Bridge 56 to Ribble Link Staircase 1

Blackbird was first to push off this morning. With both boats wanting to fill with water at Bilsborrow we didn’t hurry to get going. Today would be our longest cruise since we left Tarleton on the 9th August.

The sun was out so a load of washing was put on before we reached the water point. As it came into view we could see Blackbird disappearing under the bridge at Owd Nells, a well timed arrival. With the hose connected up Mick walked round to the main street for our Saturday newspaper, sadly our normal one was out of stock so for the third week we’d have to cope with a substitute.

Once we were full and the yellow water tank empty we pushed off, just as NB Compass Rose arrived (we think they may be joining us on the link). The canal was busy, plenty of cruisers out making the most of a sunny weekend. It was now obvious that we would arrive at Moon’s Bridge Marina to coincide with their lunch break again. So after we’d let two more cruisers pull out from the marina we pulled into the service mooring to have our own lunch and wait. However the chap on duty was around and not bothered about his butties so a new gas bottle was purchased and hooked up. Unfortunately they didn’t do coal, but at least if we run out we can put the central heating on, aromas permitting!

With no obvious place in mind to be able to pull over for lunch, we decided to have it on the go as we ticked off the miles back to the top of the link. Passing the pub we’d been to on our first night we spotted another boat due to join us and then in the nuclear zone we passed NB Bosley. How many boats would they lock down tomorrow? Including the lock landing there are three pontoons in the pound before Lock 8, so breasting up you could hold six there, maybe we’ll be three abreast.

As we turned into the basin at the top of the locks it seemed as if we’d never been away. It was just how we’d left it on Tuesday. Blackbird was already moored up in the top chamber, so we winded and joined them again. Whirligig erected and our washing hung out to make the most of the sun and slight breeze. Mick popped out with the hope of finding our Saturday paper and returned with it in hand after his long journey by foot to the Co-op.

Now we wait for lunchtime tomorrow.

0 locks, 1 sat in, 13.78 miles, 1 full water tank, 1 load clean towels, 1 empty yellow tank, 1 new gas bottle, 0 coal, 1 Lancaster, 2 newspapers to get through, 1 right, 1 wind, 1 boring mooring, 1 pair wrist warmers complete, 1 giant bag on it’s way, 1 large portion of Romanesco cheese with added benefits.

Bilsborrow to Garstang to Turner’s Bridge 56

With an extra day before we cross we needed some shopping, more than the shop in Bilsborrow would do for us. So we decided to cruise further north to Garstang where we could do a big shop, the wine cellar was very empty! This also gave us a way of filling the day. Whilst Blackbird pushed over to top up with water we went ahead. As we meandered up the canal the hope was to find somewhere where we could moor for the night and have a barbecue, somewhere nice for Tilly as she is likely to be cooped up for a couple of days.

We tried a couple of places where armco showed itself, but just gently pulling in we soon ran aground. However just short of Bridge 56 there was a straight stretch where our stern would get very close to the side, close enough. We made note and carried on to Garstang.

There was plenty of space on the seven day moorings, but they are quite a distance from the shops. All the spaces before the bridge were full so we pulled in a short distance further on, close enough. With a bike to be our pack horse and plenty of bags we headed straight for Sainsburys. Not a full restock of the cellar, but certainly enough to keep us going. We did buy food too! Once everything was stowed we pootled on to the winding hole by the services, dropped off our recycling and returned the way we’d come.

Would this be our final farewell to Garstang?

Passing Blackbird, making the most of some sunshine with the whirligig out, we told them where we hoped to be moored for them to join us later.

Our last wild mooring and quite a successful one too. We were into the side! Without much of a list! A first for us on the Lancaster. I was straight out, the friendly cover had great potential.

