In order to keep the Canal & River Trust happy that we are fitting in with our licence conditions, all Hazel guests have to have a trip. While Forget me Not is out of action this has to be human powered. We bowhaul a short way then throw the line onboard and the boat is shafted past the towpath blockage. This is where, 22 years ago, the retaining wall became unsafe so they tipped in truckloads of stone to support it. Since then, as I understand it, the waterway authority and the local authority have been unable to agree about who is responsible for repairing it.
Anyway, at the end of this the boat reaches the Asda tunnel. The shafter lays down their implement and lies on their back to stretch up and walk upside down along the roof (not easy, especially when the water is low). We use an old chair on its back to help support the legger. Beyond the tunnel a bit more shafting is required as the towpath has been closed off to make a nature area. Then it's back to bowhauling under the railway bridge and past the Sea Cadet moorings to the winding hole at Eli Whalley's. We wind there and repeat the process in reverse.
