Was it diesel or was it effluent?

After breakfast it was walking shoes on, give Jade an extra painkiller tablet and set of for Standedge tunnel. Not knowing if or when we could go through the tunnel because of the pollution we thought the 2 mile hike to the top would be well worth it. On route the river ran right next to the towpath so we just had to let Jade have another paddle.

 We soon came to the site of the stoppage, above lock 23 and right by the facilities. Pads of absorbent material had been placed on the water, which in my opinion, was no use nor ornament.

Didn't look much like diesel at first, more like affluent from a pump out. The pump out point was a few yards away.

Still didn't look like diesel to me!

This did though but that was by lock 22.

We continued up the flight greeting the local fisherman who had set up residence on every pound except one.

small mirror carp

Not a good photo but have included it because it is so rare to catch a Barbel in a canal!

At lock 26 we found out why the fisherman decided against fishing this pound. Seems it ran out of water. Why the other pounds are okay and this one wasn't can only be due to leakage through the lock gates.

 

But you begin to see why when this sort of damage is done by allowing boats to run forward. 

The views going further up toward the tunnel was getting more and more spectacular and just beyond lock 3o was a geat cafe to stop and enjoy a cup of tea or a bacon buttie. We plumped for an ice cream each and a cone for Jade.

At the furthest point we got to the tunnel This is where we hope to take FS through if the lock is reopened on Wednesday. Uncannily, while we were at the tunnel mouth, Ian got a phone call from John (Nb Still Waters) that the lock restrictions have been lifted and so we could go on to moor near the top. On the way back we had a discussion of whether to go today or leave tomorrow. Apparently only 2 boats are booked in so if we phone tomorrow and get to the tunnel by 11.30am we may make that passage. Not sure what to do as Ian wants to look at the museum first.

FS moored and Jade very relieved to be home. It was a long 4 miles for her but she made it and I think quite enjoyed it.

Well decision made, we are going up tonight. We still encountered  problems but that's a tale for tomorrow.