Cruising The 1.6 Mile Scary Harecastle Tunnel - Narrowboat Living in Stone

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Would you chug through the Scarecastle Tunnel?
In this week's video we (Tim and Sam) cruise from Kidsgrove to Stone on the Trent and Mersey Canal. We chug through the Harecastle tunnel and past famous potteries in Stoke on Trent.
We are on a long narrowboat journey to London. Subscribe for more videos about life on the canal.
Keep chugging!

[@laureldreinking]

Congratulations for having been featured in those important publications!

[@rotinkerbell]

I know SoT and Stone so well, it was lovely to have a little peek at them. You both look well and happy. xx

[@abigailhowes5944]

The red canal water is due to a high level of iron oxide that leached out of the mines in the area. There are a number of mines that were on side arms on the canel close to the Harecastle tunnel.

[@chuggingalong]

Ah thank you Abigail. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Hi Tim and Sam it was so good to speak to you fellow KZbinrs at the Boat Life Live show at the NEC as I was waiting to board that fantastic wide beam. I hope you had a great time. I met quite a few Tubers so it was a great day. Cheers Alan

[@chuggingalong]

Great to meet you too Alan!

[@eekee6034]

I want to take up wood carving and rent a workshop in Stone... No, I don't. ;) I saw your article in the Tillergraph. :) It was fun to see the mouse running. Don't see enough of the little creatures. Well, I do see robins. Keep chugging!

[@cpfudeak]

My aunt lives opposite middleport pottery, literally the other side of the canal! I grew up along that stretch of canal terrorising the geese and ducks!

[@nickevans1698]

Thanks Guys, we are cruising the 4 counties ring in May the other direction from you guys starting at Bunbury. Your vlog gave us some good places for stop overs. 😎👍🏼

[@dallassukerkin6878]

Welcome to Stone :waves and smiles: And congrats on your debut in the printed media! :) Great to hear local Midland accents on the KZbinz :chuckles: and, on the water colour question, it is my understanding it will be down to iron ore in the regions geology.

[@lindabiglowe3135]

Nice memories of an interesting journey, a very relaxing and enjoyable day . Thanks Tim and Sam.

[@chuggingalong]

It was a good day

[@ruaidhrikathygill8833]

Nice Vlog. Loved that Tim’s parents were able to enjoy a cruise. Tim’s father looked very at home at the tiller. The canal side home are beautiful. Thank you. 😊

[@chuggingalong]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@julieanneroberts4752]

Congrats on your mags features 📰🤩👏🙌 That tunnel was very scary 🙈 Jon did another good job at the tiller and Linda on the locks 🙌 Keeeeeep chugging 😘😘

[@jonbiglowe3664]

Some nice driving by Papa Jon! I'm glad Tim didn't make me drive through the tunnel though.

[@chuggingalong]

😂

[@NorthernNarrowboaters]

Nice yes see parents enjoying it

[@johnallen148]

Hi Sam Tim,yes the coloured water is because of the mines the water gets into the canals other end of tunnel is a different colour ,looks like Dad is enjoying himself on the tiller is that your mum Tim ,so nice to see the old industrial building so old .i guess Mum&. Dad would look after your boat if you went on Holiday he quite capable of looking after it ,it would be a second honeymoon for them lol 😆,Tim I would have thought you would have stopped at the Wedgwood factory to buy some new plates lol that house for sale with its own mooring was on cruising the cut it was a excellent blog take a look at it David put it over fist class,the owner is dieting he is on borrowed time the things that he is leaving there is unbelievable the workshops are full of very interesting tools ,take a look if you already haven’t,well guys great blog till next time take care keep safe,john 🙏😆🌹👏💐💐♥️🥃🥃🤷🏼🤷‍♀️

[@emmm5713]

You guys are awesome! :) hugs and stay safe.

[@chuggingalong]

Thank you Emm, keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@downhilltwofour0082]

A lovely trip and so nice to see your Parents. I would imagine they are very proud and happy of you!

[@chuggingalong]

Very kind of you to say that Downhill

[@christiansegarra1981]

So guys...when did you record this vlog? The trees are all green and outside the Crown and Anchor are what looks like potted pansies. Definetly not winter plants. Here in Minnesota we have no leaves, tons of snow and this morning the temp was 16 below farenheit. Brrrrrr! You have a great series and congrats for getting on the magazines. Thanks for sharing.

