Day 5 of our voyage. Weather mostly raining, overcast and cool. Harecastle tunnel to Wheelock. 25 locks 10 miles today 45 miles 45 locks so far on our cruise heading north west.
Wow! What an exciting time I have had today. Let me start by telling you about a big mistake that could have been serious if I had not been wearing my going away outfit. My bearded one was endeavouring to secure me before we entered the tunnel, just in case I was to attempt an abandon ship manoeuvre on purpose or accidentally within. He attached my lead to a point on the boat that in his estimated would allow me the freedom but limit of the small stern deck. His estimate was 18 inches adrift! Now, Peggy, a new friend of mine from the Staffy tribe called me out to play. (we had been doing a lot of this as we waited for the tunnel to open) I did not realise at the time that I was attached to this new safety device and I jumped off the long kennel and much to my embarrassment, suddenly and abruptly, there I was hanging suspended with my under carriage in water like a fender on the side of the boat!
My bearded one hoiked me back inside and to avoid further embarrassment, I pretended it was normal pre -tunnel procedure.
At 8:30 we were ready and asked to enter into this big dark hole on the side of a hill (my safety device had been altered) all humans on board had donned waterproofs as it was going to be wet in the tunnel. We were the first boat in a convoy of 8. It was as black as your hat and we trundled on in total darkness, except for our slightly inadequate headlight, for nearly an hour before we emerged on the other side where it was pouring with rain.
It was still raining and after just a mile or so we were faced with a run of lock after lock for miles, 20 locks in fact over the next 10 miles and I was getting wetter and wetter as nobody had thought to give me a raincoat. But, the bonus was that I was able to walk pretty well all the way. This is one of my favourite things.
By about 5:30 we moored up at a village called Weedon Lock just outside a very nice and convenient Italian restaurant.
It has at last stopped raining. They all went inside and apparently had a lovely meal and guess what, I was in my long kennel on guard detail – for me? nothing, nada, zilch!!
Before I sign off for today, if you have read my diary this far, you may be interested to know, on the right hand side of this page, we have just installed my real time actual current location on a map!
My photos today are: me, wet in my going away outfit, inside the tunnel, our mooring at Weedon.
Sent from my iPad
You need to teach your bearded one how to conduct a risk assessment. Risk is a product of likelihood versus consequence.
Likelihood of you not understanding that your going away outfit and lead/tether were intended to keep you on board = Almost Certain.
Consequence of you being used as a fender for the long kennel during a transit through a long dark tunnel = Extreme.
Not a good combination. Poor Douglas
I think I understand, I will tell him, I have to be vigilant, he is not as young as he used to be.
Your long haired one must be tired out by opening and closing all those locks.
Were you frightened in the dark, I wonder?
Do hope they feed you sometime – even if it’s not Italian food.
Risk assessments clearly necessary in future, anyway . . .
Simon & Heather
Yes it was scary, I couldn’t see a bloody thing, neither could he apparently, bumbling along bouncing off the sides…..
Poor Douglas!!!! (Wilma, curled up on my lap as I type, is screaming “SUE” at the screen!!)
Keep opening all those locks mum – there’s an opening for a new shot putter in the olympics, you could show them how it’s done!!!
Loving the blog
Big hugs to all of you
Fiona xxxx
I thought about sueing but I know he hasn’t got much money and he apparently needs that for his visits to see all these people he has to see every night to keep the long haired one happy.
Xx
Try BGR Bloomer. Great practice. No win, no fee. You can’t lose.
Hi Douglas , what a time you are having. I am pleased that Noah took the bearded one to task about his attitude to your Health and Safety, and that you are all now being extra careful. We didn’t like the thought of that long tunnel, it must have been quite scary. By now you should have sampled the delights of Runcorn, the bridge is quite impressive though. Loving the little map on the side of your web page, we keep the map by the side of the computer so that we can see where you are. Do they have any long range journey forecasts because it would be nice to know in case we are able to come and meet up with you sometime over the weekend. Got to go now to watch the Lightning Bolt run his 200mts. Keep up the blog, its great.
xx
Apparently, my bearded one will be in a better position on Friday night to give an eta at any particular venue, should be negotiating Manchester. Xx