Two weeks to the off now, and here's the route we're planning. It's a combination of the Four Counties Ring and the Cheshire Ring. Each ring can be done in a week but is better with slightly longer, and we've got three weeks. So I've added a couple of side trips along the way.From Norbury Junction, we'll head south to Autherley Junction, where we'll turn left onto the Staffs and Worcs. At Great Haywood we'll go north on the Trent and Mersey to Stoke, where we'll make a detour down the Caldon. Then it's on to the end of the T&M where it joins the Bridgewater, which will take us into Manchester. We'll keep on the ring, using the Rochdale and Ashton Canals, before turning onto the Peak Forest. We'll go right to the end, at Bugsworth Basin. Then it's back to Marple Junction, and the Macclesfield Canal. At the southern end of the Macc (assuming the Shebdon breach is fixed by then), we'll make a second decent of the Cheshire Locks, before turning onto the Middlewich Arm, and taking the Shroppie back to Norbury Junction. If the Shroppie is still closed, we'll have to take the southerly route instead.
All that adds up to 255 miles and 215 locks, which should make for an energetic but not overly stressed three weeks.
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5 comments:
A splendid route -lots of my favourite canals. I'm envious. I love that bit of the T&M. Allow time for slow progress on the Macclesfield as it's very shallow at the southern end.
I imagine you'll be pretty tired by the end!
I'm hoping I won't be as tired as usual! I usually sleep much better on the boat, partly because there are no shift patterns playing havoc with the body clock!
Looks like our paths might cross at some stage - so look out for Epiphany. Hope all goes well.
I wouldn't hold my breath about the Shroppie being open in time :-(
Adam, it sounds exhausting to us "arnco crawlers", we spent over 2 weeks on the Caldon alone. More importantly you're coming our way. Look out for Caxton & Matilda Rose
Have fun, Adam! Looks like a fantastic route.
Amy, NB Lucky Duck
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