Where did the time go?

Events took over my life as you will see as you read on!
I spent 7 days (from 8 June) at Hest Bank in lovely sunny weather. After retrieving the car from Tewitfield and another visit from Lesley and Louise when we had lunch and a walk in Morecombe, I spent a lot of the time visiting and walking in the area. A day walking in Silverdale, Arndale then on to Grange over Sands was most enjoyable. Another trip to Kendal, also to Sizergh castle - where it rained all day so postponed the planned walk, went to Windermere and the World of Peter Rabbit - superb furry animals in book settings. The next day I walked the filled in the canal to within a couple of miles of Kendal. Then I learnt that my dear Uncle Charlie who had been in a hospice for respite had worsened and would probably not be going home , I kept in constant touch.

I dragged myself away from the wonderful Hest Bank and then had another day and night in Lancaster, lovely town and market but the shops are rather smaller than you would expect. On 16 June I went on to Galgate (top of Glasson branch) for a couple of days. On 18 June I had moored in lovely countryside when I was told that my uncle had deteriorated further. On Saturday 19 June I took the boat to Garstang Marina - I had planned to leave it here the following week as my children had planned a special birthday family BBQ weekend in Kent. At 11.40 I left the marina (the owner kindly having taken me to collect my car from Galgate) and drove to Kent. At 8.30pm I was able to visit my uncle who was now very poorly. I stayed with my aunt, visiting the hospice every day. Sadly Charlie died on the Tuesday but after helping her with the necessary funeral plans etc, Aunt Erica was most insistent that I went to my son's house on the Thursday as planned.

On Saturday (most of my children now camping in son Graham's garden) we all drove to the planned pub meal. On the way we made an emergency stop for grandson to use facilities in the village hall - I was taken in also and found myself at my own surprise birthday party, surrounded by family and friends from school, youth club, ex work colleagues and a few boaters - I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA !!! What a wonderful day I had. Next day we had the planned family BBQ! A fabulous weekend with fanatastic weather, sadly followed by the funeral on Monday which dear Erica had organised quickly so those travelling to attend the party could easily go to the service. I stayed on a few days as my birthday was mid week and finally returned to the boat on Sunday 4 July.

I then had 11 days before I left the Lancaster Canal. Strong wind prevented me from leaving the marina but on Monday evening I was in the lovely Garstang town. Tuesday I had a dentist appointment to keep near daughter's, Wednesday caught up with food shopping etc and on Thursday after attending the local market I had a drive to Fleetwood and Blackpool.

On Friday 9 I cruised back to Galgate and on Saturday morning I walked 3miles down locks in light rain showers to Glasson Dock (we hadn't been able to stay overnight 5 weeks ago). Had another good walk around plus delicious mussels for lunch at the Dalton Arms by the dock. Walked back up to boat in constant rain - but it is a very pretty flight - the wild flowers were gorgeous.

Today Sunday 11 is very windy and pretty cool so can catch up with a few jobs. On Monday will find that country mooring again before returning to Garstang. Chris and Mary arrive on Thursday and we have a 10.52 appointment at the Ribble Link. I am really sorry to be leaving and do hope, once again, that this is not my last visit up here!!!

To Tewitfield and back to Hest Bank

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!!

Up the Ribble and on the Lancaster

We made it up the Ribble! Chris and Mary joined me on Monday morning and after a quick breakfast we set off down the Rufford locks with nb Dizzie Lizzie. A good run down these heavy but lovely locks to moor for lunch at Rufford. Drove up to collect the other car and set off again at 2.30 to use the sanny station before continuing on to the moorings after Tarleton swing bridge. Unfortunately no space for our 57' and we couldn't breast up as Ebony makes a good fuss about jumping between boats, especially at 5.30am (when she has to 'go' - poor girl has developed liver problems). Luckily everyone very kindly moved along and we were able to squeeze in.

Next morning we were waiting at Tarleton lock (Wigan told us 7.42am but lockie said 8.30 - hurray a lie in!). At 8.47 when the tide was right we left the lock with nb Gamesh. There were 3 boats to follow. Weather conditions were perfect - the mist had cleared and it was warm enough and hardly any wind. The Douglas was flowing well, against us, but we set off at a good speed, with Chris at the helm - he is the river expert! It was really lovely with low banks and lots of birds - including many Shelduck. As the Asland lamp came into view round a bend, the engine began overheating (as expected) - we throttled down to 2000 and kept at this speed the rest of the way.

