No wind, no rain, no sun either

Thursday 23^rd May 2013

All the weather reports were saying it; the CaRT people were concerned about it – so much so that they were contemplating cancelling the upward passage across the Ribble; so who were we to dispute all of that.

The rains and the winds were coming by mid to late morning and we wanted to be at the top of the locks ready for a Friday pumpout – this was on her-indoors master plan – so it simply had to be done.

We woke and the waves outside from last night had subsided; not too much damage to boats, building or trees – well actually there was none.

So after a quick breakfast we prepared the boat and we left the Glasson basin.

With all of the locks set for us – 4 out of the 6 locks had bottom gates that wouldn’t stay closed on an empty lock and the last two locks seemingly always empty we made quick smart time up to a mooring spot around on the Lancaster proper – all done before 9:30am.

What then happened didn’t please either of us – the bloody sun came out and we were bathed in warm sunshine – would have been nice when the cruising was going on.

Anyway, it has felt like two days today – a day’s worth of cruising and being moored up early we have had a full day being still as well.

Vindication for our movement had to wait until just after 2:30pm when the heavens decided it was time to rain down – and reasonably heavy as well – but we were fine – having retraced our steps from yesterday, we were snug inside the boat – even if it did smell a little fishy from the kippers for lunch.

3 miles, 6 locks
 
Totals: 1714 Miles, 1306 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 131 Swing Bridges

Locks, wind and kippers

Wednesday 22^nd May 2013

What are these lock things again – it is so long since we have had to do these – Diane wanted to do most of these but we fell into a routine of mooring the boat on the lock landing and doing them together.

It started off pretty easy...

then it got a bit harder...

...then she was a bit tuckered out and needed the rest

 

Such was the strength of the wind today that this was the only thing that made sense – it would simply have been next to impossible to hold the boat in the middle of the canal.

This boat didn't help anyone - mooring up at the lock landing -
fortunately we were going down the locks - dread to think how
difficult it would be going up with them right there !!

We made it into the basin at Glasson and followed advice we had received – this was all new for us – and to head left to the visitor moorings – all occupied – so wouldn’t be mooring there.

The right hand side was all long term moorings – so not there.

We had seen a mooring point with bollards just on the right at the start of the basin so we did a 180 and moored up there – fortunately the wind was right at our back and whilst we didn’t find it easy it was manageable and more to the point it was straight sided, so we could tie up tight against the side – magic – and a water point just 20 meters away.
 
The tidal part of the River Lune, the same Lune that we saw in Lancaster, meanders it’s way around the Glasson docks.

the far gate is the sea lock onto the tidal Lune; in the foreground
is the lock into the basin

If it was possible the wind seemed to increase in strength – but true to form we thought that we should have a bit of a wander around the area to see what was about – we were under the impression that there was only the two pubs down here but we also found a very nice café, a small general store and a smokehouse (after finding we remembered someone had told us about it). Naturally we gravitated firstly to the smokehouse and left with a nice bag of goodies including kippers, mackerel and cheese – all to be given a try sometime very soon.

Port of Lancaster Smokehouse - don't miss it if you are here

Next we stepped inside the café for lunch – very lovely fish and chips – can highly recommend this to anyone coming here.

The marina - yachts only - more money here than our boat cost

out for a stroll - or more likely an escape - sheep on the run

Finally we also needed to find the Glasson Basin Marina – amongst other things a pumpout card was required for the visit that we planned on Friday morning to the Galgate marina – the card is for their pumpout system. I should hasten to add that the cards are also available at Galgate – only problem is that the office is only open 10am to 1pm.

Moored up safe and sound, but still being rocked a bit  by the
waves

getting a bit choppy indeed

 

Back to the boat for some work for me and Diane to navigate through the multitude of things that she has to do – some of which were thought about, I am sure, but not so sure that any got done – no problems, there is always tomorrow and then the day after that.
 
3 miles, 6 locks

Totals: 1711 Miles, 1300 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 131 Swing Bridges

The Lune

Tuesday 21^st May 2013

As part of the master plan from management we have found time to travel down the Glasson branch and visit the docks area at the end of this branch – this little side journey helps to fill in the time necessary for a decent pumpout – I think it also fills in some time to check out a couple more pubs at the end of the line – can’t so no to that.

But for today it was a nice day for a cruise – initially it was cloudy and we felt a little chilly, but it didn’t take long before the sun was out and we were feeling quite warm.

We had set aside some time to stop and do some admiring of the magnificent Lune Aquaduct over the Lune River – opened in 1797 it has stood the test of time – no just a practical engineering feat, it shows a architectural style of some magnitude.