With the evenings getting a bit chillier now we’ve been putting the central heating on for short bursts if we haven’t got round to lighting the stove. However we’ve started to notice an aroma once the radiators have started to get warm. Investigation was needed. Mick removed the three screws from the cover to the yellow water tank pump. This gave us access to the pipes that run up to the pump and gunnel that we use to empty our tank which is situated under the floor. We could also see how close the central heating pipes were to the underfloor tank. A couple of screws were tightened up on the pump, just in case. Then a layer of carry mat insulation was cut and positioned between the pipes and the tank. Some strategic positioning of some blue roll was added before the cover was replaced. When we next empty the tank we’ll have a look to see if the blue roll has caught any leak from the pump.

Later in the afternoon Blackbird joined us having dodged the showers that came and went. A patch of blue sky was approaching so a barbecue was on the cards. The noise from the M6 and trains only distracted us a couple of times as we tucked into our food and supped our wine. A bright rainbow (photos didn’t do it justice) popped up ahead of the boats as the sun was starting to set. A lovely evening which ended up being a little bit chilly to sit out any longer once it was dark. So we retired indoors and got the stove going.

0 locks, 6.54 miles, 1 wind, 4 boxes of wine, 1 chicken, 1 bike fully laden, 3 showers, 3 screws, 1 pong, 4 hours, 6 veg kebabs, 2 burgers, 4 sausages, 2 turkey steaks, 4 corn on the cob, 4 bananas.

Bilsborrow

News came in this morning that we would be taken down the locks of the Ribble link on Sunday. We’d then overnight on a pontoon before being let out of the sea lock on Monday morning to do the crossing. The weather forecast is looking good and here’s hoping it is as sunny as it has been today.

We thought that we’d covered just about everything on the Lancaster Canal and had started to kick our heels waiting to cross to the main land. But we were wrong!

Kath from NB Herbie had suggested that it might be worth our while having a look at the garden centre north of Bilsborrow. So once we’d run the engine for a bit we walked up the towpath the mile and a quarter to the next but one bridge. Over the last month we’ve watched a big steel structure being erected by this bridge and wondered what it will become. Each time we pass there is another section going up spreading across the sight. An article in North West Place says that it is going to be a £6 million leisure extension to Barton Grange. With ten pin bowling, a curling rink, cinema, restaurants along with kayak hire. It will be called The Flower Bowl and add to the already existing garden centre, marina, hotel and restaurants.

Green mesh fencing hides a vast car park, similar in size to that at McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in York. As the sign on the gate suggested we had arrived at the ‘Destination Garden Centre of the Year 2017’.

A brown brick wavy path guided us to an archway made from plant pots. We wondered who out of us was the Lion and Tin Man as we approached, not sure what Max would have thought at being renamed Toto!

Storm stayed outside with Max whilst we had an explore inside the garden centre. A large cook shop was first. All sorts of gadgets were for sale, some useful others just a waste of money. Who wants a reusable ice cream cone? Surely they contain healing benefits as well as the chilled medication that goes in them!  I did find us some reusable ice cubes that we’ve been hunting for for months which were possibly the cheapest thing in the shop.

The style of the murals around the area reminded me of naive panto painting. I wonder how much the artist had been paid for them, maybe I should offer my services for the new extension if we get delayed on the crossing further.

Then followed an area being set up for Christmas, large green boards covered much of it, but from what we could see it will be vast, colourful and very flashy. The outside plant section was huge, I just had a peek through the door before entering the farm shop. Here amongst the highly polished apples, extra long spaghetti, pinker than pink beef, rustic pies and chutneys were a few things that took my fancy. A Romanesco cauliflower, some bacon made it into our basket. The two varieties of Vanilla slices also caught my eye, but I managed to refrain even though one had a portion of fruit included (I’ve only just got my cholesterol levels in check).

With wide aisles, lots of light, plenty of heating and treats we could see that in years to come we’d most probably appreciate this destination more. Today it gave us a destination for a walk. By now our levels of retail therapy had been over filled so we joined Max and Storm back outside to walk back to the boats and let the cat out.

