If you can't beat them...

By Jerra

Leek Tunnel.

The Caldon Canal is split into two branches near the top.  The Leek Branch was the second to be built.  Its main purpose was as a "feeder" bringing water to the reservoir at Rudyard.  As a result it is narrow and currently heavily overgrown.  It feels a bit like exploring the upper reaches of the Orinoco or some other far flung river.

Very near the top of the branch is the Leek Tunnel.  Very short as canal tunnels go only 118m (130 yards) but as tunnels go one of the best we have encountered.  No water leaking through the roof, dead straight, well finished inside and no awkward angles for entry and exit.

The blip shows the view as we neared the exit.  The reflection at times made you imagine the canal ahead was closed.  There wasn't far to go before boats of our length 17.5m (58 feet) needed to turn round, but it was worth doing.   We had never "done" the Leek branch before despite having visited the Caldon a number of times before. 

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