A few days ago we found out that the Rochdale Canal is closed again, vandalised by a farmer with a JCB (twice) who is frustrated at having his access across the canal removed since it was renovated, it is due to be replaced soon. The repairs can’t take place until some nature conservation trust has agreed. So it looks as if we won’t be able to go back that route to the Rally on the 9-10 June. The options are 1. back through the tunnel, probably the quickest but we’ver just done that; 2. round the Leeds and Liverpool via Wigan and down the T&M – 120+ hours, i.e. 18 days at 8 hrs per day, this is the longest route but we coudl do it; 3. go east and up the River Trent, looks like it could save us about 6 days, being only 98 miles but we have to contend with the tidal Trent which may also cause delays if there is rain later in the month and it goes into flood. We have a few days to decide, but option 3 is looking like a strong possibility.