0 locks, 2 push overs, 1 canal walk, 2017 destination, 1 estate of a garden centre, £6 funnel, 21 non melting ice cubes, 1 scooter, 1 cauli, 1 pack bacon, 0 vanilla slices, 5 flavours of chilled medication not special enough, 0 hotpot on the menu, 1 full water tank, 2 more hours, 1 cat crown green bowling.

Billsborrow

They didn’t seem to want to move the outside today, might have had something to do with a touch of rain first thing, so I intended to make the very most of it. As they sat down with their food bowls for morning DingDing the doors were opened up and I trotted off into the sideways trees. ‘Two Hours’ she said, but there was lots to get done, it was going to be a busy day!

First there was pouncing. It’s always worth a few practice pounces before you see any friends, just so that the backbone is warmed up nicely. This helps to achieve the maximum spring tension for launch, a bit of bum waggle for trajectory helps too. Occasionally whilst warming up a friend will show their nose, so it’s always best to be fully aware of one’s surroundings, you can’t miss an opportunity!

Then a couple of holes of golf. It was nice of the people here to give me a colour coordinated flag to help find it. Sadly no matter how far I pushed my arm inside there was nothing at the bottom of interest today.

The big expanses of litter came in handy before I carried on along to climb a few trees.

There are quite a few birdies around here, but most are those black and white ones. They really are noisy and seem to want to follow me where ever I go, no good for finding friends to play with. One tree had a good vantage point where I could watch the men putting a new hard edge in. When they went off for some DingDing I got chance to check their work closer. Quite neat and handy for what they call nappy pins. But their sign lied, none of them had umbrellas like Tom’s.

By now my white bits had got a bit dirty so I headed back home for a bit of a bath before I continued being busy.

A fence to up high couldn’t be ignored and it looked like it led to a higher vantage point over the water. The views were good from up there.

Even though it was noisy on the other side I decided to have a trot along to see what I could see. There was a lot of mess everywhere, Tom said ‘Maybe the judging has finished’. Someone really should give it a bit of a sweep, I’d have gladly lent a paw to help, I like sweeping up.

An open door invited me in to a place with lots of climbing frames. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity and right at the top was a reward, lots of rewards! A young girl shooed me away, so not fare!! I’d gone all that way and didn’t get a reward!

I returned over the water and passed these funny houses which all have stuff a bit like grass on top of them, handy for a pedicure as I passed. The views from up there were good too.

A bit peckish, due to lack of treats I returned home to check that my bowl was still full. No-one else had helped themselves, Never ever ever let humans eat your food! It’s not good for them and a waste as they don’t appreciate it. Another wash and brush up and there was time for another tree climbing session before DingDing time……. but the doors were closed! ‘It’s our turn to go out now’ she said. So there was nothing for it but to have a snooze, quite a long one actually.

If anyone wants me I’ll be in my escape pod.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 lazy day, 1 load washing, 1 pot of red, 2nd bag made, 1 pair waders sought, 15 trees, 7 friends, 2 holes, 0 umbrellas, 2 bridges, 0 treats, 3 baths, 1 clean pooh box,  8 hours! £2.49 for frozen peas! 1 quiet evening.

Ribble Link to Bilsborrow

The charts looked hopeful this morning although it was a bit breezy at the top of the locks. Visual inspection of the brook confirmed the level had gone down, would we be going?

With plenty of time today before we’d (possibly) be setting off there was no rush to get everything back in the shower. As the heavens opened at 9.30 we heard a van door. All our heads popped out the back like meerkats eager to see what todays verdict would be. Once the rain settled we went to chat with Chris. Sadly with weather warnings of rain and wind later in the afternoon we wouldn’t be doing the crossing today. Over the next few days the tides are too low, so we will have to wait until the weekend at least for them to be high enough once again.

Chris took our numbers and boat names and said he would call us on Thursday to give us an update on conditions for the weekend. Sunday morning would be the next possible tide, so all being well weather wise they would lock us down on Saturday ready to wait for the tide.

