Joined by Martin and Helen at 10:00 and buoyed by the Meteorological Office promising sunshine and (less than)>5% chance of rain we set off on a cold morning at 11:00 through the 8 Wheelock Locks 66-59. But, we were cruising through a deluge - so much for the forecast.
Eventually, the rain kept nearly stopping but not quite as we continued through the 3 Hassall Green Locks 58-57 and the 2 Pierpoint Locks 56-55. Rain turned to sleet, hail and then snow as we cruised towards the Thurlwood Locks 54-53. Hilary was turning blue on the tiller and Helen went into the galley to make some hot drinks. At Rode Heath we decided to call it a day.
After some lunch Martin cycled back to Wheelock where his car was parked. “The hill over there is white with snow”, he reported. Sadly the nearby Broughton Arms pub was closed.
Vera loved the heath with it’s plethora of dog walkers.
On Sunday morning 11th April 2021 it was cold but bright. We set off early over the aqueduct and through the Lawton Treble Locks 52-50, Hall’s Lock 49 and Church Locks 48-47. Passing walkers, joggers, cyclists and dog walkers commented on how the weather was a bit better than yesterday!
We trundled through the first 4 Red Bull Locks 46-43 and moored up opposite the Red Bull pub (maybe open tomorrow) after using the Canal & River Trust Services. Hopefully we can use the washing machine here tomorrow. We walked up the tow path passing LIDL to a huge Tesco Extra to get some shopping. We passed this shrine to Mikey by lock 43. Apparently the 19-year-old lad drowned while trying to jump across the lock.
When we move on we have the scary 2926 yard Harecastle Tunnel to negotiate.
Harecastle Tunnel has just been mentioned on 'Celebrity Barging'. . .(it might be a repeat programme)