Heartbreak Hill pt 2 to Middlewich

So 12 locks down and 14 to go and I have found muscles I had forgotten I had!!!

The bicycle is proving a hit.

We have moored at lock 57 several times in the past but alas the shop and wine bar are no longer.

Always a Stobart moment at Lock 58.

Major job at the last lock .

Moored at Wheelock, body in major meltdown, mission accomplished, 26 locks in 2 days on 2 wheels!!!

Before we leave Wheelock we take on water and give the boat a much needed wash down watched carefully by the locals.

Last of the countryside before we approach "salt country"

Approaching Middlewich and right on cue it begins to rain.  Middlewich locks in the rain is becoming a tradition we can well do without.  At least this time  we had good water levels and didn't have to run water down.

Middlewich had been dedicated to salt extraction since Roman times.

Yes Mr Heron it's us again, moored just before the "Big Lock" and looking forward to a visit from Lucy and Rob.

Arkholme lands her first fish who them promptly escapes to say hello to Ollie who is asleep on his bed and to chase me screaming down the boat!!!

With the Tour-de-France being in "god's country" Trev has suddenly developed a interest in cycling so we will move on tomorrow.

Harecastle Tunnel and Heartbreak Hill - Part 1

A short cruise from Westport Lake brings us to Harecastle Tunnel.

On arrival we have to book in with the tunnel keeper who takes a note of our boat index and the number of people and pets on board.

Even though we have been through several times before we have the pep talk on tunnel safety and are given the safety notice for boaters.  Sadly earlier in the year there was a boater fatality.

In we go at 10.31 a.m.

and emerge 2926 yards  and 37 minutes later.

Waiting to go in are several members of the Mersey Boat Club who have their moorings near Scarisbrick Marina.

Time to bring on Heartbreak Hill - 26 locks in only 7 miles between Hardings Wood and Wheelock descending 250 feet to the Cheshire Plain.

A cunning plan has been hatched - as the majority of the locks are duplicated, I cycle on ahead to set the lock and give Trev advanced warning as to which one to aim the boat at.

Twelve are enough for today and there is tennis to watch so we overnight at Rode Heath.

The Potteries

My kind of lock.....

and our kind of canal side property.

One day we will visit the Wedgwood Pottery

Trentham Lock

and the first of these distinctive signs telling the story of this fascinating length of canal.

New development 

and a tribute to the old wagon works.

A flight of five taking us to Etruria Junction

Brindley Statue at Etruria Junction

and Trev reverses up to the services to take on water and attempt a pump out.

Stop for very very cheap gas

The Roundhouse stands hidden behind the bushes, the very last remains of the original Wedgwood Factory built in 1769.

Signs of the pottery industry still survive in the shape of the brick furnaces shaped like gigantic bottles about thirty feet high.

We moor for the night at one of our favourite spots beside Westport Lake

and get ready to take on "Heartbreak Hill" tomorrow.

8 miles and 6 locks

Scores on the doors

412 miles, 175 locks, 10 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 9 tunnels.

Stone to Bridge 102

Time to move on after a long weekend  in Stone.

Now we do like a boat that is different!!!

Goodbye Stone and on to Barlaston- at least that is the plan.

First its Meaford  Locks - the present flight of four replaced an earlier staircase of three.

They are in need of a bit of tlc!!!

The paddles are closed!!!

Trev has a visit down the weed hatch to remove a t-shirt wrapped around the prop.

Mission complete.

We decide to moor at bridge 102 and pay the Lakeside Tavern a visit...... it was closed.........ah well back to the boat for the tennis then!!!

We have been reading a lot about local communities adopting sections of the canals.....

and long gone are the days of towpaths being for the horses!!!

View from the kitchen window.

Easy day - 3 miles and 5 locks.