Blackbird needed water and we needed to let Tilly have some freedom before the interior of Oleanna got wrecked. A quick decision to cruise back to Bilsborrow was made. Blackbird led the way back northwards. With the locks now empty Chris could let some water down from the canal.

As we turned out of the basin, heading northwards again it was raining but it soon brightened up as we cruised back the ten miles. At Moon’s Bridge Marina we pulled on to their service mooring (a little more spacious this time). Wanting to get a bottle of gas and a bag of coal, however we’d miss timed our arrival to coincide with their lunch break.

So we pushed off and continued. Soon the fake thatched roofs came into sight of Owd Nells. Workers were dismantling the huge marquees out the back, so we decided to pull along a bit further. Here a work boat was busy replacing a section of collapsed armco, but there was space for the two boats.

After an afternoon of pottering about, Exploring OUTSIDE!!! we headed to try out the White Bull which was due to re-open when we first came through. None of us were quite sure why it had been closed for so long as no refurbishment work appeared to have taken place. They did however serve a good pint of Wainwright at a reasonable price, so we stayed for a couple before returning to the boats to light the stove and have our tea as the wind picked up.

0 locks, 1 vacated, 10.14 miles, 1 right, 1 left, 0 gas, 0 coal, 0 sirens, 3 boats also waiting, 2 days before news, 1 grey afternoon, 1 hour pootle knitting, 1 hour ripping, 1 hour crochet, 3 hours climbing chasing pouncing, 1 miffed Magpie, 4 pints, 1st of three apple and blackberry crumbles, yummy.

Ribble Link Staircase 1

No point rushing to get ready this morning, we already knew the verdict before opening our eyes. The rain storms that had come over head in the night meant that not only did we have a disturbed nights sleep but that the brook would be very full this morning.

Mick checked Gauge Map and Windfinder before we even got out of bed. The brook had risen higher than it had on Saturday, confirming our thoughts.

Windfinder (a new find on the internet) was also suggesting gusts in the afternoon of over 35 knots.

A final visual inspection of the brook, we could see it from the stern of Oleanna but we still went down to the foot bridge to look. So we settled down to have breakfast and wait for Steve to arrive.

No need to confirm what we already knew. He thought that the brook might still be quite full tomorrow, but there was a possibility. However, he and Harry had been chatting. The forecast looked quite good for the weekend. If they could get us down the locks on Saturday then on Sunday if the conditions were right then we’d be able to go on the tide in the morning. The tide time was too early for them to get us through the locks on Sunday morning (which is why it isn’t on the schedule), but we could wait on one of the pontoons on the link. If Sunday wasn’t possible then over the next four days we could pass boats heading up to the link. So we would have five extra chances to cross back to the main land.

Mick had a thought of how he could pass the day. If we asked Blackbird to vacate the top lock, we could then empty the chamber below us, then empty the top chamber with Oleanna in it. She would then be sat on the bottom and he’d be able to access the bowthruster to try to clear it. Refilling it would be the risky bit, so luckily he was only joking. Instead we caught the bus down to Preston Docks.

Here there must be the only Morrisons supermarket with it’s own lighthouse. Is this to warn the locals to keep away! Part way along the huge dock there is a chicane of concrete blocks. They seemed to be being used by the local ducks and swans and are possibly to help break up any waves, leaving the marina moorings calmer than they otherwise would be. A few narrowboats nestled in amongst the cruisers and yachts and we tried to spot the visitor moorings that you’d be diverted to if it wasn’t possible to enter the Ribble Link due to low water.

We walked along sheltering from the sudden downpours at a restaurant and the marina chandlers. Not much of interest at the chandlers as it caters more for cruisers, so no new chimney for Blackbird.

