Day 5 - Wednesday December 20th - Longport Wharf to Wheelock 10 miles 3 furlongs, 26 locks, 6 hours 20 minutes Weather - Sunshine
Kicked off early this morning (7.15am), as we wanted to be at the tunnel entrance in plenty of time for the start of operations. Arrived there at 7.45am, to find one other boat moored on the offside, but no signs of life. The tunnel keeper said they were booked for a passage through the tunnel this morning, but until they moved over to the towpath side they weren't in the queue. We were dispatched into the tunnel at precisely 8.30am and were out at the north end of the tunnel by 9.05am. Chris was kept very busy locking Arun down the Cheshire locks, not having the confidence to steer Arun into a lock yet. Passed Mountbatten & Jellicoe this afternoon, moored somewhere around Thurlwood. Diesel advertised at 45ppl, but we didn't stop because I still have most of a tank full. Cleared the bottom of the Wheelock flight at 2.15pm, and, after mooring up, went looking for some liquid refreshment. The Cheshire Cheese was shut when we got there, so we walked along a bit further and had three in the Nags Head. Back to the boat for a kip and some supper (Red Thai Chicken curry), before heading back to the Cheshire Cheese for some more beer. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Wheelock
