SUNDAY. Lancaster canal, Br23.
The 2008 trip thus far: 330 Locks; 604.5 Miles; 64 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 21
For those of you who sleep at night; it rained heavily at Tarleton in the early hours of this morning. A lot of water descended, which ended up in the River Douglas. Our original Ribble link start time was 10.37; owing to the extra water in the river, we were held back until 11.30.
Harry Mayor showed that his judgement is spot on. There was hardly any flow to punch against, we made the Asland beacon in exactly one hour; reaching Savick Brook 40 minutes later, just as the ebb was starting to run. A steady trip with the Shire engine at 1600 rpm, slightly warm but no problem. The weather was overcast, with rain showers slightly reducing visibility.
We moored up breasted three deep on the holding mooring, awaiting the water level to drop sufficiently to pass under the road bridge. When the signal to move was given, the first outer boat slipped the ropes and moved off. The second boat then pushed off in such a hurry that he neglected to undo the back rope. This resulted in his boat across the stream, having also pulled the inner boat with him, the current keeping them there.
We were the outer of the back three, whilst the comedy act was unfolding in front; the steerer of the middle boat to which we were attached, also decided to slip his ropes. In order to avoid a repeat performance, we slipped ours and I followed the now untied boat; nobody else seemed to know what to do, and therefore nothing was happening. Boating can be so rewarding on occasions!
Having negotiated the Millenium ditch; reversed into the staircase lock and turned in the upper basin – there we were – the Lancaster canal at last! We travelled for about an hour and found ideal moorings at the end of the armco near a winding hole. Cattle in the field opposite, sheep on the other side of the towpath hedge; an example of the best of isolated moorings.
Weather – Overcast, some showers. Fine afternoon, then rain again in the evening.