An easy turn at the lamp and into the very wide Ribble. We were then going with the flow which was easing as the tide was on the point of turn. Still the journey went well but there was much less wildlife to see. As we got to near Savick Brook (it is so difficult to see the entrance as you approach) we could see a white car parked (was it BW we thought). I rang to get permission to go up the Brook and they said yes and it was them in the car - brilliant, much better than the small sign you cannot read until too late. Made a wide turn (now against the tide) and into Savick Brook, followed by Gamesh. We got to the pontoon at 11.14 where we had to wait for the lockies to close the sea lock behind us and at 11.20 we set off again. The tidal journey had taken 2h 20m which was what we hoped - but can take 4h! We learnt as we went into the first pound lock that the other 3 boats had to go to Preston dock as it had been such a low tide.

Nine locks later, all worked for us as we were the only boats, we arrived at the lovely basin at the top at 1.45. Time for lunch. As we sat eating Linda vaguely spotted a 'girl' and pushchair on the wooden bridge ahead. Then her phone rang - it was dau Lesley and baby Louise come to find us - what a wonderful surprise! We all set off to go south to see the terminus of the canal (we hadn't done that 5 years ago), then turned and Lesley went back to her car and we continued on for an hour to moor in the countryside - and relax! What a fantastic day we had had.

Hovering before the Ribble

Whilst at Halsall I met daughter Lesley and granddaughter Louise (13m) at Windmill Farm. We had a lovely time meeting the varied animals (goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas, pigs, calf and a gorgeous 3-week shetland pony) before having a snack in their coffee bar. After that a ride on their 15" guage railway (like the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch trains) and then a while in the soft play area.

Louise was then taken home for her nap and I decided to find the recommended Fairy Glen walk at the top of Parbold Hill. It was absolutely beautiful - trickling stream and small waterfalls through beautiful woods thick with bluebells - something I miss from Sussex. It was also accessible from the canal at Bridge 40 - walk over bridge, then over railway bridge, turn eastwards on track and onto footpath. Across field and you will find yourself at the bottom of the glen. It is actually just north of Appley locks but I don't think accessible from there.

On Thursday I moved to Scarisbrick and in the afternoon went to Leyland to see Lesley and Louise again. That evening I babysat while Phil and Lesley had a rare evening out. Next morning I returned to the boat and went to Red Lion Caravans to fill up with diesel (78p and you can choose your split!). Also bought fuel cans so I can stock up whilst on Lancaster where I hear it is more difficult to get fuel - unless you use the fuel depot in Garstang - another good reason to keep the car with me whilst up there! I will probably leave it at Lesley's after the Lancaster.

Moved on to moor east of Burscough (ready for the 2 swing bridges in the morning). What a really lovely and hot day it is. I cycled back to Scarisbrick to get the car - and found some friends Peter and I met at Crick in 2003 - Bill and Babs on nb Kaydee. After a good chat we found we were all going to meet again on the Lancaster.

Collected the car and drove to the large carpark opposite, but not owned by, the pub at Rufford Top. Then another cycle back to the boat. Ebony had been left 1 1/2 hours but although barking was not too stressed - hadn't even shredded any paper from the log box. Unlike when we went for a meal in Liverpool and came back to find a large stack of magazines had been ripped and scattered thickly all over the lounge area. Oh the joys of a dog suffering from Separation Anxiety - I will go anywhere with you but PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!

Today I have two swing bridges to Burscough and a trip to Tesco's before going on to moor nr Rufford Top. Then I will take car down to Rufford and return to wait for Chris and Mary's arrival early Monday morning. Tuesday 7.42am we go up the Ribble!!!

Jim has fixed it for me!

Great news! Jim Woolfall, BSS/engineer and member of Mersey Motor Boat Club (Scarisbrick Branch) has taken apart my alternator and found the brushes were worn. This took a while as he was off on a club cruise over the BH weekend and then busy with other committments after his previous 2 week holiday. I was fine with a hook up and enjoyed a long weekend with son Steve and his family in Devon. On my return, Jim had refitted the alternator and all was well. I left the boat club next day then gave the boat a test run/charge eastwards and returned to Scarisbrick. No beeping or buzzing and batteries charging - bliss! I travelled on to Halsall, moving the car in the afternoon, so I could do a weekend food shop.

On Saturday I cruised to Lydiate, the last decent area to leave a boat. The countryside is attractive but mostly arable and very flat - just like around Rufford and the fenlands around Ely. At Lydiate I moored opposite the Boat Club's headquarters and took a bus into Liverpool for the afternoon. A lovely day and Liverpool was even busier around the dock than when I went by boat a few weeks ago.

Today is very windy so I will stay put and return to Halsall in the morning - mooring a 57' boat with 15mph winds blowing you to the other side is no joke!

