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Canalside Way, MIDDLEWICH, CW10 9RH

The housing estate backs onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The houses are on the northern edge of Middlewich. Image, for the previous milepost. Image, for the next milepost along the canal.

76 miles from Shardlow, this is one of a series of similar mileposts on the canal.

Milemarker by the Trent & Mersey Canal, in parish of Middlewich (Congleton District). Inscription reads:- : SHARDLOW / 76 / MILES : : PRESTON / BROOK / 16 / MILES : Maker:- : R&D / STONE / 1819 : Grade II listed. List Entry Number: 1330029 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1330029 Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: TMC-76

Narrowboat "Beeston Castle" is a 56 foot hire cruiser operated by Claymore Canal Holidays at Preston Brook. Their specifications: Beeston Castle was brought into the fleet in 2006. Slightly longer than the other castle class boats at 56 ft it gives greater flexibility in the accommodation and is fitted with a 220 volt AC mains system with sockets in each cabin, the saloon and galley. Heating is by a gas fired boiler to radiators in each cabin. Seating in the bow can accommodate two in comfort whilst at the stern there is room for two to three people to stand with the steers-person. The for'd cabin can be configured for a double berth or two singles with a similar arrangement for the mid cabin. A toilet, vanity unit and wardrobes separate the cabins. The main bathroom contains toilet, shower and washbasin. In the saloon, a dinette seats six and is converted to a double bed at night. The galley has a four ring gas hob, oven and grill. The mains supplies are used to power a toaster, microwave and the electric fridge. Opposite the sink and drainer are high and low storage cupboards. Steps go up to the stern deck with a small airing cupboard and storage for wet weather gear on either side. There is a TV with DVD player, car radio with CD player and a cigar lighter socket for phone charging. The boat comes equipped with a small hair dryer and all cooking and eating utensils. The engine is a four cylinder water cooled diesel with a hydraulic drive to the propeller controlled by a single lever. Hire costs for 2012 range from £800 to £1283 for a week. Not exactly slumming it, are they? :-)

Pasture behind the trees on the right leads down to the River Dane. Narrowboat "Beeston Castle" approaches from the direction of Northwich. Image]

The River Dane flows through the pasture to the right of the canal. The Trent and Mersey Canal is 93·5 miles in length from Derwent Mouth to Preston Brook. The first cut was made by Josiah Wedgwood in July 1766 at Middleport (Stoke-on-Trent). The eastern section between Derwent Mouth and Shugborough (the junction with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal) was already operational by 1770 and the whole canal through to Preston Brook, where it linked with the Bridgewater Canal was open for business by 1777. James Brindley was the engineer until his death in 1772. There are seventy-six locks en route to raise and lower the water level where hills impede the course. There are four tunnels, including the famous Harecastle Tunnel near Stoke-on-Trent.

The pastures on the right lead down to the River Weaver.