

Towards the end of the afternoon we returned to Bugsworth where it was very busy & a bit chaotic with boats all moored around the winding hole & the wind blowing down the valley. We served a few more customers & had a last look round the engines on show before heading back down the Peak Forest Canal to Marple.

Sunday morning started bright & breezy. We had a fairly busy time around Poynton before the dreaded rain came down. It lashed it down for the rest of the day & we both took it in turn to steer / get dry in the cabin. By 6pm we where back at Oakgrove ready to reload with a couple more tons of supplies ready for our run to Ellesmere Port, Middlewich & River Weaver. By the time we had finished we looked & felt like drowned rats. We were glad to be able to get a shower before grabbing some tea and a good nights rest!
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals