bathroom blues



Harecastle Tunnel with Brindley's old tunnel on the left

Orange Water

Paul decided we would need a pump out today as as our toilet system was nearly full. We couldn’t see how to reach the one in Stone as there were loads of boats moored in the way. Paul shrugged and we locked out of the town. We ended up in Stoke having had no trouble at the locks just as the services finished. the guy at the boat yard offered to come over and service the boat at 8.30 so we moored on the service pontoon for the night. Although it was the middle of Stoke we had a peaceful night with no sign of vandalism or trouble as the pump out guy had assured us. We were even insulated from the traffic by a steep bank of trees.

Next morning as we were pumped out 2 hire boats arrived. They had spent the night in the marina while we moored free on the pontoon.

Old crane to the north of Harecastle Tunnel

cows by canal

Afterwards we had a short cruise to the Harecastle tunnel where we joined the queue. The boat behind flew round the corner, lost control and rammed the bank to avoid hitting us. No he wasn’t a hirer but a boater with 20 years experience. He must have been asleep at the tiller! We only waited a few minutes then went through the tunnel, the middle boat of 5. It was cold, noisy as huge fans blew fresh air pat us and the middle section grew lower and lower. We emerged to sun on the other side and the water was deep orange in colour due to the presence of iron ore. We enjoyed the start of the Cheshire locks which were spread out with beautiful rolling scenery around, wooded hills and fields of cows with calves. The first few locks were paired, the lock beams almost touching, but afterwards some were disused and one had completely vanished under a new road. The water soon returned to its normal colour. Lottie liked the mooring that evening, as rabbits roamed free on the common land at Rode Heath.