Geo-Trips :: A day out with Spey
Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals
A boat trip from Macclesfield, Tue, 15 Sep 2009 by Alan Murray-Rust
'Spey' is a former Thomas Clayton (Oldbury) Ltd oil tanker, now privately owned.
It retains its original Bolinder diesel engine, the slow beat of which is ideally attuned to the leisurely progress of a narrow boat. The boat had been working its way back from further south and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join it for a day.
A chance to get some views slightly different from those which can be taken from the towpath, ending up at the splendid Navigation at Bugsworth Basin for a meal and real ale.
On the map below, the grey line is the GPS track from this trip. Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )
↓ Scroll down here ↓
Industrial Macclesfield
Not obvious in this view, but on the other side of the hedge to the left is the... more
Bridge 30
On the Macclesfield Canal between Macclesfield and Bollington.
Macclesfield Canal Milestone
This is one of the few which has not had the placenames defaced (see [[1500229]]).... more
Turnover bridge
This allowed the Towpath to be changed from one side of the canal to the other... more
Kerridge boatyard
This was originally a wharf where a tramroad came down from Kerridge Hill behind.
Passing Adelphi Mill
The approaching boat is one of the few still operating commercially on the canal.... more
Adelphi Mill, Bollington
For more information about this mill, see [[568130]]. The part of the building... more
Bollington wharf
Providing facilities for boaters as well as boat hire.
Bollington Aqueduct
The Macclesfield Canal crosses the River Dean and Palmerston Street (the B5090) at... more
Sawmill at Bollington
A long-standing small business alongside the canal.
The approach to Clarence Mill
Being on a boat allows a different perspective even compared with the towpath.
Bridge 26A
This footbridge at Clarence Mill has been very recently erected - compare with... more
From M????? 3 Miles
The defacing of the milestones along the Macclesfield Canal was an act of official... more
From Hole House Lane Bridge
The Macclesfield Canal north of Bollington.
Spey' at bridge 23
On the Macclesfield Canal near Bollington. 'Spey' is a former Thomas Clayton... more
Lengthsman's cottage
This cottage was provided by the Canal Company for the person responsible for the... more
Old mine shaft
This area was full of small coal mines dating back the seventeenth century.... more
Approaching Lyme Road Bridge
On the Macclesfield Canal near Higher Poynton. Along this section of the canal the... more
Lord Vernon's Wharf
Originally built to serve His Lordship's coal mines in the area now a small... more
High Lane Arm
This served a wharf adjacent to the main Buxton Road, as well as a short branch to... more
High Lane Arm bridge
The bridge carries the towpath across the arm of the canal down to High Lane Wharf.
High Lane Cricket Club
Alongside the Macclesfield Canal.
High Lane Arm
A feature of the arm is the survival of boathouses, dating back to before the... more
At High Lane
The Bull's Head is conveniently situated for passing trade on both the main road... more
Goyt Mill, Marple
This mill continued to use the canal for transport until the 1960s.
Goyt Mill, Marple
The water tower at the northwest corner of the mill, showing the unmistakeable... more
Goyt Mill, Marple
This monochrome view taken from a former working narrowboat has an almost timeless... more
Stop lock, Marple
At the entrance to the Macclesfield Canal. When there were two separate canal... more
Marple Wharf
The warehouse, stop lock and basin of the Macclesfield Canal.
Church Lane, Marple
At the junction of Brickbridge Lane, with All Saints Primary School to the left.
Houses at Marple Top Lock
An attractive location overlooking the canal junction.
Bridge 22, Peak Forest Canal
One of a pair of lifting bridges on this section of the canal; it serves a farm... more
Brunswick Mill, Newtown
The home of Swizzells Matlow, maker of childhood favourites such as refreshers and... more
New Mills Viaduct
On the former Midland Railway main line into Manchester.
Furness Vale marina
This simply did not exist the last time I came along this canal in 1980.
Lake View cottages
These were presumably built for workers at the mill just below; the name refers to... more
Station Road bridge, Furness Vale
This would have replaced a more traditional bridge when loads became heavier with... more
Winding at Whaley Bridge
Turning a 70ft narrow boat in a confined space is an interesting manoeuvre. The... more
Whaley Bridge basin
The narrow boat 'Spey' is being turned or 'winded'. In the background is the... more
Bugsworth Branch junction
The narrow boat 'Spey' has just turned into the branch, coming from Whaley Bridge.
'Spey' at Bugsworth
This was the first occasion that 'Spey' had been brought up to this iconic... more
Sunset at Bugsworth
A view through the bridge between the Upper and Middle Basins.
Bugsworth Middle Basin
Seen at sunset from the Station Road bridge.
Station Road bridge
The last rays of the sun illuminate the stonework of the underside of the arch.
The Navigation, Bugsworth Basin
Built to serve workers at the canal basin, it is still a popular venue. Some of... more
All images © Alan Murray-Rust and available under a
Creative Commons licence 
.
