The Rochdale Nine
We left the mooring opposite the Etihad around 9.00 to make our way down the last 5 locks on the Ashton canal. We moored up in Piccadilly village for a brief sojourn to the local Morrisons, and coffee and a cake at Nero's.
At Ducie Street Junction we joined the Rochdale canal - and began the infamous 'Rochdale 9' !! Rog was put to work on these today, because they're renowned to be stiff, heavy, and very deep. To say nothing about the number of onlookers, who were in fact more interested in their next fix!! The first 2 locks are under several main roads, and very creepy. I was not impressed!! In places, modern development has taken over the land that used to be the towpath. So the poor lockie had to divert on several occasions to find me and Chatsworth!! There were a couple of 'ne'er do wells' who surprisingly were very concerned about 4 baby ducklings who got stuck in the lock!! I was at the helm still, and didn't crush them!!!
The last lock on the Rochdale canal was being used for a wedding shoot - the poor girl must have been perished! Rog kept smiling- he's sure he'll be in there somewhere. Finally arrived at Castlefield Junction - and the start of the Bridgewater canal. A decent visitor mooring on the Staffordshire arm, now we're off for a meal.
