Consall Forge to Cheddleton Heath via Froghall
water point, Consall Forge Lime Kilns
London Bridge
Got up late, at 0800. Under way at 0820 but stopped a few minutes later at the water point at the foot of the lime kilns. The water pressure here was very high, too fierce for our hose, so we had to give up. The water would have provided useful extra ballast to help us through the tunnel. This was to be another exciting part of our trip, with a pioneering feel. The guage suggested we wouldn't fit through the notoriously low tunnel: the bare roof of the boat pushed the plastic flaps out of the way. Was the guage being overly cautious? If we didn't fit through the tunnel would we be able to wind? We approached gingerly, and crept in, crew positioned front and back for fending purposes. Now we cut the engine so we could guide ourselves through, "handing" the boat along (well, there was no room to leg it). We took our time, getting crew not needed for propulsion to walk to whichever part of the boat needed trimming, and ... we made it! The tunnel might have been only 76 yards long, but we felt as though we'd accomplished one of our finest achievements of the cruise. It didn't matter that there was only a stone's throw of canal the other side - we'd got through. Actually the other side was interesting: a small basin (in which we moored at 1135); an ice cream kiosk; and a brand new set of moorings, opened just two weeks previously. We were one of the very first boats to go down the restored lock of the Uttoxeter branch, and wind by the pontoon moorings. Our schedule didn't allow for much more than a quick scramble (by foot) into the undergrowth following the line of the Uttoxeter branch for a bit. Some serious restoration required here! As we locked back up to the main line we got talking to some people who'd taken a great interest in our venture. When we invited them to join us as ballast they jumped at the chance. Our passage back through the tunnel was much easier this time. We'd watered up and filled the shower bath with water, plus we had three extra passengers, so we had plenty of headroom. Our guests stayed with us until Consall Forge, happy to drink our beer and our tea!
entering Froghall Tunnel (east portal) (where am I going?)
slowly does it
out we pop
a spot of bow hauling
After climbing the three Hazelhurst Locks we turned left onto the Leek Branch, and moored about a mile beyond the aqueduct.
Fearghal charms the electric snake with that old "bottle on finger" trick
basking in glory ... or something
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