Started off Friday at 8am to go up the 9 locks to the move of the tunnel. Boat had already been stripped of cratch in preparation for the tunnel. We had a minor delay at one lock where clumps of fern where stopping the gate from openning. I had to fish them out with a boat hook, from the bow of Geoff’s boat, howver we eventually got it closed and were able to proceed. BW turned up 20 minutes later to also discover the bottom paddle was broken which may have contributed to the problem.
Mooring before the tunnel entrance (not very big for a tunnel over 3 miles long), we removed what was left on the roof and stored it in the boat. After the boat being measured, we found ours would be last in the line of 4, as it had the lowest cabin height. Several large rubber mats were put over the boat to protect it through the tunnel and we were then ready to go. Karen was to take the dogs over teh top in a taxi so she couldn’t enjoy the trip in the tug through the tunnel.
At 12:50 we were asked to board the tug and passage through the tunnel proceeded with a BW person on the stern of each boat to fend it off as we went through. The convoy was to be shadowed by a further BW man in van that would rive through a parallel unused railway tunnel, where he checked up with the convoy at several points during the trip. Once inside the main part of the tunnel you begin to realise why the boats are towed through and protected so well. The tunnel has been blasted through and this has left a rough bare rock surface for many sections, being very narrow and low in places. How the boats don’t get scratched is a credit to the BW team, who were exceptional. We had a commentary from a BW guide Fred throughout the journey and happily answered any questions. The experience is hard to describe, but left you admiring the days when boats were legged through in the cold damp conditions.
Emerging at the Marsden end, the mats were pulled off and amazingly there was no damage to any of the boats. Like to BW men who went through on the stern of each boat they were wet and covered in black grey mud. We then moored just outside the tunnel washed down boat and put back the cratch and stuff on the roof.