Narrowboat Annie: Heartbreak Hill

Saturday 23 September Middlewich to Wheelock (Hearbreak Hill) (6 miles, 6 locks)

Poor Liana is still coughing badly whenever she lays down, so she finished up semi-sitting in the dinette last night. We’ve had a leisurely cup of tea and discussed having an easy day, perhaps finishing at Wheelock or Hassall Green.

Our 2007 Pearson’s Guide!

There was rain during the night, and a few drops are falling now, so we are not rushing off! We have seen loads of dog walkers, and dachshunds seem to be very popular here.

We set off down Wardle Lock. The lock cottage needs renovation. It used to be kept beautifully by the lady years ago.

Turning sharp right at the junction, past the chandlery, diesel was £1.03, but it seemed closed, with a boat moored there, so we ascended the deep King’s Lock. A boat was following us. The canal is very wide and feels deep as you travel south to Stanthorne lock.

Once through this, we had one or two once rural miles to the next group of three locks, but found loads of new housing developments filling the gap between canal and railway.

The huge piles of salt can be seen above at the salt works, nearby which are several chemical works.

The three miles to Wheelock were host to a national division 2 angling competition, John was told by one of about 150 anglers he passed at idling speed. They were all ok, with quite a few thanking John.

At Wheelock, we used the services for water, Elsan and rubbish disposal. Once moored at the end of the services, we had a walk around the village, after which we got drinks and muffins at The Cheshire Cat pub close to the boat. Liana is tired, and John can watch soccer here later, so that’s all for today, folks!

Sunday 24 September Wheelock to The Broughton Arms at Rode Heath (14 locks, 7 miles)

We felt tired so John got up late and made tea. Jo called while I was eating breakfast, on her way to go mountain biking.

From now on the locks were paired by Telford, but many are now inoperative.

We were following NB Minuet, who kindly opened a paddle on the other lock for us once or twice.

We crossed over with oncoming boats a couple of times.

Where a lock was defunct, it was often made into a large bywash.

Once at Rode Heath, the rain started, so we moored opposite the Broughton Arms and dived in for a Sunday Roast!

The wind rose, making trees and boats move in the gusts. The western evening sky showed this, too.

Monday 25 September Rode Heath through Harecastle Tunnel to Westport Lake (6 miles, 12 locks, 1 tunnel)

After a windy, rainy night we awoke to lighter skies and sunshine. Hoorah!

The first six locks today seemed to be fighting back! The boat got dragged forward at great speed in the first two, so Liana opened paddles VERY slowly for the rest! Some gates were very heavy to push. Some swung open again once closed. Other top gates tried to close again as you tried to push them open!! A liveaboards had moored on one short lock landing, so John had to drop Luana off from the front, in the mouth of the lock.

John took Annie into one lock, only to find that the top gate paddles were chained up. Reversing out, we used the other lock. It’s all part of the fun!!

Kind hireboaters opened a few bottom paddles for us. Unfortunately, they left the top paddles open too at one lock, and half drained the pound above before Liana reached that lock! In fact, several pounds were lowish.

Liana chatted with boaters and dog walkers as we took our time and enjoyed this pleasant morning.

Liana rang CRT to book passage through Harecastle Tunnel. We had to be there before noon, otherwise we would have to wait until tomorrow. The Red Bull inn overlooks the top lock.

After a briefing by the CRT chap, who checked Annie’s lights and horn, we were allowed to pass through the 1.6 mile long tunnel. The roof gets quite low in the middle.