Through Harecastle Tunnel

Wednesday 31st May.

We've now come through 2 locks which has brought us up to the level of the Macclesfield Canal which we saw yesterday as the aqueduct crossing above the canal.

And we now come to Harecastle Tunnel where, in fact, there are three tunnels.

The oldest is that built by James Brindley which can be seen above. This tunnel had to close because of subsidence. 

The second tunnel, to the left of the original is the one that is used today.

The third was a rail tunnel which is now no longer in use.

Here's the other end of the tunnel which is 1.6 miles long and took us 25 minutes to get through. It's pitch black in there and, to make matters worse, doors are closed at the south end and enormous extractor fans turned on to aid ventilation. As you approach the end of the tunnel the doors open to let you through.

Stoke on Trent was the heart of the potteries and there are many old potteries around just falling to pieces.

Here is one of the old drying kilns, as distinctive as the oast houses in Kent.

This is Middleport Pottery one of the last potteries still in production in original premises.

We have booked a tour for tomorrow morning.

Aaaww! More babies.

And this is our mooring at Westport Lake Park.

Not a bad view from our window. We'll stay here overnight and move up to the pottery tomorrow for our guided tour. Should be fun.