Ribble Link

We were led to believe that we would not be able to leave the marina until shortly before one o'clock but that the lock keeper would come and tell us more precisely some time during the morning. Most of the boats took the opportunity to do some shopping - a large Morrisons was only 300 metres away. We were also able to use an elsan disposal point and some boats also decided to fill up with water.

Preston Dock

 

Yesterday, after posting our blog, we went for a walk around the dock - it took about 45 minutes to complete the circuit although we noticed some joggers and cyclists who managed several laps in that time!

Wave Deflectors

 The wave barriers have recently been adopted as a nesting place for terns and they were certainly in fine voice tonight!

As the sun set the view down the dock was impressive.

At one time this was the largest single dock in Europe but rarely was it profitable largely because of the high cost of dredging the river to maintain access. The inability to cope with the increasing size of ships - despite being the first port to introduce the idea of roll - on roll off - meant that it gradually became redundant as a commercial port. The size of the sandbank outside the sea gates is evidence of the problems.

Eventually it was time to set off but one of the other boats received a call from the lock keeper that we should wait a little longer as another boat was making ready to come down with us.

Make ready in the lock

Finally we were given to go signal and lined up in the lock - perhaps the largest we have ever been in. Even with the six narrowboats and a small plastic boat we hardly came anywhere near to filling it!

Heading for the sea gates

 Being high tide there was actually very little drop - a set of huge sea gates protects the entrance to the lower basin and hence the marina.

Some ahead . . .

and some behind

Turn into Savick Brook

 Quite soon we settled into a line astern in the order of our speed abilities - some set of at a pace and were well ahead of the last boat (not us this time!) when they arrived at Savick brook entrance into the Ribble Link. Since we were not punching the tide today we made the trip in about half the time of yesterday!

Rotating Sea Lock

 As we came through the rotating sea lock, which protects the Savick Brook part of the link from losing all its water at low tides, we were given further instructions to go around the next corner and to wait at the holding pontoon before Savick bridge.

Holding Pontoon

 As it was a short pontoon, those who had dashed off down the main river were boxed in by those of us arriving later!

It was perhaps 45 minutes later that we were given the signal to proceed and so we were at the front of the line of boats! Were learnt later that we had to wait for the tide to fall enough to allow us under the bridges before the first proper lock. The rotating sea lock is only a half tide lock, we believe.

Savick Bridge

 The brook is is both narrow and, at times, quite twisty and under Savick Bridge came our first challenge and we needed a couple of shuffles back and fro to complete the sharp turn. It is possible to do it one a continuous turn but only if you know in advance the correct line to take under the bridge!

The locks are wide so that it was two at time - there were just the two of us on our boat and likewise two on the one sharing with us. As a result the next pair, who had much larger crews, caught us up and - jokingly we hope - chided us for being so slow!

Just a silly picture!

 Eventually, having operated the five standard locks ourselves, we arrived at the staircase at the end of the link. There is insufficient room to make a full turn forwards into the lock and we were advised earlier that we should reverse into the bottom lock. We had also been told to wait in the locks for the CaRT staff to arrive - once there it was clear why. The locks, formed into a staircase, made an imposing, possibly intimidating appearance.

Reversing into bottom of staircase

 

Middle of staircase

 In fact we had very little wait and were gradually lifted up the three locks - all that we had to do was to keep the boats safe in the lock and reverse from one to the other as needed. Christine jumped off at the top of the first lock so that she could take some pictures of what the flight looks like. Inside the locks it is not possible to see very much of what they look like.

At the top we bade farewell to the CaRT staff as well as a partner boat and made a reverse turn out of the lock and then through onto the Lancaster itself.

Apart from the Glasson Branch there are no locks at all on the remaining parts of the Lancaster Canal. However it is noted for being a beautiful and rural canal and certainly the part we saw today lived up to its reputation.

We continued for a couple of hours more - as we have to reach Glasson tomorrow we wanted to get a good distance under our belts tonight to give us a reasonable target in the morning.

Mooring on the Lancaster is notoriously difficult - we did pass several short piled sections, although most were already occupied, but when it came to the time for us to moor no such luck. The canal was built with shallow sloping banks and a landing plank is advised as a necessary part of the equipment for visiting the canal! We certainly needed it!

10.2 miles - 10 locks