Last minute briefing.

Soon after 9:00am we set oof towards the tunnel.  On arriving there was no queue and we learned there was another boat 20 minutes ahead of us.  This is bad news as usually that means you have to wait until it exits (another 20 to 25 minutes) then wait for the convoy from the other direction (another 45 minutes).  We were most surprised when the Lock Keeper/Tunnel Keeper said we could go straight in after he had given us the obligatory safety briefing.  I assume this was because there were no boats queueing at the other side.

Katkatkat steered Solace through the tunnel extremely well and this was her first attempt at a long tunnel (2926 yards 1.5 miles or 2.4 Km).   The transit takes 40 - 45 minutes and she managed the trip brilliantly.   Soon after the tunnel we started on the locks again.  Locks are for at least 3 of us the main reason for being on the canal. We tied up for the night near the Broughton Arms at Rode Heath where we again met F.  This time he had brought O rings of the right size in fact as he said (I have brought 2 as you always drop one in the canal or something".