It couldn't get any worse.

I took Buster for his walk this morning as I do every morning, this morning we found a good park dog walker’s seem to use, it was called Brabyns Park. It is sign posted between locks 1 and 2 on the Marple flight. 

Buster had a good run and met some doggie friends, it helped to tire him out for at least an hour.

We set off for the flight of sixteen at 09:20 and the first few locks were going well. 

Then after lock 3 I think it was 3, the pound was low and we couldn't exit the lock, no problem I’ll let some water in from the lock above, great. The next two pounds were even worse. I had to go to the last lock of 16 and bring two locks full's of water with me, ‘The buckets where huge’ another boat had joined Corinne from behind as I was working my way back down, the help was appreciated but I was shattered by then, it had almost taken an hour and poor Corinne was stuck half in and half out the lock that long. Oh and it had started raining. 

We eventually left lock 16 and required the services, only problem is you need to enter the Macclesfield canal (turn right), we are going (left) down the Peak Forest to Bugsworth. I decided to back down to the services, about 50 yards so we could go forward onto the Peak Forest when we had filled up with water again. We had read somewhere that the water tap at Bugsworth wasn't working. The Elsan also desperately needed emptying and the two bags of rubbish. It was still raining.

We finally got moored up at the first available spot, I refused to go any further. four hour maximum is my preferred travel time, today has been six and it should easily have been done in four.

15:00 pm tired, wet, cold and pissed off, I needed a nap.

Buster was up and about at six again for his walk, does nothing tire him out?

Thank God, ordeal over.

We woke around 8:30 when Buster jumped into bed for a warm he was late today maybe yesterday wore him out too. We finally got up around 09:00 which isn't like us, I took Buster for his walk while his mum made breakfast. Late morning and out with Buster again and a trip to the Local ASDA for a few bits and pieces. 

Just as we were about to leave a passer by told us of a terrapin sunning itself just past the lift bridge on some weed (not the smoking kind), he was right, sure enough there was a terrapin making the most of the sun, the photos I took are as good as I could get with my phone.

We finally cast off about 13:30 and safe to say we travelled further than we had planned, this is because mooring spots are few and far between, unless its just us being picky. Two tunnels down, Woodley and Hyde and we had to stop before the Marple lock flight no matter what, we ended up just short of the aqueduct.

Buster was eager for a walk so we locked up the boat and set off walking towards tomorrows trial ahead, the locks. There are two boats ahead of us possibly psyching themselves up ready for the 16 locks as well.

Our evening walk turned into a trial of its own, we managed to get lost and it took ages for us to find our way back. Sorry Buster but that walk included your bedtime walk.

Railway viaduct next to the aqueduct.

Back on the boat now feet up with a cool drink, Lovely.

(Note to self) We have decided after yesterday, it will be a very long time before anything can drag us back to Manchester and the Rochdale 9 and Ashton canal.