Onward down Heartbreak Hill

All lights blazing, the tunnel light brightens  the gloom

Today we headed off through the Harecastle tunnel which took three  years to dig and opened in 1827. It is one and three quarter miles long and takes about 45  minutes to pass through. As usual, we were accompanied by the Beatles "Revolver" album which takes about that time to play and we sang along at the top of our voices.It seems to make the time pass more quickly and quells the slight claustrophobia that can arise as the tunnel narrows towards a pin prick of light. After emerging once more , we set about the first 12 locks of what has been known to boaters for many years as Heartbreak Hill.

Twenty six locks in about 7 miles take you down 250 feet from the summit of the Trent and Mersey to the Cheshire plane below.
We moored tonight at Rode Heath and dinner at the Broughton Arms, which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Mike's veggie pie was so dry as to be almost inedible and potatoes as an option when coleslaw ran out didn't help,considering it was an onion and potato pie! Oh well,better luck tomorrow!

Nice little house next to the canal would be nice!