We left Froghall basin just after 6 am. Up through the narrow lock.
Athough this time it took a while to fill the water tank, going through the tunnel early reduced the risk of needing to pass oncoming boats in the narrows. It paid dividends, the journey felt surreal, it was just us and the birds.
Mind you those birds seemed glad of the company. I’d got off the boat to work one of the locks and before we knew it they were hitching a ride. Ducks are usually quite skittish and don’t hang around us humans, unless we have a loaf of bread with us, so it was quite amusing that they stayed on board for a good 5 minutes.
Our journey took us back under the aqueduct.
And once we had climbed the 3 locks with the lovely cottage
And turned the sharp U Turn junction
We began our trip along the Leek branch, back over the aqueduct looking down on the Froghall branch
It was a pleasant journey, quite different to the Froghall branch, lots of very desirable houses with garden mooring. We had been warned that the Leek tunnel was also difficult, but we’re not sure why. Enough room to swing the proverbial cat.
Sadly when the canals were abandoned , someone had the bright idea to reclaim the land and built an industrial unit over the last half mile that would have taken boats right into this lovely historic town. So the canal peeters out Leaving just a shallow 40′ winding hole.
Luckily though, there is good mooring for about 6 boats after the last full size winding hole, even though you have to reverse into it.
So here we stayed for a few days to enjoy the town , and Morrisons.