We rarely loiter on the
Bridgewater Canal, as we have a 7-day limited allowed on it. But
because we were waiting for the lock repairs on the Ashton Canal
before we entered the central Manchester area we spent a few days in
Sale, where we’d never moored previously. It was handy for the
shops and had some super yarn bombing.
Is this graffiti or wall art?
And what about the name of this narrowboat we saw in Sale?
CRT usually send out their e-mails late in the day, as they did to say the lock on the Ashton Canal had a temporary repair and was open for a few days until a longer stoppage for the proper fix.
The chap moored behind us set of for Castlefields there and then. He said he was hoping to meet another boat to go up the 9 wide locks on the Rochdale Canal and would hit those locks at first light.
So, we decided to follow him & be his lock buddies in the morning.It's unusual for us to travel late in the day, so an evening cruise was a nice treat.
It was 10 years ago we’d travelled this route, from Waters Meeting junction into Castlefields, but in the opposite direction. I think the Manchester skyline has altered no end over those years.
We had a lovely evening in the Staffordshire Arm at Castlefields, right under the railway arches, which we’ve travelled over many a time. We have never moored here before though and certainly plan to return for the allotted 72 hours at the visitor mooring. We have often walked around the area, but a stay would be amazing.
The alarm set for very early so we could have a proper breakfast. There were 9 wide locks and then 18 narrow ones ahead.
The alarm wasn’t required as the geese were up way before us!!
While sipping our coffee there was a huge thump on the bow – someone's jumped aboard!! Look who it was, and the cheeky thing was nibbling my mint plant.
As planned, in the bottom lock of the Rochdale 9 just as the sun was peeping out.
