High Lane to Portland Basin

Another early start this morning. Pulled the pins at 6.40. For the first time in days, we could see the sky, rather than just a grey blanket up there where the sky should be. The day stayed mainly fine, with just one heavy shower around 10.30. The sun even put in an appearance during the afternoon. We don't trust the weather enough to let the fire out though!




After filling up with water at Marple, we turned left onto the Peak Forest Canal and started down the Marple Locks. There are 16 of them, all within walking distance of each other. Most of tehm were against us and had to be filled before we could go in. The ones that were already full were the ones that leaked the mst so they filled on their own. There was a lot of water on this flight. Some of the locks were so full, they were almost overflowing. It was difficult getting the lock gates open as the water was coming over the tops.


We had the flight to ourselves until we got almost to the bottom. A couple arrived at the lock with windlasses and helped us through. They had set the last lock for us and helped us through that one as well. Their boat was moored at the bottom and they started up the flight as we came out. It took us just short of two hours to do the locks.

The stretch from Marple to Ashton-under-Lyne is quite pretty in most parts. The second half of the canal follows the river Tame, although for most of the way, you can't see the river. Although the canal goes through Romily, Woodley and Hyde, the towns don't encroach on the canal for long. Most of the stretch is rural.




There are a few old mill buildings still standing along the canal. Some have been converted into offices. There are also walls along the side of the canal showing where other mills and wharfs must have stood.

We arrived at Portland Basin, Ashton-under-Lyne just after 12.00, just as the sun came out. There was one other boat already moored there whe we arrived. During the afternoon several more boats arrived and moored up. After shopping at Asda, we had a quiet afternoon reading, sewing, snoozing and listening to the radio. Brilliant signal here. Nearly as fast as cable at home.


9.25 miles. 16 locks. 2 tunnels.