Extracts from letter home written on Wednesday night 28-04-93

Harecastle Tunnel Stoke-on Trent side, Wednesday night.

It's 8.00pm and I am sitting at the front of the boat in the tunnel cutting
(actually it's 3 tunnels).  Mike and I went exploring while waiting for this 
evenings food, Steve's turn, and found the old disused rail tunnel.  We entered
and went in some way until it became quite dark, with our arms locked together
in case one of us dropped into a hole in the drainage channel. 

We returned to the boat to get a torch but Steve's curry was ready, one of the best yet,
followed by fruit cake, all with half a glass of wine each!  That really has been
the main problem on the holiday, the lack or non existence of pubs or drink/food shops.

It's still 55 f now after a really hot day, I have kept myself well covered but
still feel sunburnt on my face.  We pushed on hard today so that Martin, Colin and
myself could experience going through the tunnel, we turn here, but now we will
have to work hard on the Macclesfield Canal to make up time.

Mobile phones won't work here so unless I find a box no call tonight.

The only noise is coming from the tunnel entrance, the sound of water falling
from the roof of the tunnel and the barking of the keepers dog.

Adrian is fine just seems to eat more than ever.  Moral is high and the crew
are very relaxed.  Mike has unwound and Colin is fitting in well, I hope he is
enjoying himself but I feel the shortage of beer worries him.  All the usual
stuff and banter, the nice weather helps and I have had more time to enjoy the trip.
Today I have been waited on hand and foot, not been near the Kitchen at all.
Leaving the dishes was a good idea, Martin did the washing up today.

Microwaves a dead loss today, so what's new, not a ping from a beacon, just the
usual hiss.  Why do we bother to bring all this gear?

Radios useful when locking and Steve has packet radio - computer messages to
you and me.

A gathering is forming this end of the boat with a view to search out a pub
at the top of the hill, so I will post this tonight if I can.

Ed:Post script

We did find a pub, though the long walk to it gave us great concern for Colin, the 
hill climb was really hard for him and we had to stop several times.
We found a small village ? called Chell (?little or great) I think and enjoyed
a few.  Problem is after a big meal just can't manage as many as I would like.
Looking at Google maps today (2008)I cannot locate exactly where we went, the
area has changed somewhat since our visit.  Anybody got the pub name/ address?