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 ).