Thursday 6th July

Slaithwaite to Marsden

Up at 8 ready for 8.30, but the boat in front beat us to it and went first. The first section through Slaithwaite has some single file sections, due to it having been filled in after closure.

Passed the Empire brewery next to the lock in Slaithwaite with the guillotine bottom gate. We've yet to see any of their beers for sale.

Made good progress but were surprised to find that all the locks were empty. This turned out to be due to most of the bottom lock gates leaking.

Arrived at the appointed place, which is the last winding hole before Marsden and there is also a reservoir here . There was only one other boat here when we arrived.

Walked to the Olive Branch on the main road, which is now more of a restaurant than a pub, although they had one beer on a handpump it didn't seem to on. We had a starter for lunch as we only had 45 minutes. The portion was large and we were given bread with it so we were satisfied, and the quality was very good.

Headed back to the boat in time for our escorted passage up the last 11 locks. The second lock is very narrow and Ben, who was our escort, paid careful attention. He suggested that having got through that we must be able to fit through the tunnel.

This last section of canal is very pretty and we got through without any serious problems. We moored at the top, half under the minor road bridge by Marsden station. We were told that we could move up to the tunnel mouth moorings at 4pm, which is when the visitor centre closes.

Andrew arrived by car shortly after.
Later we walked up the canal to get to The Tunnel End Inn. When we heard a train go over the canal near the tunnel we decided that we would not want to spend the night there.

We heard from another boater who had already spent a night there, that although the Tunnel End Inn didn't advertise food on a Thurday evening, if you asked and she realised that you were a boater, they would do something for you. Sure enough when we did we were offered most things off the menu. To make her life easier we all opted for the Steak and Ale Pie.

Then we went to have a look round the town. We found the Riverhead Brewery Tap, which had a large selection of its own beers. Later on in the evening what sounded like the local Morris band was rehearsing upstairs.