On the Canal, Days 1 and 2

Written April 18, 2023, on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Two days on the canal, and we have hardly had time to do anything but navigate, operate locks that date to the 18th and 19th centuries, and flatten the canal learning curve for Pat and Wendy. Yesterday was a half day since we had our orientation after provisioning the boat. Nevertheless, we passed through 10 locks yesterday and 28 locks today. Mind you, we operate the locks and they are all operated by hand. Even though we have been traveling by canal boat, Wendy has totaled over 16,000 steps today Christine over 12,000, and I just at 10,000 because I have spent the most time at the tiller. I took a few pictures, and rather than provide a lengthy narrative (I really don’t have the time or energy right now!) I will merely post the pictures in some order that might make relative sense. Tomorrow we enter the remarkable Harecastle Tunnel, dug between 1824 and 1827, which is nearly 1.6 miles long, cramped, damp, and pitch dark. At least the majority of the locks for the next couple of days are now behind us.

Peace Everyone. Pete