Full Crew

This is a bit of a 'catch up' blog - there may be some more details later. The reason is that your trusty editor has only just returned to the boat. However, Christine set off from home on Saturday morning, travelling up by train to Cheltenham where she was picked up by Andrew. They continued up to Glasson Marina in his car. By the time they arrived it was too late to set off and they had also arranged to have a meal at the pub which we visited at the end of the last trip.

The next day they set off up the Glasson Locks and then northwards at the junction. Overnight was at Hest Bank, the southern end of the public right of way across Morecambe Bay. As it happened there was an article in the newspaper about the person who is the royal Guide and has held this post for several decades. He once guided Prince Philip across in a horse drawn carriage!

On Monday they continued up to Tewitfield, the last navigable point on the canal. Sadly the further section to the original terminus in Kendal was cut off in the 1960s when the M6 was constructed, taking advantage of the formal closure of the canal to cross at a level too low for boats to pass.

Tuesday was a day trip to Kendal by bus. Andrew left Christine in town so that he could walk back to Tewitfield along the line of the abandoned section. Much is in good condition and there are well-developed plans to restore the full length of the canal - the only problem is raising the money!

Hills alongside canal north of Carnforth

How long have they been watching the boats?

Wednesday and Mike was able to leave home, setting off by car around 6:45, arriving at Hest Bank just after 1 pm. The others had brought the boat down to there and arrived about an hour earlier.

From Hest Bank across Morecambe Bay

Moored at Hest Bank

After unloading the car (and discovering what things he had left behind including the remaining milk!) Mike took the car to Glasson Marina where it is to remain until some later date in the trip - still not quite sure when we will move it as it depends a little on what progress we make, including picking up Alice and Jess for the final week.

At Glasson he had some wait in the village as the bus service is only every two hours. However he did manage to find an ice cream and later a mug of tea.

Lune Aqueduct

Meanwhile, the others brought the boat down to Lancaster and waited for Mike at Bridge 99 where the bus route crossed the canal. On the way they came back over the Lune Aqueduct and this time Christine took time (and some not insignificant effort!) to walk down the steps from the top of the crossing to get some pictures of this very sturdy structure. A sharp contrast to the Pontcysllte Aqueduct in Wales.


Lancaster

Boathouse in Lancaster

With all three now aboard for the next week, we set off out of the city to find a more rural mooring for the night. A couple of boat houses added a change to the residential line. There is quite a long cutting after leaving Lancaster and we moored shortly afterwards. As is often the case with this canal, we ended up just within gang plank length from the bank!

Mooring!