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

Train vs Bus

Saturday 18^th May 2013

With the prospect of heavy rain for today, we thought about doing something better than just spending it on the boat and in the pub.

What could be better than a train journey to Barrow-in-Furness – everytime I hear the name I think of the Monty Python Election Night Special sketch and I think it is a cat that wins the election in Barrow.

Nevertheless we bought our tickets and sought out the famous clock in the film “Brief Encounter” and the tea rooms which have been restored as they looked in the film.

It was a bit like stepping back in time and it seemed all too appropriate to be partaking in some refreshments before we caught the train – no rush at all.

We presented ourselves onto Platform 2 and whilst we waited a short walk along the platform yielded a steam locomotive being started up in the yards – not sure of the name of the train but it was mighty impressive.

The journey itself was very enjoyable; the scenery was impressive and within an hour we were there – Barrow-in-Furness – where is that cat?

As a place, Barrow leaves the strong impression of a town in trouble – boarded up and empty shops; many charity shops and a general feeling of not going anywhere – I don’t think that the rain helped either.

We did a bit a walking around and could see some signs of jobs creation, but still seems that it will take a lot to bring Barrow back to a brighter place.

This fellow, a borzoi, had the run of the pub where
we dropped in for a drink - here he is asleep on one
of the seats

After some lunch we slowly wandered back to the station for the return journey – we wish we had walked more quickly and caught the earlier train, because by the time we reached there the flashing message against the train was “BUS” – the train route is very direct; the panorama of the trip into Barrow was that the road would hardly compete with this – we expected a much longer trip and we were hardly surprised.

A 54 minute train trip became a 2 hour trip by bus – and a bit harem-scarem at that as well.

We were both glad to step off the bus and make our way back to the boat and an excited Banjo who had been such a good boy for the day – out of the boat quick smart for some relief.

There was also a need to run the engine to charge the batteries; but most enjoyable was sitting comfortably and putting our feet up.

Diane relaxed a bit more with Dr Who and of course Eurovision was on as well – for me, I can do without them both!!

What we need is what we need

Wednesday 15^th May to Friday 17^th May 2013

The life of a boater is not governed by the weather, despite how bad it can be; nor is it presupposed by the location of the next pub (that is with the exception of people only out for a week or two); nor is it controlled by unexpected stoppages – the things that affect us more than anything else are – where is the next pumpout (or elsan); the next water point; and the next diesel location.

Whilst we have had more than enough water points and place to get rid of the contents of the grey black tank, the number of sources of diesel are very sadly lacking.

Our preparations in making the trip across the Ribble were a little bit rushed and we didn’t fill the diesel tank and the spare fuel cans and so we reached the point where it was of concern to one of the crew.

With a half-full tank I was not in any worry that we would easily make it to the end of the canal at Tewitfield and then back to the Moons Bridge Marina (a total of about 40 miles from our location) – the other half was a bit worried and was thinking of little else.

We set off from Lancaster on Wednesday in some drizzling rain; we were ready to move – well the grey black tank was ready to be emptied and the management was worried about that as well – with the pumpout station just a 100 metres away we were off and I must say it was a very heavy duty pump – the tank was emptied in no time at all, a good rinse out as well and all was well; a full water tank as well, but the precipitation persisted.

Just a short cruise up to Morecombe and then onto Hest Bank – this is the closest that the canal actually comes to the seaside and the mooring were reputedly quite good – we were now comfortable in mooring up with our stern a little away from the side – in this instance we simply used the plank again.

The view afforded us a chance to see the bay from the dinette.

We set off after lunch to explore the seaside and wandered into Morecombe – I say wandered but it was almost a military rout march – 3 miles in total (one way) – of course there was the little subject of the 3 miles back again.

looking towards Morecombe

and back in the other direction

not so sure about the dress code for this church

the rains are coming

I know the one on the right but who is the ring-in on the left

Needless to say that there were 2 very tired souls that night – Diane and Banjo just sort of flaked out completely. Banjo was so tired he barely raised his head at mealtime.

Thursday was a chance to have a slightly shorter walk – just 3 mile round trip to the Happy Mount Park – a pleasant enough place for families to allow their brood to wear themselves out silly – we did it again to Banjo – the poor old fellow that he is – really in the pensioner class.

Happy Mount Park

looking across Morecombe - though at this time of the day
it was more like Morecombe mud flats

Friday and we  decided to take notice of the TV weather reports and with it being a bright sunny day from them and even looking outside in the morning we ventured off for the short cruise up to Carnforth.

across the bay whilst we cruise through Bolton-le-Sands

Once again I think we appear to have been just in the right place at the right time and moved into the last place – and right outside the pub – The Canal Turn – which of course we looked into later in the day.

Firstly though there was shopping to be done.

We were in two minds after that – right next to the pub was a petrol station, an answer to our diesel situation (even at a slightly higher price) and just a little walk away was an equipment hire place that sold red diesel at a much better price – we decided on the latter and we purchased 40 litres and the lady of the boat was feeling much better indeed.

