Boothstown Marina and the New RHS Garden

 Tuesday 3rd May 2022 in Boothstown Marina.

Opposite our mooring there is tree with a nesting box and we watched a pair of Great Tits flying in and out. As both parents were off hunting, we presume that their brood has hatched but we couldn't hear them.

As sad sight on the way into Sale, the handsome but derelict 1897 Linotype building. A whole thriving industry overtaken by technology.

Considerable redevelopment has taken place along the canal as typified by these two huge and very striking apartment blocks.

The canal through Sale runs in a dead straight line for over two miles and the Tramway from Altrincham to Piccadilly runs alongside it.

The straight canal was ideal for rowers and we met several as we passed through. The canal is only just wide enough for the rowers to pass us.

This is "Waters Meeting" where we joined the original "Duke of Bridgewater" canal, opened in 1765. Our route this time will take us straight ahead towards Worsley and the Duke's coal mines.

To the left, the original canal goes into Manchester to join the Rochdale and Ashton canals. Less than one mile along there is Trafford Park stadium, home to Manchester United FC.

This is the Barton Swing Aqueduct which replaced Brindley's original aqueduct over, what is now, the Manchester Ship Canal. However, it doesn't look as if it has been opened since we were here seven years ago!

The view to the south along the Manchester Ship Canal.

You don't expect to see a lighthouse on a canal! It was built by "Barnacle" Phil Austin and took him five years to complete. It is 14ft wide, 40ft high and does have a light on top, which is illuminated on special occasions. Not sure if it will save many narrowboats from running on to the imaginary rocks!

Worsley, the site of the Duke of Bridgewater's mines (to the right) and the beginning of the original canal which resulted in "canal mania" as everyone tried to cash in on his hugely successful idea.

We arrived at Boothstown Marina to a warm welcome. We moored up briefly at the entrance as they made room for us, then R had to spin MM round almost in her own length in order to back into our allotted space. In order to start MM turning, R pushed the bow right out. Speculation (hope) was that he might fall in, but he managed to cling on! He was laughing as he did it, so clearly had no intention of falling in!

Luckily there was no wind, so MM went into her berth without touching the sides, while Dave and Les from the marina grabbed her ropes and helped her in.

We had passed a large new development just before the marina and assumed it was just a garden centre but it turned out to be the new northern RHS garden. M knew all about it, but hadn't realised it was right here. And it was just a 10 minute walk away, so we walked there along the towpath.

Work on the garden and centre only started seven years ago but it has been a roaring success. Visitor numbers have been eight times higher than predicted, as evidenced by a packed car park.

As ever, we started with coffee, "ginger" tea and cupcakes in the excellent cafe. We will certainly spend a full day here on our way back in the summer and, looking at the fare on offer, M has decided that we will definitely have lunch here!

The RHS Garden is built on the grounds of Worsley New Hall, built by the descendants of the Duke of Bridgewater. Sadly, the magnificent house was demolished in 1949 but the walled garden and cottages remained, although in very poor condition.

This is "Garden Cottage", which was originally the home of the Head Gardener. Quite something!

There is a lovely towpath on both sides of the canal with access to the RHS Garden from the north side.

On our way to the garden, we met a gentleman exercising his dog, or should we say, watching his dog exercise! As we arrived at the garden some ten minutes later, we could still hear the dog trying to pull down the tree!

And so back to MM in her berth. Tomorrow, we will go home for a few days so watch this space - "Back Soon"!

Today: 14 miles, 0 locks and 4.5 hours.

Trip: 80 miles, 55 locks and 40.9 hours.