intrepid pony: Canal crossing cow

Waiting at Harecastle

nice weather at Red bull - for now

After the engine started reluctantly we cast off at 8.50 and followed a boat to the Harecastle tunnel. Half way there it began to rain but it was not heavy. We were fortunate to arrive as traffic emerged from the tunnel as it is so narrow it can only take one way traffic.

After the safety talk we were on our way - the third boat in a three boat convoy. The operator shut the tunnel door behind us and switched the fans on.

old crane at Red Bull

I steered through the tunnel for the first time and found myself ducking even before the roof dropped down. While in charge of the boat it seemed to take longer to reach the far end and emerge into gloomy daylight.

Within minutes hailstones were pelting down at me. Lottie wisely retreated into the cabin and insisted that the Captain accompany her. She hates storms but seemed unconcerned leaving me to my fate. the Captain passed me a large umbrella which shielded me from the falling rocks then made us a hot brew.

Ore coloured water

The trouble with a cruiser stern narrow boat is that you are totally exposed to the elements. It is lovely in sunshine but hail hurts!

Fortunately the intense storm soon abated but we still got wet going down the first lock. The Captain pulled over and moored up until the weather improved.

Inside a deep Cheshire lock

Fifty minutes later we were on our way again. We locked down a further two locks in sunshine and stopped at the Red Bull services dump our rubbish and take on water. I was delighted to find recycling was now provided for as our boat is usually bulging with recycling by the time we return after a long cruise. By the time we had eaten the rain was back so we had a prolonged break.

Eventually we moved off in what we hoped was a better slice of weather. We passed a field of young cattle but one of the black bullocks had escaped. Somehow he had crossed the canal and was lying across the towpath chewing the cud contentedly. The farmer is going to have a problem getting that one back!

bridge with double arches

It stayed dry until Church Lawton where black clouds blew over. While we debated going on it started to rain.We moored up abruptly at the end of the mooring away from the road.

As we sheltered from the pounding hail storm the Captain declared, “That’s it for the night.”

Within the hour the sun returned but he wasn’t tempted to move. It stayed fine until nightfall but we had a lovely spot.