Back Story Part 1

On A Whim .... here we go

Last year we decided to move on to the canals for a couple of years of 'constant cruising'.  Travelling the UK inland waterways and getting to know more about the country we call home.  We bought the narrowboat On A Whim on 7 October 2017:

An easy transaction with Adele, a lovely woman who was moving on to another life.

We travelled along the Bridgewater Canal, through Manchester stopping in the Castlefield Basin for a couple of nights.

On through the Rochdale 9 and the Ashton Canal with Giddy, a really nice guy, and his crew.  Being with another boat and the extra hands made that journey a lot easier than it might otherwise have been .... so many locks, early days anxiety that the boat would 'break' and the rest!  

Made it to Droylsden Marina on the outskirts of Manchester and rested up for a couple of days!!  Enjoyed the hospitality of a greasy spoon around the corner before heading off again, up the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.  

To get to our intended destination had to book a passage through the Stanedge Tunnel, and wait for about 3 weeks before we could get through.  Winter timetables I assume.  We stopped in Uppermill, which was wonderful.  Great coffee shops, beautiful walks along the canal, no hassle, easy shopping and weekend evenings entertainment watching the party goers of Uppermill going from restaurant to pub, to pub.  All good.

When the time came, headed to the Tunnel.  Had a few beers and a meal at the Diggle hotel en route.  It took a few days in canal time.  Recommend the Diggle Hotel - nice hostelry.   http://www.digglehotel.co.uk/index  My brother joined us and his help was much appreciated once we were on the Huddersfield side of the tunnel!!  Oh, and Minnie of course!

I bottled the tunnel!!  Took Minnie and went over the top (in the car!).  Jay, the present incumbeent, took it through with a CRT volunteer, Trevor Ellis.

And so they left, heading deep into the bowels of the earth ..... well, under the Pennines at least.  Two hours later they emerged at Marsden.  We moored up at Marsden, great village, and headed for the Riverhead Brewery Tap,  mmmmmmmm.... good beer!!  http://theriverheadmarsden.co.uk/

I'm catching up here, giving you the back story to the journey we are about to set out on.  Think that's enough for one session though.

Please don't hold back on comments - not used to this writing shit!  All tips and hints gratefully received