Marple to Bugsworth Basin

Bit of a boo-boo on the way up – I got on the wrong train at Euston and ended up in Stafford instead of Stoke, so Patrick had to pick me up from there. Luckily it wasn’t too inconvenient - Stafford is only about 15 miles from Stoke, and there were traffic problems on the motorway anyway! Still a bit scary when I realised I was on the wrong train – the guard only announced the stops as the train was pulling away.
Spent the night at Patrick’s parents in Marple – a very erudite evening with beer, whisky and cream cakes – then off to Ripple’s moorings in the morning, Ripple had collected a number of autumn leaves so Patrick had to sweep them off before the acid from the rotting leaves attacked the paintwork. The BMC engine seemed a bit reluctant at first,, emitting black clouds and stalling once, but soon seemed happier once we were underway.
The Peak Forest Canal was particularly beautiful with the autumn leaves all shades from gold to deep rust. Not so good for steering the narrowboat though, as the fallen leaves in the water kept sticking to the propeller. We kept having to pt the boat briefly into reverse to clear the propeller again – but sometimes this was awkward, especially when trying to steer round bends where other boats were moored. Somehow all the other boats seemed to have picked really awkward places to moor up as well!
We stopped at the Dog and Partridge just outside Whaley Bridge for some excellent beer (I had Coach House Navvy mild) and a lovely meal (I had sausage filled Yorkshire Pud) then up to Whaley Bridge basin. Then back down the canal and up to Bugsworth Basin, where we met Patrick’s parents again. By sheer good fortune there was also a firework display in the evening from the local pub, the Navigation, and we happened to moor at the best spot to see all the fireworks! The four of us really enjoyed watching the display from Ripple’s back deck, with the fireworks reflecting in the water. Then it was off to the pub for another meal and some more beer!
Next morning we had a brief wander around the basin, which is a scheduled ancient monument, with some very interesting industrial archaeology. It was a leisurely cruise back down the Peak Forest and Trent and Mersey Canals to Ripple’s home moorings, and we arrived just as the sun was setting. Shame to leave!