Wow....the geese were loud all night long making it hard to sleep soundly. We moored near a lake, and we noticed the geese, but we didn't think they would be make noise all night. Lesson learned.
We have a long day today. We have to get back through the Harecastle Tunnel and then go though 26 locks…yes…26 locks…before stopping for the night. We woke up earlier than usual, ate breakfast, and was moving by just after 7:30 AM.
We arrived at Harecastle just before 8 AM, as they were opening. There was one other boat there, and after the briefing from he tunnel keeper, we were back in the tunnel by 8:15 AM. They let the first boat in and then we followed 2 minutes later. Within 5 minutes, we were close to catching up with the boat in front of us, so we had to slow down. This time it took us the full 40 minutes to get though the tunnel…darn slow boat. Oh well…you are not on a canalboat to go anywhere fast.
We have a long day today. We have to get back through the Harecastle Tunnel and then go though 26 locks…yes…26 locks…before stopping for the night. We woke up earlier than usual, ate breakfast, and was moving by just after 7:30 AM.
We arrived at Harecastle just before 8 AM, as they were opening. There was one other boat there, and after the briefing from he tunnel keeper, we were back in the tunnel by 8:15 AM. They let the first boat in and then we followed 2 minutes later. Within 5 minutes, we were close to catching up with the boat in front of us, so we had to slow down. This time it took us the full 40 minutes to get though the tunnel…darn slow boat. Oh well…you are not on a canalboat to go anywhere fast.
 Entering the tunnel |  Looking back to the entrance. |
 A bit of light in front of us. |  Getting ready to exit after 40 minutes. |
Out in the fresh air again.
We made it back to the intersection we passed yesterday and went straight onto the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Back to the intersection we went through yesterday,
We immediately hit Lock 41, the first of 26 locks. We entered the lock at 9:06 AM.
 Entering the first lock of the day |  1 lock done, 25 to go. |
You know that boat that was in front of us in the tunnel? Well, they are going this way as well, and because they are in front of us, all the locks are empty when we get there and we have to fill them which takes time and more work for me. Finally, a few locks later, another boat was coming in the other direction. This means the lock will be prepared for us and we can just enter.
Finally passing another boat between locks.
At 11:25 AM we were 10 locks in. Only 16 more to go.
10 locks down.
Onward to more and more locks of which none of them were set for us. More work for me and more time waiting for the locks to fill before being able to empty them.
 Finally got the lock to full and opened doors for Tim to enter, |  Refilling the lock to get the boat up to the level of the canal. |
Finally, lock 61…20 locks in, 6 to go, and it was in our favor. This is what I like to see when I approach a lock. We arrived to Lock 61 at 2:24 PM, We have been doing these locks over 5 hours ago.
 A full lock! That's what I like to see. |  20 locks down, 6 to go. |
And here we are….Lock 66, the final lock at 3:20 PM.
 Last lock in a beautiful setting. |  Done!! |
The exit out of lock 61. Pretty cool.
Here are the totals: 26 Locks; 7 miles; 6 hours, 14 minutes.
We arrived at our mooring point just 10 minutes later, in Wheelock. I pretty much collapsed in the chair and had a well deserved gin & tonic. Instead of cooking dinner, we treated ourselves to a chippy just a 5 minute walk and brought it back to the boat to eat. After dinner we headed to the pub just down the road and had some half-pints of real ale.
We arrived at our mooring point just 10 minutes later, in Wheelock. I pretty much collapsed in the chair and had a well deserved gin & tonic. Instead of cooking dinner, we treated ourselves to a chippy just a 5 minute walk and brought it back to the boat to eat. After dinner we headed to the pub just down the road and had some half-pints of real ale.
TIme for some real ales.
After the half-pints, I asked if they could make a Snakebite & Black, a drink a friend of mine said I had to try. They made me one. It is some blackberry current with half beer and half cider. It is a pretty color and tasted pretty good..a bit sweet, but good.
Snakebite & Black.
After the pub, back to the boat to relax, and go to sleep. What a day!
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