Out and about on Lancaster Canal 30 Jan 2011

The day was cold but calm with bright intervals but later a darkening sky made it feel cooler as the sun disappeared,especially beside large expanses of iced water.There was a hopeful spring feeling with much keen activity from the wildfowl at the various places on todays little tour of favourite spots.The shop and cafe at the new Barton Grange Marina is amazing,a real"must see" - see full album on this link:

Galgate Circuit (Galgate>Glasson>Lune Estuary>Lancaster)BIKE RIDE 03 05 2010

Bank Holiday Monday,so a great day for towpath cycling off-road and away from the madding crowd.I revisited a favourite familiar circuit I have not ridden for a while.The terrain and waterside scenery is very varied like chapters of a book,I love it!Setting off from Galgate,I went westwards down the Glasson Branch of Lancaster Canal to Glasson Dock.Then turning NE along the Lune Estuary Coastal Path(former railway)which goes along the bank of the river to Lancaster Old Quay.Following the Lune through the linear park until the canal aqueduct crosses over the river.Here I carry the bike up hundreds of steps(great cardio exercise!)on to the aqueduct itself).Then southwards through parklands and lovely scenery and passing through the quaint historic stone city of Lancaster.Finally a few scenic miles more returning along the canal to Galgate.Far enough but not too far-just nice!
SEE PICTURES:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bazizfoters/GalgateCircuitGalgateGlassonLuneEstuaryLancasterBIKERIDE03052010?feat=directlink

Enjoy!

Changing views on my Mountain Bike Ride 02 05 2010

I went on a good ride to see what's changed on the South End of the Lancaster Canal beginning at Aqueduct St truncation,Tulketh.Along the canal to the Sports Arena where the Ribble Link goes off.I followed this down to Blackpool Road,then took the Ribbleside path to Preston Dock.This circuit makes a great ride because of the total changes of terrain and water scenery,the varying surfaces,wildlife and boats very interesting.I have tried not to duplicate the existing material already in albums on here,just the things that have changed along the way.Sarah did this ride with me before disappearing to Australia ! SEE PICTURES:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bazizfoters/ChangingViewsOnMyMountainBikeRide02052010?feat=directlink

The LANCASTER CANAL - N.3 - NORTHERN REACHES - Tewitfield to Kendal

THE NORTHERN REACHES of the Lancaster Canal,became seperated from the rest of the canal during the building of the M6 in the 1960s.Unfortunately the M6 work was carried out at a time when no leisure or tourism future was foreseen for the then virtually disused sections,only some of which were left partially in water,culverts today carrying the supply flow in several road crossings.Since the M6 blunders the A591 and others since have crossed the dry line making restoration even more complicated and expensive.However all the issues have been assessed and full details of the restoration plans can be seen on the Lancaster Canal Trust website (see link on photos).Meanwhile please enjoy looking at the beautiful course of this pretty section running through Cumbria's lovely South Lakes countryside to Kendal.

SEE FULL ALBUM featuring Maps,history,pictures,information ON :

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bazizfoters/TheLANCASTERCANALN3NORTHERNREACHESTewitfieldToKendal#

The trip boat WATERWITCH of The Lancaster Canal Trust

SEE THE LCT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS of RESTORATION PLAN:

http://www.lctrust.co.uk/

SEE VIDEO of PRESTON END RESORATION:

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LANCASTER CANAL - N.2 - GARSTANG to TEWITFIELD

We leave the Tithebarn Basin behind and proceed around Garstang,Nateby,Cabus onwards to Ellel and Galgate.Here we meet the Glasson branch,and follow it westwards to Glasson Dock,allowing access to the Lune Estuary and Irish Sea.This was built for large craft so some smaller coasters could enter the canal.The six locks were built to take craft of 72ft long and 14 ft beam.4ft draft.This branch was very busy in it's heyday as it opened up a new connection with the sea.

The impressive LUNE AQUEDUCT at Lancaster

We then move on to Lancaster,over the Lune Aqueduct passing Hest Bank,Bolton le Sands,to Carnforth.Then on via Capernwray and Borwick to Tewitfield,where presently navigation ends,until restoration is complete;SEE:-

http://www.lctrust.co.uk/

SEE FULL ALBUM featuring maps,history,pictures,information ON:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bazizfoters/LANCASTERCANALN2GARSTANGToTEWITFIELD#

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The LANCASTER CANAL from PRESTON to GARSTANG

Swillbrook Marina near Catforth
The Lancaster Canal as we know it today begins 1km out of Preston City Centre at Tulketh Basin.We are presently campaigning to restore the canal into a new terminus at Maudlands(see link in photos).From Tulketh,the canal winds out of Preston past Haslam Park under Tom Benson way to the junction with the Millenium Ribble Link(See Album).From there the canal follows the contour right out around The Fylde Loop,passing Lea,and turning at Salwick round the Hall.North under the M55,turning sharply east by Catforth and Swillbrook.On to Woodplumpton,then turning north west up towards Barton, crossing a superbly built aqueduct over Broughton Brook.There the canal turns to the north and we come to Billsborrow.Leaving the busy village we cross the superbly built Brock Aqueduct ,beyond there is now a new marina nearby.Once under the A6 to Catterall,Bonds,a limekiln and castle at Greenhalgh .We cross John Rennie's majestic aqueduct over the River Wyre,and come to the basin at the south of Garstang.

SEE FULL ALBUM featuring maps,pictures and information ON:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bazizfoters/LANCASTERCANALFromPRESTONToGARSTANG#

Tithebarn Basin,south Garstang,from Wyre Aqueduct

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