Solace day 3.

After a good nights sleep we were on our way again.  We had been climbing all the way since the marina (17 locks) and by mid morning we arrived at the southern entrance to the Harecastle Tunnels, shown in my photo.  I refer to tunnels as originally there were two one built by James Brindley and one by Thomas Telford but only one is now navigable.  (The Telford Tunnel I think).

When the tunnels were built boats were taken through by the crew "legging" the tunnel.  This required 2 people laid on planks and "walking"  against the tunnels walls.   With the advent of pwoered boats some form of venbtilation was needed so the building shown in the shot houses fans which draw thw air through from the north end of the tunnel.

Boats are sent through in groups as at  9 feet wide and a narrowboat being 7 feet wide there isn't room to pass.  Passage should take around 45 minutes but wee had to wait an hour as somebody dawdled through.

The shot shows the entrance with the doors closed (so that the air is forded to make the 2926 yard trip from the northern end and boats queuing to get in.  Solace is the one with the "garden" on the roof.