Above, Caxton moored at Bridge 25 Bollington.We left our mooring at Higher Poynton on Saturday morning, reversing back under bridge 15 to the water point and filling the tanks on Caxton and Matilda Rose. As soon as I knew our water supply was going to be topped up the washing machine was loaded and switched on and I showered whilst we filled the tank. Myself and Jill walked along the Middlewood Way, which runs parallel with the canal, emerging at Bridge 25 to look for a suitable mooring just as the bow of Matilda Rose came into sight. Things are a bit shallow in these parts but after a couple of attempts we managed to moor up albeit the boat sterns are not close in.
Sunday morning Jill and I set out to walk the dogs and explore the area around Bollington leaving Joe to clean the rugs in the saloon which were looking decidedly grubby and Graham pootling about doing some paperwork I think.
Above and below, the new Clarence Mill Bridge (26a) now in place. This was being built when we came through a month but the span was fitted over the bank holiday weekend.
Our walk took us along the canal to Beehive bridge (named after a Mill called Beehive that has since been lost) and up a track heading eastwards. Below is a terrace of Mill workers cottage that we passed. The public footpaths are paved with stone and wend their way at the back of the cottages up through the village. These were the paths used by the workers as they made their way to the Mills. There were fifteen Mills here at one time, 1830's onwards. The American Civil War of 1860-1865 put paid to a number because there were no supplies of cotton to be had. The Clarence Mill survived because fortuitously it had just secured two years supply of the raw material for spinning as war broke out.
Below, a view of Clarence Mill from the top of the Kerridge Ridge.
The White Nancy Monument commemorating the Battle of Waterloo and built on top of the Kerridge Ridge overlooking Bollington.
Above, a portion of the steps up to The White Nancy. The thighs were throbbing a bit after this climb I can tell you...
Posh PF's and gates on our route back down.
And as we came off of the Ridge and back into Bollington, low and behold an Ale House....how spooky. The four dogs dragged us in for their ration of pork scratchings while we had to buy a pint to be sociable of course.
Above, more lovely cottages on he High Street and below, a selection of the old shops.
Coming down the village streets towards the valley bottom and the enormous canal embankment brought us back to Clarence Mill and the heritage centre which was doing a brisk trade. It was a short walk then along the towpath back to the boats.
Above and below, the new Clarence Mill Bridge (26a) now in place. This was being built when we came through a month but the span was fitted over the bank holiday weekend.
Our walk took us along the canal to Beehive bridge (named after a Mill called Beehive that has since been lost) and up a track heading eastwards. Below is a terrace of Mill workers cottage that we passed. The public footpaths are paved with stone and wend their way at the back of the cottages up through the village. These were the paths used by the workers as they made their way to the Mills. There were fifteen Mills here at one time, 1830's onwards. The American Civil War of 1860-1865 put paid to a number because there were no supplies of cotton to be had. The Clarence Mill survived because fortuitously it had just secured two years supply of the raw material for spinning as war broke out.
Below, a view of Clarence Mill from the top of the Kerridge Ridge.
The White Nancy Monument commemorating the Battle of Waterloo and built on top of the Kerridge Ridge overlooking Bollington.
Above, a portion of the steps up to The White Nancy. The thighs were throbbing a bit after this climb I can tell you...
Posh PF's and gates on our route back down.
And as we came off of the Ridge and back into Bollington, low and behold an Ale House....how spooky. The four dogs dragged us in for their ration of pork scratchings while we had to buy a pint to be sociable of course.
Above, more lovely cottages on he High Street and below, a selection of the old shops.
Coming down the village streets towards the valley bottom and the enormous canal embankment brought us back to Clarence Mill and the heritage centre which was doing a brisk trade. It was a short walk then along the towpath back to the boats. 
2 comments:
Lovely pictures and a good read. Thanks!
You are too kind Halfie, thank you.
Lesley
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