Austin Messing About on the River (Well Canal Really)
July 2019 Whaley Bridge
 
Well I’ll try anything once, my brother in law had booked the use of a canal barge for the day and he and his wife had invited my wife and I along, now not being a water person I thought  what could happen on a canal. Midmorning we set off for Whaley Bridge, now I’m sure a lot of readers from West Lancs may be thinking where on earth is Whaley Bridge, it is known as the gateway to the Goyt Valley and boasts a tranquil location at the head of the scenic Peak Forest canal. It is centred around a conservation area and the Grade lI listed Transhipment Warehouse was once the key transfer station for Limestone shipped all across the UK, the town’s aquatic heritage is celebrated each June during what’s known as W3 – The Whaley Water Weekend.
Now this is what you do
Plaque
The Building
Hire a Barge
There she is
The tree-lined towpath lends itself to a leisurely walking and cycling to both Bridgemont and the historic Bugsworth Basin and is also the starting point for long distance routes such as the Goyt Way and Midshires Way.
Have you got it?
Off we go
The Kitchen, has anyone brought food
They don’t look too keen
Too late now
Bugsworth Basin dates back to 1796 and was once one of the largest inland ports ever built on the English Canal network, it has been sensitivity restored as a monument to 18th Century Industrial Enterprise. During its heyday it handled more than 600 tons of limestone a day, it went into decline with the rise of the railways. In Whaley Bridge itself visitors can count on a good choice of small, independent shops selling everything from cycles and special gifts to a fine wines shop, locally produced food is on offer and I found a fabulous small café come cake and pasty shop tucked away opposite the rail station, as you can guess the diet took a nose dive yet again.
Ah a sign post
Jim Hawkins
Cruising along
The Bridge
Having stoked up on a quick cake and a medium coffee (well I’m not greedy) we made our way to where the barge was tied up, already there was my brother in law, his wife and their two friends from South Africa, another chap seemed to be giving instructions to Steve on how to sail the barge, for a moment I thought he can’t  be serious, 10 minutes and it was Cast off me Harty’s on your own!! 
How it works
One of my favourite places
Cruising along again
Isn’t this pleasant
Signs all around
Well we made it out of the docking area, a little bit left and a little bit right and we were off, sailing along on the crest of a wave, well not quite, but I have to say it was so peaceful just chugging along in the fresh air, it was a lovely day, the birds were singing, the views were wonderful all was well with the world, it was then that I spotted a bridge going across the canal and I thought to myself how far away is that because I couldn’t see how we could possibly go underneath it!!  I was right!! What do we do now?
Yet More Signs
I’m keeping out of there
Those pesky Geese are still following me
Go and play
It’s that bridge again
The Captain (Brother in Law) put the brakes on and threw me a key on a big cork ball and said you’ll have to get off and swing it out of the way, I said what the whole bridge !! It crossed my mind that if I fell in, I could use the cork ball to keep me afloat. Anyway I did as was ordered got off the barge crossed the bridge and read the instructions near the key hole, he was right, it just goes to show he must have listened to the 10 minute instructions given before we set off, put the key in and pushed on the rail and to my amazement it started to swing out of the way, just as several bike riders appeared to cross to the other side, not to worry I thought this is the country. The barge set off past the open bridge and as I was now nearly a professional boat person I calmly pushed the bridge back in place and set off to get back on board, only one thing I had left the key in the keyhole, not to worry I soon recovered it and we were on our way.
Look no hands
This way to the Pub
Keep going were getting hungry
Thar she blows
All tied up
How nice it was to be away from traffic, noise and all the hustle and bustle off everyday life, but alas all too soon it was time to start heading back, we came to a turning point, I think the term is basin and after not too much trouble we did a U turn and set off back towards Whaley Bridge, however we came to a point where another canal joined us and the owner of the barge had pointed out that there was a pub not far down that one, well what can you say off we went sharp left!!   
Shame they had no food
Crisps please
Still it was Nice inside
We passed under a sign which said Bugsworth Canal Basin at least I knew where I was heading, before we arrived there we had to negotiate two obstacles a very tight tunnel and two built up concrete canal sides, we all breathed in and squeezed through ahh we made it, on arriving at this historic basin a great looking pub could be seen on the left up a long flight of stairs, “The Navigation” as it was out here in the country in the middle of nowhere I guessed it was probably well used in the heyday of the canal networks and shipping the many tons of Limestone from the area. 
More Signs on the Quayside
By now after all our travels (which seemed like miles) we were all ready for a drink or two and a good feast, on approaching the pub it looked great, very smart, complete with tables and chairs outside, in we went and right away I thought oh oh, no nice smell of food cooking, I was right, after all our adventures on the high seas the bar tender told us they didn’t serve food until after six, !! What a feast we had, six bags of mixed crisps, two packs of peanuts, one pork scratching and drinks to match, I’m afraid there were no sweets to be had, well you can’t win em all.
J159.    Post for the Jib Crane
Whaley Bridge
We made our way back to the barge which was tied up in the basin and set off to get back to the starting point at Whaley Bridge, now as I have said before Linda and I don’t usually do water and this trip was something we would never have ever thought of doing, if you would like to get away from it all why not give it a try and hire yourselves a barge out in the country for a few hours, only one thing to remember take a picnic basket with you, there are some pictures of our journey but really they don’t do the experience justice it was great, thanks to Steve and his wife for a great day out, here’s to the next adventure.
I think the Geese followed me from Windermere.
Whaley 11, Made it back
Hope there’s not a big fire!
Whaley Bridge Station
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher, PGStwd.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood No 1173