23/03/2010 After adopting this cache in September 2008
when it wasn't in a great condition I have finaly replaced it with
something decent! I have not been the best custodian of it but
better late than never and now it does feel more like one of my
caches. Today I could not find Bargee's original cache and the
hedge had been cut severely so it needed a new hiding place. Its
rather prickly but the view is so good it deserves a cache. Also a
note about parking. The cache page has the original parking
coordinates that bargee provided. There are now signs on this road
saying "cars that obstruct the road may be prosecuted". I still
park here and have not had problems so I am going to keep them on
the page. There is probably a better spot further down Lodge Lane
at the entrance to the wood. There is only room for one car but you
can tuck in nicely.
In some parts of the UK canal network a number of canal’s
can be linked together to make a cruising ring.
These are great ways to have a narrowboat holiday as you never have
to turn round and head back and you see new places everyday. They
are also fabulous places to walk and if you are feeling energetic
you can use them as long distance paths and spend days exploring
them.
The Cheshire Ring is made up of the Trent and Mersey Canal
(Kidsgrove Staffordshire to Preston Brook near Runcorn), the
Bridgewater Canal (Preston Brook to Castlefields Manchester),
Rochdale Canal (Castlefields to Piccadilly basin Manchester city
centre), Ashton Canal (Piccadilly Basin to Portland basin in Ashton
Under Lyne), Peak Forest Canal (Portland basin to Marple near
Stockport) and the Macclesfield Canal. (Marple to Kidsgrove).
It is 97 miles, 93 locks and takes about 55 hours of cruising to
get around. For more information visit:Cheshire Ring
Info )
The canal here is perched 70' up the side of the river Weaver
valley, wich at this point turns west and heads towards the Mersey
estuary, the canal though keeps heading northwest towards Dutton
stop and Preston Brook tunnel.
From the cache site there are extensive views across the valley,
with the Weaver's Dutton Sluices in the foreground and the
magnificent Dutton Viaduct carrying the West Coast Main Line
beyond. You can watch Pendolinos, Voyagers, Desiros and Freight
trains whiz across the landscape.
The Bench is a very recent addition, formed from a fallen tree,
blown down in the february gales, that blocked the canal, its stump
can be seen on the offside bank.