After what seemed to be weeks of wild weather through a wet, windy and unpleasant January, February started with a bright spell. The forecast was promising, and on the day a cold, clear blue sky promised my favourite sort of winter day. I had plans to make a longer trip in my outlander, and so was soon on the road over the Pennines to Buxworth Basin, where one arm of the Peak Forest canal starts. This is an interesting place, once one of the largest ports on the canal network, an interchange between a tramway from quarries at Dove Holes and barges that would carry limestone and lime to the industrial centres of the North-West. It has been extensively renovated, and the remains of the tramway, wharfs and lime kilns can be explored on foot and on the water. I put in to the canal basin by mid-morning, the sheltered waters still iced over after a sub-zero night. A group of school children were making slow progress in rafted canoes, enjoying breaking the ice with their paddles. Continue Reading
The Mega’s maiden voyage – Chesterfield Canal
Having spent a few days getting my new (to me) Mega Outlander 16 kitted out to my satisfaction, I then had a frustrating wait for some decent weather to coincide with some free time. At last, towards the end of January, I had a few hours spare on a day when it wasn't actually raining, and decided to take the canoe for its first trip. I chose a pleasant stretch of the Chesterfield Canal, from Kiveton Park to Thorpe Triple locks and back - just a gentle stretch of easy water, but one of my favourite short local trips. This boat is so much lighter than my others, so I didn't bother taking the trolley for the portage, and was soon setting up on the towpath. There was frost in the shadows still, but a winter sun was trying its best to give some warmth to the afternoon. Past Albert's Dock, a narrow boat was shut up for the winter. Sheltered from a moderate wind, I enjoyed the reflections as I passed by. The wind was mostly behind me on my journey out, but in places the canal Continue Reading