The Lune Aquaduct from river level

... and from the top

 

it also makes a nice backdrop - these two just had to be in
the picture

 

 

It was through Lancaster itself again and then further on through some wooded cuttings which still managed to allow bright sunlight through.

Lancaster and the castle and church

 

This certainly was a brilliant cruising day – and may there be just a few more of them to come.

sunny or what !

Just a bit concerned about the cows suggesting rain

 

the towpath was still quite muddy - so hopefully it will dry
out in the sunshine

 

We finally moored up after watering at Galgate – sneaking a 55’ boat into a 54’ 11” space between a cruiser and a hire boat – only just nudging the latter a little bit – surprisingly they both move along after a short time.

10 miles, 1 swing bridge

Totals: 1708 Miles, 1294 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 131 Swing Bridges

To the end and back again

Sunday 19^th May to Monday 20^th May 2013

With only a few miles to the end of the Lancaster canal it would be a pity not to see that through; as well as this last final bit of cruising we also needed to fill with water; so waiting for a boat to complete their water fill we prepared the boat for the off – when they were ready we gently edged out only to have to hold our position as they decided to wind right in front of us – could not believe it!!

Anyway we pulled into the water point; attached the hose and started when a hire boat approached from the other way – they breasted up and we had a good chat whilst the water flowed – always nice to meet others and with time of little importance, it is amazing how quickly it seems to pass.

We were soon away and heading northwards – the M6 imposed itself on the canal after just a couple of miles; after that it was a case of the canal reminding us just how shallow it is – seemingly more so that we had been used to.

The countryside is still pretty amazing

Without much fuss we reached the terminus and found a reasonable mooring spot between two narrowboats – seems less cruisers at the end than further back. Our stern was out a bit from the bank, but as we have now got used to, the plank came out and it came into it’s own yet again.

We had a short walk up to the first of the Tewitfield locks before checking out the Longlands pub for a Sunday lunch; Diane also checked out the farm shop and associated craft shops just across the road.

The marina at Tewitfield

The terminus

The menu was too good to resist, so we dropped Banjo back on board and headed back for an extended lunch.

Just to attempt to wear away a few of those extra calories from lunch we took an evening stroll to the end of the locks and the end point of the northern reaches canal section before it hit the M6 again – seems as though it was just on the border between Lancashire and Cumbria.



 

 

This is the end of the northern reaches locked section -
just on the top left area you might see the Cumbria sign from above

 

The regeneration of this canal to Kendall benefits from the locks all being ready for gates to be hung, but there is an awful lot of other work to be done to finish the job – but there is a plan and enthusiasm to get it done – not sure we will be around to see it.

The locks are still intact - just need the gates and paddle gear
and they are operational

 

 

You can see just how close this canal runs to the M6

 

The mooring whilst pretty close to the passing M6 traffic, it was rather quiet – we are continuing to be amazed at the insulation we get from the double glazing and the foam wall lining paper – so as a consequence we slept soundly.

We had sat down the previous night to nut out some type of schedule we needed to get ourselves back in time for the return Ribble crossing; as well as that we also needed to schedule in another pumpout and a diesel fill and also being able to stop in places that we wanted to either see again or see for the first time – each place being of interest.

just a kid at heart

This schedule did involve us leaving this morning and heading back towards and past Carnforth to moor up at Bolton-le-Sands.

With more time we would have found spending more time at the terminus a realistic alternative to leaving, but we were away – just taking it rather sedately – the depth of the canal dictating the speed which was comfortable for us.

Do these cows know anything about the impending weather
that we should know?

railway viaduct

A quick stop at Carnforth to restock the larder – things on the list had missed the cut for the previous shop – just a day or so earlier.

On our way northwards about 4 days ago we saw a couple of pontoons which had been put in – one near bridge 23 and the other just by bridge 24 – these were for the use of the water  bus which operates along here – but this year doesn’t start until the end of May – so we decided to moor just south of bridge 24 – no problems getting close to the edge.

After getting some work done – a good days effort for today, so happy with that, we were off for a “short” walk to the seaside – Diane then suggested and bit of a round trip via Hest Bank, and a nutrition stop at The Shore Café (where we had been previously).

not bad eh! - a cottage by the seaside

not your average beach with white sand

Back along the towpath and the “short” walk of 5 miles was thankfully over – for Banjo – he collapsed on the floor, once inside – we were off to the pub, which fortunately had its entrance from the towpath only a few yards from the boat – The Royal.

Not much else of any  note to report on after this – thankfully – we joined the dog and collapsed as well !!

9 miles
 
Totals: 1698 Miles, 1294 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 130 Swing Bridges

Silent Sunday 9