How time flies when you are having fun. After our trip up the Ribble we spent the first night in the country. Next day we went on to Bilsborrow where Chris and I took buses and a train back to Rufford to collect cars. I have been carless for 4 1/2 years and this is the first time I have ever moved a car and boat during the cruising months - I'll let you know which is easiest!
Next day we went on to Garstang to visit the lovely town, market and shops - I spent 4 weeks here when I purchased Kanbendun Again (then called Honeymoon!) and it was lovely to return. We continued on to moor for the night in the countryside.
On Friday we set off for Glasson Basin. At the top lock we were informed by a boater that there was a boat rally in the basin with 30-40 boats - we would be lucky to get a mooring, although another boater said we would be made welcome. The exact same thing happened exactly 5 years ago on our first trip with KA. This time we decided to risk it and had a lovely trip down this flight of heavy locks. Yes, at the bottom there was no space and as we did a tour of the basin, every boater seemed to be looking the other way and no one invited us to breast up. Jilly's Dream was on the visitor mooring - but no-one aboard. We decided to leave the basin and after the 1st bridge (and after 4 attempts) we managed to find a place where we could get the stern in and the bow out 'reverse K&A style' (making it easier to use the gangplank for a dog who dislikes walking over water!) We walked back past the boaters (still busily not noticing us) and made a beeline for the ice cream shop - eating our ices at the lockside in sunshine. We made our planned visit to the Smokehouse for fish and cheese, then on to the edge of the village for a view of the Lune Estuary, followed by a quick visit to the marina chandlery.
As lots of rain was forecast for the next day we decided to have a sunny evening 'cruise' up the locks and moored at Galgate, ready for a late meal.
Saturday, thinking moorings in Lancaster over BH would be full, we bussed in and out, cruising on after lunch and mooring at Hest Bank. Five years ago the old wharf on the beach (where goods were off loaded for the canal boats above) was exposed (after being covered by sand for 100 years) and you could walk to it over grass tussocks in the sand. Now the wharf is half buried and most of the grass has been washed away and there is just more treacherous sand - so different from last time.
Sunday we set off for Carnforth. We had done the town and station museum 5 years ago, so after a quick visit to Tesco and sanny station we continued on to Tewitfield. Another K&A style mooring and the surprise of a new marina. Owned by the Longlands Hotel (as is the caravan site) it has been built with 2 storey holiday homes around it. Very pleasant but only 1/2 dozen boats moored there! I enquired - £100 for 2 weeks if I needed a temporary mooring.
On Monday, after collecting the cars by bus, we spent the day in Kendal followed by a very good meal at the hotel.
Next morning Chris and Mary left for Suffolk after a very busy week. Now I was free to have 6 more days in Tewitfield, walking the unnavigable canal (all but the last 5 miles) in stages, with visits to Kendal (again), Coniston (and a trip on the restored steam yacht 'Gondola') and Windermere. Also a weekend trip to Leyland to look after granddaughter Louise whilst her dad tiled the kitchen and mum was at work. The 7 days went very quickly and as there were only 2 boats up there weekdays I spent an extra day before returning to Hest Bank. It is just so lovely up here - my favourite places - Tewitfield (for the Lake District), Hest Bank for the fantastic view of the sea - from the boat (!) and Garstang (for the lovely town) plus of course all the lovely country moorings in between. Beginning to think even 7 weeks is not long enough!!
Bollington
1 day ago
