From Tim_Boddington@compuserve.com Mon May 3 18:56:21 1999 Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 14:07:04 -0400 From: Tim Boddington Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: NGc canals contribute AA Subject: Trip report - Blue Heron part 2 (long) [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] DAY TWO (8/5) Hardingswood to Stone I know the Macclesfield very well, walking it and seeing some parts on a regular basis. As a consequence the changes that take place over the years are simply absorbed as they occur. This is not so with the other canals cruised on this trip. Although I visit places like Great Hayward and Fradley quite often, I have not seen the main length of the canals since I last cruised them in July 1986. Twelve years of changes are therefore imposed on the mind in one go - always assuming that one can remember what it looked like before. The first change is the complete removal of the towing path from Harecastle Tunnel. Most had gone in '86 but some was still there. I also noticed features in the roof line that seemed unfamiliar. We had to wait till 8.50 before entering and it still took 45 mins. When we came out the day had become bright and sunny with a moderate wind. It got hotter as the day progressed. I noticed that br.125(?) which used to be the lowest along this stretch has been raised. Br.116 below the second lock seems to have taken over in that respect. The trip to Etruria was marked by re-developments of what had previously often been derelict industrial sites. They were just clearing up the demolition of the steel mill that used to cross the canal. There remains only one undeveloped major historic industrial site - the Middleport Pottery. I wonder how long it will last; it looks very run down. I made a point of stopping to photograph it as well as the Burslem Arm, the subject of a restoration proposal by the T&M Society. Because of the strength of the wind it took a good 5 minutes to get off the side here. Down the locks from Etruria, at the fourth lock, by the railway, a chap came rushing over the Cockshutt sidings to the fence to say that he thought it was Blue Heron coming down the pound! He turned out to be the son of friends of Stan & Judy. Heading out of town the old accommodation bridge 109 has been replaced by the new A50 bridge near to the Britannia Stadium. Looks too good for a Division Two club. Have you seen Macclesfield Town's minimalist stadium!? Through Hem Heath I got into conversation with a most interesting towpath pedestrian who shared my interest in local railways. Passing through Barlaston I was disappointed to see that the railway signal on the towpath had gone. And so to Meaford, by now a sweltering hot day. The power station was already closed when last I passed. Now it has all gone and the site has become overgrown. Why not build a new village there? The top lock was being painted as we arrived and the painters very kindly operated it for us. We left with their warning that the others would still have wet paint. Have you ever tried to operate a flight of locks when EVERY part except the metal handle on top of the beams is freshly painted? Believe me it is not easy! I have a pair of dark blue trousers with a white stripe across the backside to prove it! Just as we approached the Stone top lock there was Mike Skyner waving to us from his boat. He came over at the lock and we made arrangements to visit once we had moored up. I know some readers do not like washers but I tell you, put away your prejudices; this boat is a real beauty. Mike has framed it out and installed the insulation. He is working on the boatman's cabin. The quality of his joinery is superb. Considering that all I have seen will be covered by lining and furnishings - perhaps you should use transparent linings Mike! And then there is the engine, this Kelvin monster, installed after a 2 1/2 year rebuild. It looks absolutely brilliant in its green paint and polished pipes. Mike hopes to have the Boatman's cabin completed for the GIG and I have no doubt we will all want to see it. The Star provided our sustenance and very good it was too. I took a walk around the town and what an improvement there has been since we were last there. On returning I went back to the Star for a last pint. After waiting for service with about 20 others for about 10 minutes they declared that they had run out of glasses. I retired hurt. We were moored under garlands of coloured lights which was rather nice. No sooner was I inside than the heavens opened and the hordes outside the pub disappeared like magic. Look out for episode three when I own up to my brother's misdemeanours in Rugeley! Tim Boddington 'The Macclesfield Canal - 1998/9 Guide' Now published at UKP1.95 or UKP2.50 post paid in UK 'Preparing for BS 7799 Certification' Now published by BSI DISC at UKP27.50