Buggart

Set off for Harecastle Tunnel from Westport Lake in warm grey dry conditions. A quick briefing from the tunnel keeper and we were on our way through, the middle boat of a group of three. As soon as you are through the portal and underneath the Pennines the arched damp masonry and the huge fume extraction fan cool you down a few degrees. Betty who had been watching from her perch in the cratch came out on deck for the last few hundred yards of our journey through.

Betty The Kidsgrove Buggart ?

Out into the light and onto the orange waters of the northern portal, we soon pass the junction that takes you in a loop over the Trent & Mersey via Poole Aqueduct to the stop lock that joins to the Macclesfield canal. Then we are at the beginning or the end of the Cheshire flight aka 'Heartbreak Hill'

A well earned rest..

Sue and Betty handle the locks with aplomb, occasionally Sue walks forward to set the next lock and Betty manages to close both lock gates as FL leaves the lock.

The Sun has been out most of the day and by 14:00 it was very hot. We called it a day Hassal Green after sixteen locks, leaving twelve locks to do tomorrow to get above the Booth Lane flight.