Froghall

Here I am Rune

Distance 7.2 miles

Total 565 Locks 19 Tunnels

Running total mileage 861.5 miles

As anticipated we have made it to Froghall and decided not to take the Froghall Tunnel Challenge, mooring just west of the tunnel. In fairness, without the top boxes on the boat we would have fitted through the tunnel, and it is possible that if we emptied the top boxes we might just fit through, but have decided that it isn’t worth the hassle. Not entirely sure why they built this tunnel so low since it was used for transportation of lime in its heyday so that would have limited how much lime they could pile up on the boat. This has been a bit of a challenging canal since all of the corners have tended to be really sharp which makes it more difficult for us at 60’ it must be a real pain for a full length boat of 72’ who would probably have to stop and reverse at the worst of the corners.

We’ll stay here overnight and then set off back towards Etruria tomorrow to continue up the Trent and Mersey. My hoe for tomorrow will be to get back to Engine Lock which will enable us to clear Stoke on Trent the following day. 

Froghall Tunnel (from the West)

Froghall Tunnel (from the East)

Froghall Marina

The end of the canal!