Since entering (for the second time) the Grand Union Canal - from the Thames Lock at Brentford - we've made 74 miles and 89 locks. Our complete trip (thus far) encompasses 334 miles and 297 locks.
We're parking Moonstone in Blisworth Marina, over the weekend, in order to take a (rental) car up to Cleckheaton (in Yorkshire) Folk Festival. Once we're back on the boat, we have only three or four days of cruising to bring us to the marina in the arm of the Saltisford Canal (in Warwick); and the end of this first episode of our Grand Procession!
Yesterday we traversed the famous Blisworth Tunnel.
(3,076 yards. (2.804 kilometres; nearly 1 3/4 miles)
To our surprise (though why should we be surprised?) one of the readers of this (b)Log: Rob Folsom, of Tacoma Sound (Sound Engineer on three of my recordings!); has steered a boat through this marvel of Victorian engineering!!! I'd bet you sang a song or two, en route, didn't you, Rob?
This transit was - again - 'an experience'; though it would have been easier if the tunnel was actually straight. ;-)) Sometimes; in life; the light one can observe is the end of the tunnel. Twice on this journey, it was a boat coming towards us. Strangely ... we were (obviously) the more experienced and capable crew!!! Our boats are seven feet wide, and the widest part of the construction is barely fifteen feet. Singing in these places is a great joy. When, eventually (after about 50 minutes) we emerged from the North end, we found we had an audience awaiting us. Their comments were exceedingly gracious.
The weather - once out from the pleasant coolness - was very hot (for England); about 33 degrees; almost 92, for our American readers. We were pleased to pull over to the canal-bank, and have some time and a meal with our old friends: Rose and Brian.
All for now, folks. Live well. Tom and Lyn.
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