Bugsworth Basin to New Mills.

Last evening the last of the days sunshine shone beautifully on the hilltops.

We travelled 2.3 miles, worked 1 swing bridge in a time of 1 hour 20 minutes.

Hooray, Hooray after a good nights sleep, today was the day to move having successfully installed our new battery monitor and cables.

We woke to rain falling heavily on the roof of the boat, the sound was most welcome. Despite the rain we were still going to move, because our ticket was running out and we wanted to go, we both had the need to get underway.

After breakfast, we put on our wet weather gear and I manged to tweak my back grrrrr putting on my waterproof trousers, great that was all I needed. We moved the boat to the upper basin where we winded.

Having winded we moored up at the sanitary station to fill up the water tank. I did everything gingerly, because my back was feeling none to happy, but no matter what we were off, saying "Goodbye" to Bugsworth Basin for this trip, but we will return.

The sun was shining across the valley as we approached New Mills, after a quiet cruise with no one else on the move.

Before us stood the Swizzlers Matlow factory, with the smell of sweets such as 'Parma Violets', 'Refresher' chews, 'Drumstick' lollies and  of course my favourites Love Hearts. Just after passing the factory we moored up at 11.20am.

After lunch we walked into New Mills a town we had not visited before. The town actually stands above the Torrs a 70 feet (21 m) deep gorge, cut through Woodhead Hill Sandstone.

From the main road bridge over the River Goyt, you can see down into the valley and the mills which still remain there. We walked up through the town up to the Heritage and Information Centre, where we had a look around the exhibition, which tells of the heritage.

There is also a very good model of the town in the early years with all its mills and railway.

New Mills was first noted for coal mining, and then for cotton spinning and then bleaching and calico printing.

From the footpath you can see Torr Vale Mill, which finally closed its doors in 2000, after being in operation for 200 years. The mill is a grade 2 listed building and was a cotton mill. The mill was built in the late 1780s, by Daniel Strafford and was known locally as Stratford's mill. It was powered by two waterwheels to spin and weave cotton. The mill was rebuilt in 1856 and a steam engine was added. It was sad to see it so neglected and one can but hope that because it is on the English Heritage 'Buildings at Risk Register' of Listed Buildings at risk through disuse and disrepair something will be done to save this once fine mill.

We carried on with our walk down to Torr Mill and the river, alongside the river and the mill is a fantastic rock face, which is used for rock climbing.

Torr Mill was built around 1790 by the Schofield family. The mill remained in the family throughout its life. Both the mills at this site were served by the River Goyt and the River Sett. Enough power was created by the water to keep them both running.

In 1838 there was a fire, but the mill was rebuilt in order to keep the locals in work. But sadly in 1912 the mill suffered from a second fire which completely destroyed the whole mill.

In March 2008 a hydro scheme started. The Archimedes' screw was put in place to generate electricity for the community. Torrs Hydro also helps the local community in other ways because profits from selling the electricity are put back into the community, helping with education etc. We both really enjoyed our visit, there was such a lot to see and learn about.

Three climbers were making the most of the free climbing at New Mills Torr, the young man already on the rock was climbing an E4 he told Keith. The rock is made up of some incredible colours, which many of the cottages in the town are made of.

After watching the guys climbing we walked over the spectacular Millennium Walkway which was opened in 1999, joining the two ends of the gorge. It really is stunning and takes you around the the side of the Torr Vale Mill.

Having really enjoyed our visit, we walked back up the very steep hill back to the Heritage Centre, where we had a coffee.

We then walked back through the town looking at the shops on the other side of the road.

Whilst walking past a newspaper shop, I spotted this advert. It made me laugh, clearly someone is hoping above hope.

Back on the boat, we are now going to enjoy a quiet evening in front of the TV. My back is not quite so angry having enjoyed the walk, but I just hope it does not stiffen up over night.

Chat soon.