Macclesfield Canal:Bridge 63

An hours run to the tunnel and expecting a queue there.  Just after leaving Etruria moorings we noticed a new leisure complex under construction with colourful water slides evident on the side.  The bit of canal around the old Shelton Steelworks is deep due I guess to subsidence and the boat certainly runs well in deep water.   So many changes every time we come this way.  Some of the old potteries have just disappeared under new housing, others still derelict and only Middleport in the original buildings looks to be still working, although I am sure that I will be corrected in that.   Moorings at Westport Lake were full.  By now it was 8:00am, so probably still asleep.  There was a queue at the tunnel.  Just 3 boats and we didn’t have to wait long.  The tunnel-keeper came and made his inspection (lights and horn), did his recitation, gave us a leaflet and told us to close the fire down and then we were off.   All routine and no surprises.  It is always difficult I find, to judge the distance behind the boat in front and I was holding back initially, but then saw fit to increase power to the top of my normal cruising range, then appeared to be catching up, but then it took ages for us to reach the entrance after the boat in front had left.  40 minutes the run!  On to the Macclesfield.   Slow progress at times as the canal is said to be shallow.  Lots of cuttings (no view) and lots of embankments (amazing views).  We stopped briefly at Congleton by the station looking for the alleged shops (Nicholson’s Guide), but found none of any substance.  There is a Spar a short way from bridge 77 I gather.   Then our planned overnight stopping place, a mile or son from the bottom of Bosley Locks, our sport for tomorrow.