Liverpool is Fab!

Despite the dodgy alternator, we scraped our way out of the marina in extremely windy conditions to travel towards Aintree. We moored on the 'Melling Straight' with nb Gloriana. Next morning, again pretty windy and cold, we did the last few miles and swingbridge by 9.30 to join 6 other boats all going to Liverpool with our BW escort. We were joined by Chris's sister and brother-in-law who were, like us, very excited to be making this trip - for me it was my first ever visit to Liverpool. Two swing bridges on, and after stopping at Litherland for facilities, also for most of us to remove Liverpool's rubbish from our props, we set off the last stretch to meet the BW team at Stanley Locks. A good flight down and soon we were weaving our way through the docks - following the buoys marking the route. Eventually turned into the lovely Albert Dock and then into Salthouse where we found very good, wide pontoons (with elec hook up!) and water points. Time for a very late lunch.

We then had four whole days to explore this wonderful city. The low moorings were quiet despite being in the centre of town and beside a very busy wide road. We managed to squeeze a lot in - 2 cathedrals, Red Bus Tour, Maritime (and Slavery) Museum, the Beatles Story (fantastic and with 2 sites it takes ages if you hear and read everything, as we did!), marvellous echoing circular Reading Room at the Library (now closed for restoration), Mersey Ferry trip, Crosby beach to see the 100 Gormley statues. There was so much to do, much of it free, and we didn't even go shopping! It would be easy to fill the allowed 2 weeks stay - without exhausting yourself as we did! It really was a fantistic stay with wonderful moorings.

The return journey was also good - apart from managing to catch a runaway buoy on our rudder, the 2 concrete blocks stopping the gates from closing on the 2nd lock (no they were not from our buoy), a sunken car and another stop at Litherland to leave the prop rubbish behind.

Next day I was back in the marina on hook up. As the alternator had worked intermittently on the trip, they returned the new one eventually ordered and said they didn't know what to do next. Chris and Mary went home and the next day I left the marina to moor outside. The following evening the alternator worked but, of course, Bank Holiday friday it didn't. Luckily I was opposite Mersey Motor Boat Club (my cunning plan - I am a member of AWCC via Cutweb) and they were able to give me a hook up for the weekend etc. Now waiting for their highly recommended resident engineer to find a solution to my baffling problem. The mooring also gives me a chance to go to visit son Steve and family in Devon next weekend, so I will definitely not be leaving here until at least 12th May.

I'm Free - Oh no I'm not!

Having spent a lovely winter in Fettler's Wharf Marina at Rufford I set off on Monday 12th back to the mainline at Latham (Rufford Junction). I was accompanied by my daughter, her husband (and almost toddler Louise) who live locally and had offered to help me up the 6 heavy locks to the junction. It was a lovely, sunny day and we had a good trip up the locks to arrive in time for Louise's tea.

I had gone into the marina in October with battery charging problems which the owners had promised to put right for me, meanwhile a hook up was most welcome this year. Nothing was done by February, well it was a cold winter, but I then went away for 5 weeks and by the time I returned they were busy, despite keeping in touch with them. By the time I left they told me that there was no problem with the output to the batteries. Of course by the time I got to the top of the locks I knew that this was not correct so Wednesday pm I arrived at their new sister marina at Scarisbrick in need of an urgent hook up. Am now waiting for a new alternator! How am I so unlucky - I had a new alternator March 06, then another 2 years later in April 08 in Ely. This one has only lasted 18m (until October 09) when it failed again. Not to mention the new PRM gearbox I had in September (after only 4 years since the previous one).

The other problem here is that they have closed all the services bar water at Rufford Junction and also ALL the services at Burscough. Anyone coming this way should bear in mind that services are only in Wigan (by BW office), down the 6 locks on Rufford Branch, or in Litherland (needing a booked BW escort). All this makes it rather difficult to cruise slowly and explore this lovely part of the L&L - which BW Wigan don't seem to understand my wish to do!

Meanwhile I am getting lots of jobs done at my mooring in front of the wonderful coffee shop, providing entertainment for the visitors and answering all their questions... yes I do live on board, no it isn't cold in winter, yes I am very lucky to travel all over the country, yes the locks are hard work but it is more fun than going to a gym.

Tomorrow (Monday) Chris and Mary arrive from Suffolk. We have an appointment with a BW escort at 9.30 am, Bridge 9, on Wednesday - when we go through Aintree, Litherland to Liverpool and moor in Salthouse Dock for 4 days. I have never been to Liverpool and we are all looking forward to this exciting trip - just keeping fingers crossed that the weather keeps reasonably fine.