Trent & Mersey Canal:Rode Heath

Yesterday afternoon the weather did turn unpleasant with wind and snow.  The snow was followed in early evening by clear skies and so thid morning the bank was still covered with a frozen crust.   The same applied to the boat, making the wind generator demounting impossible until a few bowls of hot water had cleared the roof.  We set off at 8:00.   Harecastle tunnel doesn't open until 8:00 and when we arrived at the southern portal some 30 minutes later we were just in time to see the back of one boat entering and another waiting.    We were stopped by the tunnel keeper who asked us to test our light and horn.  The light worked but the horn didn't, possibly frozen.   Without a working horn we cannot get passage because that is our only way of communicating with the outside world.  Fortunately we have a portable gas powered one, so all was satisfied.      It was warmer inside, so the remaining ice had gone when we emerged, some 30 minutes later.   The tunnel really is low in places, the wind generator fin clearing the roof by only about 10 cm and it is easy to imagine how a boater recently lost his life in there.  The tunnel light shines ahead but once the front of the boat has past any given point the roof is in darkness  again and if not paying attention, sudden changes in height can be missed.  We now use a torch on the boat roof to keep the tunnel roof always in sight.    Carrying on, we were behind a coal boat (nb Roach).  The crew were setting the paired lock for Pat on the way down the first 6 locks and she was closing up for them.   Needing a couple of bags of coal ourselves, Pat got them to leave a couple on the lockside for us to pick up.  Rode Heath was reached in decent weather which deteriorated as forecast.