Douglas Diary Summer Hols Bosley Bottom to Stoke-on-Trent
Please let me apologies, these last two posts into my diary are late. This is not because I was being lazy it was because the weather combined with my slightly iffy dongle device have decided between them that communication to the outside world from my long kennel sometimes is and when you read this, was rubbish.
Following on from last night, our arrival at Bosley Bottom lock. just as we did, it started to rain. The wind picked up and overnight, it was horrific. Gales and hail and torrential rain. I was quite frightened, as my kennel was buffeted by the wind.
It was a very pleasant and calm morning and so my bearded one (after our walk) decided to make an early start to try and reach Stoke-on-Trent. To do this we needed to be at the Harecastle tunnel by 3:00 pm to get through we were told.
We had a very pleasant cruise and arrived in plenty of time about a mile from the tunnel, we came to a few moored kennels and it was indicated by the last one that we should join the queue! Ahead there was a fallen tree blocking the canal, some of the kennels had been waiting since 9:00 am!
We had lunch while we waited for instructions (well they did) which came just in time for us to arrive before the deadline. There were lots of us, we were number four in the line for departure. While we waited there was another rainstorm. The color of the water is due to iron oxide. See my photo.
The journey through the tunnel made me frightened like last time. We were underground for 45 minutes and it was black and dripping wet.
We emerged to sunshine and moored up at a pleasant mooring in Stoke-on-Trent. My bearded one lit a fire and we settled down for a quiet evening. My photo is us queuing at the north end of the tunnel.
Love Douglas
My Dear Douglas, how very nice to hear from you. We thought that maybe you were stuck in that long tunnel. Well, the weather has not been good, has it! But luck was on your side as you managed those locks without getting drenched again, well done to your crew, you must be proud of them. Already at Stoke on Trent, we are still here in Whaley Bridge and missing you all. Yesterday we went on the very long kennel, its called a train. I am not sure that you would have liked it but you may have been of help to the nice member of your tribe who was travelling by train for the first time in his life. He was quite nervous. We went to Buxton and had a lovely time. Buxton is a bit like Bath with lovely stone buildings but there is a big dig going on and most of the iconic buildings are covered in condom material and scaffolding. Thats an interesting combination!! There is a central park, all that lovely green stuff that you doggies like. We went to the Museum, you would have been able to come inside, but it was good, lots to see. We are going back again today. Hope to hear from you later, have a great day, xxx
Lovely to hear from you by the way where is my rich tea biscuit? When I take my bearded one each morning for his walk I keep looking for Micky Jay and sometimes I think I have found him and I sometimes climb aboard but my bearded one calls me off. I am disappointed but I am having a lovely time and being well looked after. I have walked for miles recently. Yes we have been lucky dodging the horrendous weather. I am writing this on Friday morning and it is cloudy and just a hint of rain we are in a Stone but I will tell you all about that in my diary. Glad you liked Buxton, I would like to go there one day.
Love Douglas