Crossing over the large swing bridge which not only carries the road but also a railway line which leads to the Furness Railway Trust. The lock was huge, wider than Cromwell but not as long. A narrowboat would feel really rather diddy in there on it’s own. A boom covers the entrance from the river, this will open  to allow boats in and out. After another expanse of water there are mitred gates both facing the river and away. These stop the tide both coming and going.

The river was lively. The tide was coming in but there was so much fresh coming downstream, bringing a forest of logs with it, that it was hard to tell. (Flow from the river on the left, tide coming in on the right) Thank you Harry for protecting us from this. Far in the distance we could just make out where the link joined the Ribble (just beyond the pylons on the right). It certainly looked like you wouldn’t need much engine power to punch the tide today, but then you’d be seriously fighting your way up the Douglas.

Sadly there were no engines to be seen at the Engine Shed at the end of the Railway, just some old goods rolling stock on the sidings visible through the trees, this must be where most of the NCB wagons came.

When I’d looked at Google maps I’d imagined the docks to be a bit like Brayford Pool in Lincoln, restaurants and bars up to the waterside. But other than the marina there is little here. Flats overlook from the southside and your usual retail outlets from the north. What a missed opportunity.

As we walked the afternoon gusts built up. The dock water became very lumpy and at times it proved difficult to stand upright, glad we weren’t on the stern of Oleanna in it.

A quick stock up on fresh food before we headed back to the boats. If we are here much longer we’ll be needing a bigger shop, but for now this will do, who knows we might get to cross tomorrow! I hope so! CHASC, The Cat Health and Safety Committee, have been far too cautious and don’t deem it safe for me to go out here! NO idea why, there are trees and sideways trees. I know about staircases! Bridget does her best pulling faces at me through the window, she’s nice, but still no where near as tasty as Jaffa!

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 boats nestled together still, 2 much rain, 2 stronger winds, 2 buses, 1 huge expanse of water, 1 mushroom mooring, 0 trains, 2 standard lamps, 2 jackets potatoes, 4 teas, 0 hot water, 2ft waves, 1 bag made, 1 cat crawling up the cabin sides, 3 steps in a staircase deemed as dangerous, 4 steps on the boat!

Ribble Link to Ashton Basin to Ribble Link Staircase 1

Grey skies greeted us this morning, there had been little rain over night and there was next to no breeze. Things from the well deck got stowed in the shower again and we were ready for the off. Roger arrived and walked down to look at the brook. The level had dropped some more and even though there was a flow it looked quite hopeful. So we all gathered and waited for the C&RT chaps to turn up. Everyone chatted away quite happily, pausing whenever a white van came past and looked like it was going to turn onto the track leading to the locks. Eventually at 9.30 the right van showed itself, paused to unlock the barrier and then carried on to meet us.

Steve climbed out of the van and knew what we all wanted to hear. Just a shame that he didn’t say it. Harry had done his checks this morning and called, the forecast for later today was a problem so we wouldn’t be going. He also told us that it was unlikely that conditions would be suitable tomorrow, so we were all to pray for better weather on Tuesday.

No-one had booked the crossing today, but by Tuesday there would be a total of two widebeams and eight narrowboats, so there would be six full locks. A busy day on the link. If weather conditions are still bad then we will have another ten days to wait before the tides are right for us to go. Quite an extension to our visit.

Mr Widebeam has lost his tow, so unless he can get his engine working better or find another tow then he won’t be crossing. So he swapped places with Blackbird who backed into the lock. After we’d had what is starting to feel like our usual morning cuppa with Roger we said goodbye to him, then we pushed off to head to the services further down the cut towards Preston.

No other traffic on the canal today and we soon arrived at the smart service block to fill with water, empty our yellow water tank and dispose of rubbish. I’d prepared some cruising sausage rolls with the idea to have them hot as we did the crossing, they needed cooking so became non-cruising sausage rolls. To make the most of filling with water I had a shower, but the incredibly poor water pressure meant that filling the tank took a very long time! We carried on to the next winding hole which is just after Ashton Basin with the end of the canal in sight. With no urge to go right to the end Mick started to swing Oleanna round. Almost straight away she reared upwards in the water riding over a submerged something. She came back off again and we managed to get all the way round without any other problems.

