Middlewich.

After 14 locks  and sheer exhaustion yesterday we deliberately chose to have a quiet day today, consisting of 4 locks and some gentle cruising, ending mid-afternoon just outside Middlewich. The Trent and Mersey here is very wide, with a mixture of industry and farming scenery. We intend filling with diesel at Kings Lock chandlery, Middlewich in the morning although we still have half a tank remaining .  Today was cooler with sunshine and light showers.

I have been requested to confirm our kettle is merely mis-coloured rather than mis-shaped ,which I am happy to do.

Cat report and other razzle dazzle

Needless to say Phoebe and Sadie have settled back on the boat as if they had never been away, but their adventures ashore occur during the day and are closely monitored. The Staffordshire mouse population is now considerably reduced.  

I started the day in shirt, sweater, trackies and socks/trainers, reflecting the sudden change in the weather . However, by lunchtime I was back in shorts, tee shirt and sandals as the sun broke through the clouds, just in time for our passage through 14 locks ( yes, 14 ).

Eventually we moored in Wheelock for a fantastic, and thoroughly deserved, fish and chip supper at £3 each. 

I have enjoyed a couple of lucky days. Lynne managed to boil the kettle dry, changing it's shape and colour ( she forgot to put the whistle spout on ). Nothing was said but I thanked god it had not been my fault as life would not have been worth living. Anything for a quiet life and the kettle still works, albeit in different shades and a different shape. At least I have solved the problem of Lynne's birthday present this year. 

Similarly a dreadful fates awaited one of our boat plate set and our old windlass ( the one that broke my leg ),with the same result as far as I was concerned. ( table presents? ). I am not a religious person but this thanking god phase has been good to me so far.

Caldon TLC & Harecastle tunnel

We're back on the Trent and Mersey canal, heading for the Anderton lift and River Weaver. The caldon canal is very beautiful once you get past the new housing estates, but is far too bendy for any boat above 45 foot in length, seriously lacks mooring and the oddball Froghall tunnel constricts access to the end. However, a major renewal of the towpath, canal edges and serious dredging is underway, so improvements will happen.

From Etruria we made our way in ever deteriorating weather to the Harecastle tunnel ,  opened in1777 but subsequently riddled by subsidence. The "new" tunnel opened in 1827 at 1 and three quarter miles length and later had doors and ventilation fans fitted. It was lightly raining and warm when we entered but cool and dry when we exited three quarters of an hour later. The clang of the doors behind you and the fan roar is initially frightening .The temperature drops considerably, but we had learned from our first experience years ago by adding several layers of clothes.

We moored north of the Macclesfield canal. The canal water South of the tunnel is the usual "canal colour" but turns dull orange to the north ( iron ore seepage apparently ).

Caldon Lego-City. Trent & Mersey.

We moored near Park Lane Services prior to traversing Lego City in the reverse direction. The Caldon has a dearth of mooring on the beautiful end of the canal where you want to spend time and tons of mooring in Lego-City where you don't.

The Caldon has possibly the worst communications links anywhere on earth. It is as if Mobile phones, the Internet and TV had never been invented. Blogging and any outside contact was a no-no.

If your boat does not pass below the ribbons, forget even trying to fit through, although it is a pleasant walk "over the top"

Having accepted and got over the shocking existence  of Lego City on the way in, it had a much softer impact on the way out. Margaret and the locals confirmed the city replaced old and derelict warehouses that were beyond redemption. It also appears most of the flats are student accommodation and the larger properties social housing.

We got round all the tight bends and down the staircase locks without major incident before mooring back on the Trent & Mersey, somewhat relieved.

Caldon to Uttoxeter

Having moored very near the Leek/Caldon junction it only took minutes to continue our trip along the Caldon in the general direction of Uttoxeter, famous for horse racing, JCB's and Alton Towers. 

The Caldon canal opened in 1779 to carry iron ore and limestone for industry whilst providing an

additional water supply for the Trent and Mersey. We made it as far as Consall Forge and RSPB nature reserve, before further canal travel becomes restricted by the bore of Froghall tunnel. Here we chose to moor for the night ,next to the lime kilns, unused for over 75 years (see photo and please excuse my finger)

Today was hot and sweaty, particularly uncomfortable. How often can you say that in England?

The Leek

A beautiful morning, as indicated by the photo's.

The Caldon canal Leek arm sneeks off the the right of the main canal and curves to the left, passing over the Caldon via an aqueduct on a very sharp bend, and not a Lego house in sight.

This is as I remember it many years ago and feel priveledged to have seen it before modern man deemed to ruin it for future generations. We are undertaking our canal tour not a moment too soon.

The Caldon canal

A very bendy canal, industrial at one end and countrified at the other, it originally carried limestone.

These days it's course seems to be inhabited by students, resulting in  many beer bottles and cans giving an appearance of neglect, sadly.

The other noticeable thing is one side of the canal is covered with wall to wall housing estates whilst the other remains woodland and moorland ,as it has always been. Spotted two kingfishers and umpteen herons, still as grumpy as ever.

The heat was tremendous, particularly winding and pushing locks (me) whilst Lynne literally roasted on the tiller. 

The above stands next to Caldon locks. It is a celebration of the potteries by all the big companies involved.

Eventually we escaped from Lego-housing incorporated and landed in real countryside for a pleasant change. The canal continues to twist and turn. I would not recommend taking a boat over45 feet down the Caldon and bow thrusters are a must. Luckily it was not busy on our visit. The canal eventually splits into the Caldon to Uttuxeter and the Leek arm to Leek. We chose the latter and moored near the aqueduct over the Calden.

A quieter/ shorter day and all the better for it.