The end of the Heartbreak.....

.....well almost.

A late start today, another short cruise to a mooring in preparation for the next mini adventure, passing through Harecastle Tunnel.

I set of at 11:30 in beautiful sunshine and warm enough for just a body warmer,  hat and gloves.

The reason it’s called heartbreak hill, as told by some, is because the locks are not evenly spaced and don’t allow you to get into a rhythm, that’s one version anyway, and I can understand that, although I have broken it down into three or four stints so it hasn’t been a heartbreak for me.

The Red Bull locks were my target today just about half a mile ahead to the first of them, a pleasant little time to take in my surroundings and both the views and the locks were very pleasant, smooth easy paddles and one or two in my favour.

First Lock

Second lock ahead, too far to walk, too short to get going.

In the second lock

As I was about to enter third lock a volunteer appeared, but as I had already prepared it he just said hello and carried on walking back to the second lock.

I stopped at the services for a fill and empty and while there a boat passed me and the volunteer had walked back and so he locked them through the fourth lock, but he asked me if I was going through when I had finished filling and prepared the lock for me after they were through J

Fourth lock with hi-viz assistance.

I then continued on and passed beneath the Macclesfield Canal Aqueduct without realising it, it’s a strange layout because when heading south you go under the aqueduct and further along is the entrance to the canal on your right, it swings around and back on itself, I then went  through the fifth and last one today and moored up, one lock before the tunnel where I have been told it’s ok to moor, evidently up by the tunnel the yoof’s can be troublesome.

I got sorted and rang to book my passage through the tunnel and they said tomorrow at 8:30, so it’s an early start for me and according to the weather forecast -3 overnight so maybe a chilly one as well.

Tonights mooring

Totals today: 1.25 miles : 5 locks