Back at the holding basin we winded and reversed into the lock next to Blackbird. This would free up space for other boats that might arrive and mean that we can lock down as soon as Harry says we can. Of course should we not be able to cross on Tuesday then we’ll vacate the lock.

Plans on exploring  Preston docks were rejected in the end due to it being very wet every now and again. We have pottered for the afternoon, I’ve mastered the magic loop technique and ripped up a lot of fabric to make bags with. For much of the afternoon the conditions here didn’t seem too bad, would we have made the crossing safely? But Harry had spoken and he knows his stuff, by 4.15 the wind and rain had joined forces and became horizontal. Glad we weren’t out in that!

1 lock moored in, 42 seconds to lock 2 of the staircase, 3 miles, 3 winds, 1 right, 1 left, 1 aborted crossing, 2nd morning tea with Roger,1 full water tank, 1 empty yellow tank, 1 large lump, 2 wet for docks, 1 border than bored cat, 2 prototypes complete, 3 colours ripped up, 20 fingers crossed, 20 toes crossed, 4 paws crossed 4 Tuesday.

The fifth boat arrived this morning at 7.30am, a wide beam who pulled into the open lock to moor up, there was nowhere else really that he could go without being in the way. But if he thought this would mean that he’d be first down the locks he was wrong.

Roger arrived and had a guided tour of Oleanna and a cuppa before the C&RT chaps turned up. Last nights heavy rain meant that we were all prepared for a wet crossing and we went out to see what Harrys verdict was for us to cross. It turned out that even if the wind was within range we wouldn’t be going anywhere today. The heavy rainfall had caused Savick Brook to go into flood, meaning that the level was too high to get under bridges on the link. When we went down to the bottom of the staircase we could see the strong flow of water bubbling away, which would have made it near impossible to turn out from the bottom chamber safely and it would be behind us, pushing us heading to the locks, very little chance of slowing down.

Over this weekend numerous places are open to the public as part of Heritage Open Days. We’d had a vague look at what was on offer the other day, but not taken much notice as we’d be busy crossing back to the main land. So over breakfast we looked again. For a couple of hours this afternoon you could gain access to the Egyptian Balcony in the Harris Museum. We all wanted to look at the gallery anyway so this spurred us on into town. After a short walk up the very wet towpath we headed across Haslam Park to find a bus.

A rather stunning building inside and out, The Harris Museum contains the Library, Museum and Art Gallery. Built from a bequest from a Preston Lawyer Edmund Robert Harris in memory of his father, Rev. Robert Harris, who had been vicar at St Georges Church for 64 years. The building opened in 1893. The views up through the atrium are as good as they are down.

Artist John Somerscales was commissioned to paint murals for the balcony close to the top of the building. For some reason Egypt was decided on as the subject, this was before the tomb of Tutankhuman was discovered in 1922. He visited the pyramids and made watercolour sketches which informed his final murals. Eight large paintings are interspersed with studies of the Egyptian Pharos. Painted onto canvas as he would as a scenic artist in the theatre, he worked on them over a period of four years. The guides couldn’t tell us if they had been hauled up the atrium to the top of the building or whether the canvases had been rolled up and carried up the narrow staircase.

Considering we had an unexpected extra day in Preston it was nice to be able to do something that we’d only have been able to do today.

Bilsborrow to Ribble Link Bridge 1

Our mooring last night had been noisy at times but then very quiet at others. The theme park that is Guy’s Thatched Hamlet had large marquees out the back and we think they were sound checking for the next few days. They are having an Oyster festival, last night there was Irish music and dancing at the pub, today a seafood lunch. Glad we’ve not there over the weekend, I think it’ll be noisy.

