THURSDAY. Tewitfield, Lancaster canal
The 2008 trip thus far: 330 Locks; 641 Miles; 65 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 21
A bright grey overcast sky was our reward for awakening today. We moved off at 7am and enjoyed a morning more reminiscent of autumn; excellent visibility and wonderful views of hills. At Morecambe Bay the tide was out, we could only have fleeting views whilst many of the canal side houses had uninterrupted ones. Again, in Hest bank and Bolton le Sands the gardens were well kept and almost all made a feature of the canal.
Most of today the propeller was churning up mud; the canal is very shallow in the centre, and in places it is hard to remember that it is allegedly a wide canal. The encroachment of the reed beds reduces it to a single narrowboat width.
We arrived at Tewitfield; the most northerly point on the canal linked network in England. I took the obligatory photograph showing Martlet at the English canal north pole. The M6 was just the other side of the bushes, but seemed closer.
Once again, we find BW not fit for purpose (or in plain English – lacking). The best thing about the 14 day visitor moorings was the signpost. Over half of the available mooring length would have been of use only for a canoe.
We did not measure the depth accurately; but we estimated that against the edge was between 6 and 12 inches; three feet away it could have been as much as two feet. We attempted to get alongside with Martlet; we were four feet away from the edge at each end. The first time at official visitor moorings we have been forced to use the plank.
We decided to move off and try elsewhere. By bridge 136, we managed to get within two feet of the edge; this mooring had better views and less motorway noise, we will stay here.
Speaking to a locally based boater, I asked why so many boat owners of both plastic cruisers and narrowboats made no attempt to slow down when passing moored boats. His answer was twofold; most of them had never been off this canal and did not know how to behave. Secondly, they did not have any respect for property belonging to anyone else. So, it is not only a problem around Braunston!
The Caraboat (see yesterday) came past and moored in the basin. I had a chat with the owner and was interested to learn more about the novel craft and the places that he had been boating.
After supper, we had a wander around Borwick, a nice village with some good houses and a well kept look about the place.
Weather – Cloudy, a few short showers, then bright and sunny.