[@travelfox4820]

Thanks for that , bit nervy on that tunnel yea your right keep chucking

[@davethenerd1369]

I'm going to let you in on a secret. Please don't tell anyone. The water is that colour because Willy Wonka's chocolate factory is nearby and that is the outflow. Or, there is iron oxide in the groundwater which leeches into the canal. You can see the same on the Bridgewater

[@chuggingalong]

Ah out of those 2 it must be Willy Wonka then 😂🍫 Thanks for your comment as always Dave 😁

[@alicewilson1874]

That pie and chips looked delicious, great trip thanks

[@chuggingalong]

Thank you very much Alice. Keep Chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@richcolgate8929]

Great vlog !! Loved the tunnel ! Looked exciting,…. Great filming guys and good pub suggestions 👍👍

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Rich, glad you enjoyed the video. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@billyslide7645]

As always a very nice and fun video. I’m buying lottery tickets so I can buy that house for Cruising the Cut 😉. I’m now going to think of your boat as “Mary L, the Mouse”, after seeing that cute Grey field mouse pace the boat. Cheers

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Billy. Well done for noticing the mouse, it was really fast 🐭 Keep Chugging

[@rebap123]

Congratulations on your two articles! Praise, well deserved... Have been watching from the beginning and you're always a pleasure to spend time with. Best of luck in the weeks to come....spring is coming soon! (Wisconsin, USA)

[@chuggingalong]

Thank you very much for sticking by us 😁👍👍🏾 Keep chugging

[@davidmonkman6677]

living it up in downtown Stoke on trent ..how the other half live I am very jealous!! Keep on chugging

[@chuggingalong]

😂 Thanks David. Hope you're well. Keep chugging

[@1dkappe]

Nice way to spend some time with the parents. Will Sam’s relatives be making an appearance as well?

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Dietrich, yes they will be soon 😁 Keep chugging

[@Hercules718]

Hii. Wow. Nice cruise. Those Industrial Age buildings are the coolest I have ever seen. Just like going back hundreds of years. Scarecastle Tunnel was cool and scary too. Thank you for your unique canal perspective !

[@chuggingalong]

Thank you Sunny for your comment. Keep Chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@goprocaz4019]

Loving your videos 👍

[@chuggingalong]

Really glad you're enjoying them. Thank you and keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@nancinowlen3043]

What a delightful trip. Thank you for taking us along

[@davidbutler4363]

Brilliant vlog guys loved it thanks 😁👍👏👏👏

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks for your comment David as always, glad you enjoyed it. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@maobfh]

Oh, that was very nice! Sorry I missed the tunnel. I blinked and you were done. Backed it up and tried again and THE SAME THING HAPPENED!! At EXACTLY the same place. It was the strangest thing. But I have seen David from cruising the cut go through and Michael on Perseverance go through (though Jo walked George over the top of the hill that the tunnel goes through and met him on the other side. Gary, Captain Phillips took us through on Chug a Bug and then there was someone else! Was it Kevin on Aslan? Nutshell? Robbie Cummings? Oh, how embarrassing! I will remember at about 0300 my time or 0800 your time. Possibly right after I hit send.

[@chuggingalong]

😂 Thanks Rebecca. The walk around the tunnel looks like it will take longer

[@maryannelee7534]

Tim, your father looks so comfortable at the tiller. Maybe your parents will get their own narrowboat? I loved "The Great Pottery Throwdown"! Thanks for sharing your adventures. Watching from Massachusetts, USA.

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Maryanne, their house is a bit too far away from the canal system sadly. They wouldn't live on a narrowboat full time because my Dad likes his model railways too much 😁 Thanks for your comment. Keep chugging

[@georgedamerum7414]

@@chuggingalong So your dad and I have something in common then.

[@TheMissbehaven1]

been off line a bit catching up...missed you all!

[@chuggingalong]

Welcome back! Keeeeep Chugging

[@barriesmith2064]

Hi Tim & Sam, we did the scare castle tunnel last week, our overnight stop was at The Plume of Feathers, highly recommended. Great vlogs, carry on the good work!

[@chuggingalong]

Hi Barrie, glad to hear that it's a good pub! Thanks for your comment. Keep chugging 😂👍👍🏾

[@cpfudeak]

When you guys pass stenson marina, give us a wave!

[@PondweedSJ23]

One day we will get back to the UK. I think you should visit more pubs! What is you favorite Sherry?

[@chuggingalong]

Hi Pondweed, we like Harvey's. Yes more pubs is always a good idea. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@shierahall2686]

Great vid as usual.... Sam , maybe you should be in a padded room- talking to animals!!! hehehe! Soon you guys will be to famous for little old me. Stay safe Xx

[@chuggingalong]

Haha! She can could hold an hour long conversation with an ant 😂👍👍🏾

[@drewski363]

I love the video.

[@GamesDiddley]

See ya Carl!

[@penneynoss9552]

Hi Tim and Sam, thank you for taking the time to share the village with us. I always enjoy touring them with you. Tim your parents look right at home, is a boat in there future ☺️. Just curious what speed do you go through the tunnel? Can you go faster or do you slow down? Hope you have a great week.

