Bumble Hole Country Park

Here I am Rune

Distance 10.7 miles

Total 2409 Locks  112 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3400.9 miles 

Sadly we failed the gauging test to be allowed through Dudley tunnel. We were OK on height, which had been my concern, but cabin roof was too wide. At least now we know for certain that we cannot do Dudley tunnel.

RUNE failing the gauging process

 That being the case the itinerary then became to go down and through Netherton Tunnel, which pretty much takes you to the same sort of place. We ended out travelling a bit further than I intended having gone to Hawne Basin to refuel we found that there were no moorings so we have had to travel back to Bumble Hole, by the visitor centre for the night. The challenge was going back through Gorsty Tunnel since they have lopped down a load of canalside trees and left the cut logs on the towpath. Kids being what they are, they have clearly been throwing the logs into to canal. As a result of this we came to a dead stop just as we entered the tunnel as a log became trapped between the propeller and the bottom of the boat, stalling the engine. We managed to haul ourselves back out of the tunnel enabling me to knock the log off the propeller through the weed hatch. This was followed by a slow trip through the tunnel trying to avoid any other logs, and collecting up any that we did find. Instead of taking just over an hour to get back to Bumble Hole it took us an hour and a quarter just to get clear of Gorsty Tunnel.

Gorsty Tunnel approach (with lots of crud in the mouth of the tunnel)

Inside Gorsty tunnel

Once back at Bumble hole we moored up outside of the visitor centre, unfortunately we were the only boat here, not always a good sign! So far all we have had is some child bang on the roof of the boat then run off, I hope that is all that we get.

Tomorrow will be a short run to Merry Hill, probably remaining there for the week-end.