To the tunnel and beyond

South entrance to Harecastle Tunnel

Got up fairly early this morning, had a chat with the friendly tunnel keeper and made ready to go through the Harecastle Tunnel. Just as we were about ready he got a call from the north end to say they had a boat ready to come through, I said to let them go first. As there is one-way traffic on this tunnel it meant a delay of about 40 minutes for them to clear the tunnel. By the time they were through another boat had joined us and as they had been through before we let them be the lead boat. Unlike the other tunnels we have been through this one doesn't have any ventilation shafts so at the south end there are doors which they close behind you, then they turn on massive fans which force fresh air through the tunnel to stop you choking on your exhaust fumes. I always like to look back as well as forwards in tunnels to judge how far through we are but that doesn't work on this one. At least it doesn't drip as much as some tunnels, but it does get very low in places. The chains hanging down in the photo above show the curve and height of the tunnel.

The view along the top of Morgana, this isn't the lowest bit

Is it a surprise that I don't like tunnels?

Looking back as the next boats enter

The colour of the water isn't mud it is the iron from the rocks. After the tunnel we soon left the Trent and Mersey Canal for the Macclesfield. An interesting junction where you leave the canal to the left, run parallel to the T&M which goes down through a couple of locks, then you turn right on to an aqueduct to cross the T&M, which is now several feet below you. Why they couldn't just have a right turn is beyond me!

The Macclesfield has some nice views across the Cheshire countryside. We passed Ramsdell Hall, which has lovely views across the valley.

                                       

                                                           

Pity about the uncouth bargees spoiling the view! The canal runs between the hall and the valley.

We stopped for the night at Congleton, tomorrow we have about four miles to the bottom of Bosley Flight which raises us 118 feet through 12 locks. That should keep me busy!

Today's journey 7.6 miles, 1 lock and 1 tunnel.

So far we have travelled 221.4 miles, 194 locks, 5 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 4 tunnels.