[@chuggingalong]

Hi Penney, we went quite slow, we're guessing 2.5-3mph. Glad you enjoyed it 😁👍👍🏾 Keep chugging

[@newyorknewart]

WHEW... SO GLAD THE TUNNEL MONSTERS DIDN'T GET YOU THAT TRIP! (RUMOR HAS IT, MANY BOATS HAVE FLOATED IN... AND NEVER FLOATED OUT...) SHHHH, IT'S A CRT SECRET X-FILE STUDY... I AM SURE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO AN ADORABLE COUPLE LIKE YOU...😳🥵🥴😵‍💫😬😎

[@davexvs]

yup the kit crew boggart

[@chuggingalong]

😂😂

[@fp30e]

(formally fp30e0 Hi Sam, Tim, I loved your Vlog as always. Really interesting. Those long tunnels, I'm not too sure about them for me, I know there is one worse than the Hardcastle with bends and jaggered edges, are you due to go through that? The CTR man's explaining the safety procedure was impressive. Tim's Dad looked the part at the Tiller. Your Pie and Chips looked so delish. Always love the stats at the end. Stone looked very nice. Thank you for another great Vlog

[@chuggingalong]

Really glad you enjoyed it, Stone is a great town. Can we call you SB instead now? 😂 👍👍🏾 Keep chugging

[@fp30e]

@@chuggingalong Hi, SB it is. Thank you very much.😃

[@veesimmons2464]

Congratulations on your print fame!

[@chuggingalong]

Thank you very much Vee. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@roseprosser3930]

I hate going through Harecastle tunnel, I hid in the cabin and stick my nose in a book and don’t look up until we get out the other end. Unfortunately we have to do it again this year as I want to do the 4 counties link for our holiday 😫😫

[@chuggingalong]

Ah I see 😅 The alternative is quite a long walk. Thanks for your comment Rose. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@BarnabyDuke]

The brown colour comes from rust from one of the two disused tunnels

[@stephenbowker824]

Iron ore but not unique Bridgewater canal around Worsley is the same some years ago they built a system to pump the water through reed beds to remove the colour it worked at first but failed 😞. Keep chugging 👍👍🖐🖐NB Fiddlesticks.

[@chuggingalong]

Ah that's interesting. Thanks for the comment Stephen. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@paulcawdell2548]

There is a canal that leads into the sea, Bude canal cornwall

[@jasonyoung2121]

Wedgwood paid for the Trent, and Mersey Canal, so he could despatch his products to Liverpool, and Hull. Because by stagecoach they did not make the journey.

[@chuggingalong]

Ah! That makes sense! Thanks for your comment Jason. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@jonathanleonard1152]

When doing segments with horizontal camera movement please pan slower. Also consider using higher frame rate.

[@mattphillips9107]

They should lower the water in the middle of the tunnel! 😂 Nice work, thanks guys 👍

[@philroberts7238]

It's amazing what a difference an emoji makes to the sense (or otherwise) of a comment!

[@chuggingalong]

😂

[@johnworboys6435]

I think that the brown water is caused by the amount of salt mines in the area pumping out the flood water from the mines 😎😎😎

[@chuggingalong]

Makes sense. Thanks for your comment John. Keep Chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@georgedamerum7414]

So what's the connection with Mary L and LidL? "Sherry Baby!"

[@chuggingalong]

😂

[@karldubhe8619]

The water's that colour due to iron in the water. Right? Here's hoping you get to London on schedule.

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Karl 😁👍👍🏾 Keep chugging

[@baitcommajail]

One of the best garden moorings you’ve seen? What’s better? Or even as good?

[@chuggingalong]

There's a lot of really good ones on the Shropshire Union Canal :) Very rural canal. Keep chugging

[@timblackwood1531]

Nice video but the OATCAKES are a Stoke food not a Stone food they are from within stoke-on-trent and are not usually found in other cities. Although they are known as Staffordshire oatcakes as well 😎👍👍👍

[@melbeasley9762]

Cruising the Cut made the Hardcastle look quite terrifying, but it now doesn't seem to be. I hope you saw the video I sent you a link to of that lock on the Panama Canal?

[@chuggingalong]

Hi Mel, yes, we saw it thank you! Might need a bigger windlass for that 😂 Hope you're well. Keep chugging

[@melbeasley9762]

@@chuggingalong Just imagine if you did have to do it by hand!

[@briannewsam3861]

The rust coloured water leaks out of the old tunnel

[@laureldreinking]

Have you thought about getting a drone? Would it be cost prohibitive? Would there be too many restrictions in flying the drone?

[@garylydement5020]

Tim looked like Frodo going through that tunnel

[@abbieb2439]

That was some serious prep from Carl. I would have felt tense. How long did it take You to to travel through the tunnel?

[@chuggingalong]

About 45 mins

[@dbaldock9]

The water is rust coloured, due to the canal passing through the iron and mineral layers of the tunnel.

[@johnworboys6435]

Wrong it's the salt mines at Nantwich like the salt that's put on the roads in winter a coppery brown in colour

[@alanjameson8664]

Opaque red water might be from iron or tannin.

[@chuggingalong]

Good to know. Thanks Alan. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@anydayanytimegarretts4400]

💙💛💙💛💙💛

[@drjulesd]

It's orange due to iron oxides leaching into the canal

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Jules. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@sharonprinz5745]

😆

[@jessgibson4790]

Iron mines, Tim.

[@chuggingalong]

Thanks Jess. Keep chugging 😁👍👍🏾

[@migranthawker2952]

Sorry, but there's nothing scary about it!!!