A lovely break now moving on.

On Sunday a boat that was moored on the opposite side of the lower basin at Buxworth moved off an we reversed down the arm into the space they had vacated. right at the end of the arm with a large grassy area beside it, ideal for a family picnic.

I really like it here, it's a smashing spot to moor, a lot of local boats seem to come here for the weekend. We didn't do a lot on Sunday but were really lucky because Ann Marie aboard working boat Alton came down to the basin so we were able to stock up with diesel, gas and also a bag of coal. Well, this summer we might need it!

Monday was shopping day in anticipation of our family picnic on Tuesday, then we treated ourselves to a meal at the Navigation Inn in the evening.

Tuesday was the invasion for the family picnic, I felt a bit as if I spent all morning preparing food but it was worth it. Everybody enjoyed themselves and it was great to have everyone together again for the first time since Ray's 65th. The weather has been so kind to us these past few days and yesterday it was glorious for us!

The Jordan/Jones/ Hobbins picnic

After everyone had left Ray sorted out our new weather station which has an anemometer, rainfall gauge and thermometer as well as a barometer. We had had it delivered to Mandy and she brought it with her. Very nice, we now know wind speed, rainfall, temperature and humidity indoors and outside, and barometric pressure.

This morning it was time to move on, after topping up our water and disposing of the debris from yesterday we retraced our route to Marple before turning onto the Macclesfield Canal. Chris and Almyne had moved on so no cuppa stop today.

Our journey today went a long way to proving the boater's theory that you can travel miles and always meet boats at bridge holes, narrows and junctions, not at places where it is easy to pass. Today we met eleven boats coming in the opposite direction. Five at bridge holes, four at narrows and only two which we could pass easily. The only surprise was that we didn't meet anyone at the junction at Whaley Bridge or the junction at Marple.

After we moored this afternoon we met the lady who runs the riding stable just a short walk from the canal and she fell in love with Thunder! So now another of my babies has left home, just Storm left now.

Today's journey 9 miles, 2 swing bridges and 2 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 490.2 miles, 382 locks, 47 swing bridges, 7 lift bridges and 18 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1671.9 miles 1468 locks, 103 swing bridges, 45 lift bridges and 58 tunnels