Rode Heath

Wednesday 25 June 2014 – Rode Heath, Trent and Mersey Canal

An interesting and busy day, I started by getting fuel, oil change and a pump-out at Black Prince Boats at Etruria which meant I started out at 10:30.  The run to Harecastle Tunnel was uneventful and a group of six boats were just about to be set off but I wanted to fill the water tank so chose to wait for the next packet.  The weather was warm and sunny so an easy wait getting the boat ready to go – lights on, cratch cover rolled up and all large items off the roof. 

Once all that was done it was settle down to wait and chat to the people on the boat behind, then a boat came past which we thought was going to the waterpoint but no, they thought they would just go into the tunnel!  The fact of a queue of four boats didn’t register until they were told it was a controlled passage.  Just before we were to be sent off a C&RT group of safety managers arrived asking if we’d mind them travelling through with us.  Something to do with getting boaters views as well as the actual travel.  Once they were sorted on different boats we left (two minutes between each boat).  Even though it was warm and sunny it was cold and wet inside the tunnel but no heavy showers like you get when the ground is soaked (hint for others – dress appropriately!).

Once through it was down the series of locks known as Heartbreak Hill (13 locks in 2 miles).  Most of the locks are paired so which made it fairly easy and I have moored up just before lock 54.  At one stage I was told that the crew of the boat following me couldn’t keep up!!

Tomorrow I will meet up with Graham and Beryl on Priscilla ii who have been travelling from Poynton to Congleton Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal then we are off together for a trip to Manchester followed by the Southern Pennine Ring.