https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/ October 08 Preparation for our new stove. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203805 15203805 The guy who installed our new stove and made a really great job of it. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203806 15203806 The tiles are on, just waiting for the grout now. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203793 15203793 Richard just putting the finishing touches in. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203807 15203807 The first lighting of our new stove. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203794 15203794 This is where we lived whilst in Huddersfield for two weeks. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203808 15203808 Some of the great people who live in Aspley Marina - they were all very kind and made us very welcome to their community. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203810 15203810 Richard showing me how to raise this extremely complicated looking bridge! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203809 15203809 Lady Arwen heading for the Locomotive Bridge. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203796 15203796 The relatives and friends who came to wave us off from Aspley Marina. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203811 15203811 The Huddersfield Broad Canal has much wider but shorter locks therefore two boats can lock at the same time. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203797 15203797 This is the huge log that our propellor embedded itself in - thank heavens Richard came along when he did! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203798 15203798 Yet another kind of lock which has to be worked using a "Chav Basher" to wind up the paddles. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15203795 15203795 The boys chatting at the guillotine lock https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15285523 15285523 Lady Arwen and Dorothy May cuddled up together in the lock! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15285524 15285524 Joan is the lovely lady from Dorothy May - it was great to have her company whilst we were doing the locks. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15285525 15285525 Lady Arwen coming through into the lock. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15285516 15285516 Barry the BW man operated this contraption - evidently part of the mechanism isn't working and therefore it can only be operated by BW at the moment. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15285526 15285526 It was great to have Thelma assisting with the locks - I wonder if she will be aching tomorrow! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15285517 15285517 We came upon this amazing edifice as we left Todmorden! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15515121 15515121 Gothically inspired cast iron bridge crosses the canal at the Gauxholme Locks. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15515122 15515122 We never saw what was under the water! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668177 15668177 Its quite amazing some of the things you come across travelling along the canal! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668173 15668173 There is some really wonderful art on display along the canal, mainly sculpture but this mural was fantastic. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668174 15668174 This was quite a scenic part of the slog up to the summit. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668175 15668175 There are many old lockkeepers cottages along the canal but this one was really pretty. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668176 15668176 We finally made it to the summit of the Rochdale Canal - its all downhill from here! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668182 15668182 Karl was our guardian angel on the trip down through "Bandit Country" he also helped with all the locks too! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668179 15668179 We finally made it down to Manchester and moored up after a gruelling day. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668180 15668180 Here we are moored up in Piccadilly Basin - not quite like our usual moorings, but its pleasant nonetheless. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15668201 15668201 Very strange locks, the high rise buildings have been constructed over the canal - weird! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15857561 15857561 This really was quite bizarre - it didn't help that the lock was flooding and there was nowhere for Clive to moor, however a nice gentlemen helped me open the gates! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15857562 15857562 The MSC runs alongside here and is an impressive site https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15881971 15881971 Approaching the famous stadium. Another boat has appeared in the distance - the first sign off life for ages... https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15882941 15882941 Typical outlook from the Bridgewater - very different from the Rochdale! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15882942 15882942 In the middle of "The Gay Village" https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15884066 15884066 Looking back at Canal St area https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15885103 15885103 The new bridge at Castlefield https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15885105 15885105 Lovely canal https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15886986 15886986 Fishermen in a competition lining the bank https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15886987 15886987 Pretty. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15886988 15886988 Famous piece of engineering to lift boats down to the River Weaver https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15889130 15889130 Narrowboat graveyard! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15889131 15889131 Stocking up the woodpile https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15889132 15889132 Lovely open Cheshire countryside seen on this canal https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15959780 15959780 View from our overnight mooring on 21st on the way to Nantwich https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=15959801 15959801 A boat being lowered in to the Middlewich canal next to the new Marina site https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16012167 16012167 Remembered from our 2005 (and first) trip, this wonderful, deep and easy to use lock is a bit spoilt by the towpath repairs https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16012186 16012186 This new Marina (one of many new sites) opens early 2009 https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16012187 16012187 Here the Middlewich comes across the Shropshire - Birmingham left, Chester right. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16012168 16012168 The first of a series of sculptures heading south from Nantwich basin to commemorate the restoration of the canal https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16012188 16012188 The key to the Sculpture series down the towpath from here https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16014655 16014655 We met on our first day at infants school - aged 5! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16098693 16098693 Poor Heather - she's had that pot on for 5 weeks and no sign of it coming off for some time! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16098694 16098694 The view from our overnight mooring at the bottom of the Audlum Flight. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16098695 16098695 We almost missed this one! As it is I just managed to snap a picture, but its a bit small! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16100927 16100927 Unfortunately trying to capture the rolling fields and glorious scenery in one little picture just doesn't do it justice! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16100928 16100928 All of a sudden the rain turned to huge snowflakes - its winter already! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16388894 16388894 After only about an hour it had turned into a winter wonderland! You have to admit its pretty, but cold and slippy!! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16388895 16388895 The snow had almost gone by the time we moored up, it had rained a bit. But there is still some on the ground in the shadows. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=16388918 16388918