Whaley Bridge is worth a few hours looking around. Note that the
Goyt Inn which used
to serve Vaux ales now sells standard big brewery beers. A much better place to overnight
as far as we are concerned is the newly restored Bugsworth basin. Sadly,
this wonderful place is closed to boats until at least spring 2002. Head along the arm and
hook a right as you approach the basin. Plenty of private mooring in a most unusual
setting.
The
Navigation here serves excellent food and you can even watch waterway videos. This
GBG listed pub sells Websters, Timothy Taylors Landlord and guest ale. The journey to
Marple locks is slow due to the shallow channel but the views over the Derbyshire peaks
are stunning. The locks are quite heavy and the aqueduct is worth a good look.
The journey to Ashton is much more attractive than we imagined. We moored overnight
(though we didn't leave the boat) in the pretty park by the lift bridge (use your handcuff
key) with a boat owner that liked it so much that had been there three weeks. Most boats
do tend to moor at Portland basin however.
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