Castlefield to New Islington Marina.

We made an early start up the remainder of the “Rochdale Nine” through the heart of Manchester.

We met Mark from the Canal & River Trust, who had coordinated with us over the event, he had come to retrieve the banners we had hanging on Hadar’s hold for the event. He warned us that the pounds would be a bit low further up as a boater had left paddles open, and some of his team were sending water down the locks to get 4 other boats up the Rochdale 19.

We passed the junction with the Ashton Canal and Piccadilly Basin.

We continued up the Rochdale canal and at Brownsfield Lock the rubbish bit back as we came out of the lock. Hadar's engine almost stalled as we picked up something quite substantial on the prop. We pulled alongside a Canal and River Trust motor and hopper, Jo tied off the centre line and I went to work down the weed hatch. I spent half an hour cutting off a quilted jacket which doubles as a heavy woollen cardigan, along with plastic bags and string.

We cruised alongside Redhill Street, the pound was very shallow as warned by Mark and we hit numerous things in the water. We turned right into the very new “New Islington Marina”.

At 10.45am we were then stuck fast in the marina entrance and going nowhere. Jo got on the phone to Mark and he sent out a couple of his guys to send some water down to get us moving again.

We were actually stuck on where the stop planks cross the marina entrance. Because we were going nowhere, Jo made coffee and got the biscuit box out.

At 11.45am, after some water was sent down, we were finally able to move into the marina, where we found our booked mooring with electric and water, and were made most welcome by Ben who runs the park and marina.

Keith.