will a 70ft boat fit in a 68ft hole?

Sunday 27th June. 5 miles, 6 Locks, 2 lift bridges

Wandered on up the Caldon and pleased we did as it is a nice place to be. Still narrow and tight in places and in one place there is a big round thing in the middle of the canal that one squeezes past. Spent the night at the junction of the Leek branch, west of pub ST13 7JT. As part of the Leek branch was closed we walk into as far as we could motor and were happy that we had seen all we could and didn't need to go there again. Bit of a pitty as Leek is meant to be worth visiting.

Monday 28th June. 6 miles, 7 locks.

the Churnet Valley where we visited the Cheddelton Flint mill museum with working water wheels. Interesting to see how all the cogs connected to keep various parts going. The canal drops down into the Churnet river for a short time before a lock takes us back onto the canal. Arrived at Consall Forge which is the middle station on a Steam train line. The canal runs beside the station and as room is so tight the platform is cantilevered over the canal. Another tight fit but not the tightest. We knew we were close to the limit of our travels as we had been told the last place to turn a 70ft boat was at the next lock. Looked very tight but gave it a go. Didn't fit the way I tried it so back off and try another method. I'm sure the turning bay was 68ft with a little knick in it. Put the nose in the knick hop of the back of the boat and gentle pull it around. Yes a 70ft boat will fit in a modified 68ft hole. Now we are pointing back towards the way we came its back past the station again and par up at Consall Forge. Deserved a pub meal tonight at the highly recommend Black Lion.ST9 0AJ.

Tuesday 29th June. 4 miles, 7 locks.

As we couldn't take the boat to the end of the canal we walked the tow path to Froghall. they have developed a great place for mooring narrowboats but it is a bit untidy as it looks like no narrow boats can get there. There is a tunnel just before the end of the canal that is very low roof clearance. There are gages by the last lock to see if you can fit. There were about 5 boats at the tunnel that hadn't/couldn't go through so the mooring basin was empty. Great potential if they make the tunnel bigger. Sailed off from Consall Forge late in the day. Stopped at Cheddelton Station, the home of the Steam trains. One was in steam for Wednesday but they only do school trips on Wednesdays so I wasn't tempted to stay. Decided to make for another recommended pub but all moorings were taken so stopped where we had on Sunday night.

Wednesday 30 June. 8 miles, 5 locks, 1 Lift bridge.

Pretty much a trundle back through all those narrow bits, obstructions and tight turns to stop for the night near Hanley park with 3 locks left before we get back onto the Trent & Mersey.

Tonights post code is a factory shop 1/4 mile back up the canal. I guess we will visit tomorrow. ST13EJ.