Day 40 – Bugsworth to Macclesfield (via Whaley Bridge)

A early rise meant that Bernard could dismantle part of the engine to more fully check the diesel leak and, with assistance from Michael O’Hagan, pump the contaminated oil into a suitable container. Whilst nothing conclusive was found, a couple of loose unions in the lubricating oil system were tightened. After filling up with new oil the engine was run whilst Bernard investigated further. It seems likely that the diesel is actually coming from the injector feed pipe on one cylinders but we have no information about this part of the engine so it will need professional attention.

We set off and soon returned to the junction of the canal and turned towards Whaley Bridge where there is a well restored canal warehouse with a central loading bay for canal boats inside the building. Turning and retracing our steps we arrived back in Marple where we headed towards Macclesfield. We passed through the fine turn-over bridge at the junction and met a boat that we had last seen at Frankton locks on the Montgomery canal.

Our mooring in Macclesfield

From our high vantage point the sunny day enabled us to see across the countryside to Manchester. We eventually reached Macclesfield having passed more boats on the move today than we saw in all the time we were in south Yorkshire. Here we said goodbye to Mark Place and Michael O’Hagan who were then ferried back home by Michael’s father.

Menu: cooked breakfasts or breakfast sandwiches; cold gammon salad; steak.

Tags: macclesfield, peak forest