Tuesday 23rd June
6 miles and Harecastle tunnel
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| Westport Lake |
Not a bad day, tidied boat, got diesel at marina before heading off up the Trent and Mersey towards the dreaded Harecastle tunnel. The cruise was quite interesting lots of bottle kilns and old pottery sites along the canal. Also passed Westport lake a beautiful lake with a visitor centre and a lot of birds.
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| Approaching Harecastle Tunnel |
Arrived at the tunnel entrance in sunshine - we had an hour wait. Took the opportunity to fill up with water - well started anyway the tank was so empty.
Soon preparing for the trip through the tunnel, ie everything off the roof, waterproofs and headtorches at the ready, tunnel keeper checked boat lights and horn. We were off second in the queue.
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| Waiting for our slot |
The tunnel is almost 3000 yards long and can be as low as 5 foot 9 inches in places and took 45 minutes to get through. It is one way hence the need to wait and manned at both ends. The longest canal tunnel in the country. I must admit it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, I kept an eye on Paul to make sure he stayed on the back of the boat!
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| Looking back to the North portal |
After the tunnel we turned off the Trent and Mersey onto the Macclesfield quickly crossing an aqueduct that crosses the Trent and Mersey. Moored here. After a late lunch walked to Tesco and Paul went to the Red Bull CRT office to stock up on pump out cards.
Went for a drink in the Red Bull before dinner. England won the T20 vs NZ! As the guide book says the water is a very different colour here - orange - due to iron in the mines seeping into the canal.
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