So we will settle here for another day or so and continue to take it easy – tomorrow, who knows what will bring – rain we suspect and also according to the reports.

8 miles, 1 swing bridge

Totals: 1689 Miles, 1294 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 130 Swing Bridges

Weather - Bah Humbug - harder to pick than a broken nose

Saturday 11^th May to Tuesday 14^th May 2013

I am blaming Diane’s phone and the weather forescasting apps that she has – neither of them seem to understand that we want to cruise along in sunny conditions, little or no wind and just really pleasant.

What’s happened to it all?

Just a week ago it was shorts and t-shirt conditions – the sight of Paul’s legs in the new bright blue crocs is now becoming a memory – it is now back to coats, scarves and gloves.

The main problem we are experiencing and struggling with is the fact that the ability to moor up is confined to those areas designated as mooring spots – the rest are either banks where you couldn’t possibly get close and others with nice straight sides where you definitely cannot get close because it is too shallow.

Couple this with the need to be exact in your steering or one side of the boat rears itself as you run in the soft mud and it becomes a bit a chore sometimes.

Having said that, the scenery is truly lovely and worth the effort; a combination of many of the other canals that we have been along over the past two years, but all in one waterway.

We spent just the one night at Garstang but enjoyed this town and will be calling in on the way back; we did find some excellent moorings at Galgate – we managed to get both front and back into the side, but apart from a couple of pubs and a few other shops there is not a lot there, but the area still is quite lovely.

The bridge over the River Wyre - truly magnificent

We had a bit of a look at the top lock of the Glasson flight, but so far declined to venture down into the dock area.

When the Lancaster was opened to steel craft the locals must
have reeled in horror - but it was a boom for fenders sales

Further on to Lancaster and again with an eye on all of the weather reports we will spend two nights here – sadly the day that we thought it was going to pour down turned out to be bright and sunny – but we did get to do a tour of the castle – now a closed down prison and a still active courthouse – resisted the need to be locked in the dungeon.

Lancaster Castle

The Judges' lodgings

Lancaster is a city where you can see the wealth that has been here before – beautiful old buildings and now a university city. The local golden stone is seen in so many of the buildings.

But again there are limited moorings – we managed to get the last one – squeezing in front of a cruiser – Diane was a bit more than a little worried as we approached – certain that we would hit it and crush it – easily made it in.

15 miles

Totals: 1681 Miles, 1294 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 129 Swing Bridges

Silent Sunday 8

Happy Birthday Diane !!

To my lovely wife, time to celebrate again.

Hope that you have a lovely day and that we can continue to do what we are doing for a long time to come.

All my love
ray
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Onwards to sample the Lancaster

Thursday 9^th May to Friday 10^th May 2013

We thought about going into Preston for a bit of a look and see the city, so we were off to Salwick train station just a short distance away – the trains were running through there fairly regularly.

The roadworks at the bridge above the station were negotiated and onto the platform.

We had missed the 8:15am so thought that it couldn’t be long to the next train – checking the updated timetable – seems that the works still taking place had slightly changed the daily schedule – next train would be 16:15 – mmm, a bit too long to wait – oh well, Preston will just have to wait.

Back to the boat and Diane decided to get a bit of tidying up done; I got stuck into work.

By the afternoon, all of the energy expended over the last few days had caught up with us and we needed a nanna nap which worked well for us and we woke up after a couple of hours very much refreshed.

Friday’s weather should have been a bit better than Thursday so naturally we would move – the rain delayed it a bit and didn’t quite completely disappear, but what the heck – let’s go anyway.

Like everyone else who gets here, there is only a limited time to enjoy so we pressed on – just a few hours.

Firstly we would need to top up the water tank.

This is a lovely canal, the only problem we have encountered is the shallow sides and hence mooring opportunities are limited.

There are sections of wooded waterway and other parts which open right out – with only the M55 disturbing the peace initially.



A good example of a John Rennie stone bridge - the fattened
circular shape and the triple keystone

The boat seemed a bit sluggish but we thought that it was just the canal being a bit shallow, but at the waterpoint the weedhatch was off and a few handfuls of plastic unwound from the prop – that would do it!!

This is a lovely time of year to be on the waterways and part of that is the wildlife around and the arrival of the goung-uns.

Our aim was to make for Bilsborrow, but it was the same idea of many others and a lack of suitable mooring spots forced us to move a bit further on to Claughton where we stopped – the plank came out to get from the back to the bank and we settled in before the rain came.

There is a small Spar here where Diane got a few things that we needed, but for the most it was indoors out of the wet and the cold – strange (or not really) that it was so lovely just last Tuesday and now we are rugged up again – must be England!!


8 miles

Totals: 1666 Miles, 1294 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 28 Lift Bridges, 129 Swing Bridges