Macclesfield Canal:Bosley Bottom Lock

Another warm and sunny day, though for most of the cruise today shaded by many trees and with a good breeze building up it was really very pleasant.  Left an hour later this morning, not wanting to get to Congleton too early, although as the initial progress turned out rather slow due to moored boats scattered about, it might not have been right move.  As it turned out I arrived at Congleton in reasonable time.  The canal passes through the foot of the Pennines and as such the views are gorgeous.  There are many bridges all of a consistent design built in local stone, so although the bridge holes are narrow one can have reasonable confidence in getting a clear passage even though the offside is often totally obscured at water level by vegetation.  I moored up at Congleton to find the Convenience store mentioned in my Nicholson’s guide book.  I had researched it on Google maps because there is a road bridge, a railway bridge both over the canal at more or less the same place, the road on top.  There is a set of steps near the first bridge up to the Queen’s Head pub, cross the car park to get to the road.  The store is not at all obvious from the road as it is situated up a side street a few yards and not visible from the main road.   It had what I needed.   Continuing on, the railway is crossed two more times before reaching the locks.   In the strong sunshine I have observed some fascinating optical illusions with the sun directly behind causing reflections of bridges in the distance giving the impression of a wall across the canal.   Today, once moored, I had promised myself I would bake a Genoa Cake, having quietly acquired the necessary ingredients over the last few days.  In spite of the fact that the gas oven is only controllable using an oven thermometer needing ‘manual’ adjustments and I forgot to set the timer and left the cake in the oven possibly too long, it actually turned out fantastic.  Very pleased.  Put the fan up again, only the third I’ve this cruise and was getting some useful amps.  Needed as the fridge is struggling in the heat and I think the batteries are going to be punished by the morning.