Standedge Tunnel

Tunnel day! We had to be up in good time - the CaRT staff began arriving around 7:15! However as, of the three boats booked for today, we were the last to arrive we still had some wait. They allow 45 minutes between each boat so that the exhaust fumes can clear before the next comes through.

The sun was shining brightly, catchng the flies skimming over the surface of the water under the nearby bridge, as well as the hills high above the tunnel entrance.

Alice and Jess spent some of the time over that the Visitor Centre on the adventure play equipment which they did not have a chance to use when we arrived two days ago. Jess inspected closely a small mushroom growing next to one frame

Wild flower box outside cafe

The water tank had to be topped up even though we did it last night - this helps to ballast the boat as much as possible.

Eventually it was time to meet with Gary, our guide for the trip, and for Mike to don the safety gear. Hard hats are a definite for this trip! The boat had already been checked for its dimensions to ensure that we would fit through. In places the tunnel is much narrower and lower than at the portals.



Entering the tunnel

And so it was off and into the darkness of the tunnel - how long would we take? The first boat in was in a hurry and hope to complete the passage in 1 hour 15 minutes!

Piloting the boat takes considerable concentration and, as it is so narrow, the boat has a tendency to hug one side or the other if left to itself. However, unlike most tunnels, there are plenty obstacles to be negotiated. There are several bends but the main problem is that there is insufficient tumblehome in places. That is, when the boat gunnels touch the wall, the roof comes over too close for the cabin sides to fit through without scraping. We did, in the event, rather better than the previous two times that the boat has been through with just minor scratches.

Meeting place with shadow (can you spot him?)

Photos are not easy either as the the openings where we meet up with the shadow who follow us in a van in the former rail tunnel alongside appear without notice and seem to flash by.

The tunnel changes every few metres, no time to settle into a rhythm. In parts it has a roof high enough for the steerer to stand upright, elsewhere there only just enough room to peep over whilst crouching down. There are sections which are brick lined and parts where the rough hewn rock is exposed. A few parts are concrete.

With about 25 minutes to go we sighted the far end as, at first, just a tiny dot but gradually it grew until we could see other boats waiting to come the other way.

Once we moored up for a welcome mug of coffee and to say farewell to our guide who signed off the Certificates to show that we had today completed the Standedge Tunnel Passage. And our time? 1 hour 25 minutes: not the fastest but quite respectable and not even today's slowest.

We were not in a hurry to move off and everyone was happy to sit, chat, read or whatever until it was time for lunch. Only then did we think about beginning the downhill flight.

The Diggle Flight is perhaps one of the most scenic sections of this generally beautiful canal. The locks are close together but the pounds are somewhat larger than on the other side. There were also plenty of willing onlookers to help with the gates and paddles. Jess had several chances to explain to larger children just what to do.

Sadly, some of the nearby mills stand almost derelict with no obvious future use in mind.

 Nine locks down and we arrived at Wool Road Lock and bridge - the newer end to the lock cottage was being built two years ago.

Wool Road Lock and Bridge

By now it was after four o'clock and after we used the sani station we crossed over to the visitor moorings beside the nature reserve. We called our contact for Frenches Marina where we planned to leave the boat and he popped over and we had a good chat and made final arrangements about the mooring.

4.7 miles - 9 locks (with three miles of tunnel!)