Blackbird pushed over to the services this morning as we headed onwards towards Preston. A mixed day weather wise. Showers followed by bright sunshine. We pulled in at Moon’s Bridge Marina to fill with diesel. The area left free by the pump wasn’t ideal for narrowboats, we didn’t quite fit the gap. However the length of their hose meant that we had to bring the stern to about half way with the bow of Oleanna right across the cut to avoid the tuperware in front, which meant we totally blocked the canal. Luckily the first boat to appear was just as we’d finished and were pulling Oleanna back for me to climb back on board. They came past just as we were about to push out again, which left me fending off, protecting the tuperware and almost falling in.

At Swillbrook, where we’d stayed the second night the cruisers had taken over the visitor moorings, glad we’d stopped where we had last night as there was no space for one of us never mind two. On we pootled through showers, the boat ahead still just in view. We’d thought about going right to the end of the canal for me to pop into town before returning to the rendez vous for the link, but we decided to turn into the top of the link and leave me to walk the rest of the way.

The boat ahead had just moored up behind another narrowboat. There was a possible space on the other side of the basin, but we didn’t think we’d fit, so pulled along side NB Waters Edge and breasted up. It turns out that they live on the High Peak Canal and own the house with Laurel and Hardy in the garden who keep Paddington Bear company. If you’ve ever been along the High Peak you’ll know the garden I mean. Where was Jaffa? When ever we’ve pulled up next to another boat there has been Jaffa. But he wasn’t there! There aren’t even any windows for me to stare through, just green! Bring back my tasty neighbour!

After lunch Blackbird had arrived and whilst Mick attached the anchor and fixed things to the roof Bridget, Storm, Max and myself walked along the canal into town. The canal was far greener than we’d expected. Terraced gardens on the offside and at times a bit too much greenery and mud on the towpath side. The service block and house nearby were very neat and tidy. A short arm spurs off to the south which is full of boats and caravans, quite a nice looking place to moor. Then the canal just simply finishes, stops, no winding hole, just the end.

From here we could see Tulketh Mill up ahead, built in 1905 it was one of Lancashire’s biggest cotton mills. By the end of the 60’s however Prestons cotton industry was finished. In 1968 Littlewoods took over the mill and stayed there for 30 years. Then the Carphone Warehouse took over the building for a call centre employing 2000 people in 2007. We walked though some of the university to get back to Abakhan, the fabric shop where I stocked up with quite a bit of fabric for crochet bags and some wool. Bridget was a very good assistant acting as a sherpa as I made up my mind on colours.

When we returned to the basin there were people standing around the top of the staircase locks. Three boats had done the crossing today and were making their way up the locks. The wind had been quite strong for them out on the river, hopefully tomorrow will be calmer. Apparently there will be five of us tomorrow, still one boat to arrive. The C&RT chaps will be with us at 9am, they will chat with Harry (custodian of the link) over in Tarleton, checking on conditions before they let us down the locks. My escape pod has been zipped together in readiness for tomorrow. I’ve already moved in. Just a few things to bring inside in the morning and we’ll be ready for our crossing to the main land.

0 locks, 10.09 miles, 124 litres, 1 out board motored canoe, 1 right, 4 boats waiting, 3.5kg fabric, 200grams alpaca wool, 2 canalside bars, 3 boats crossed, 1 escape pod at the ready.

Garstang to Bilsborrow

Today being Thursday it was market day in Garstang. Before continuing our journey southwards we decided to have a look round. Taking over much of High Street the buses get diverted on market days. There is the usual mix of sweets, slippers and cheap diy bits and bobs (Newark still wins at this). We walked from one end to the other checking out each stall.

As we got near to the end a very cheery Hilary McGrath came past. She is the Town Crier and had her full costume on. An invite to join her for a cuppa and a slice of cake around the corner was handed to us. This was very nice of her, but after a few purchases we wanted to head back to Oleanna and be on our way. So next time we are here we might take her up on her offer.

With socks, insoles, baseball cap, hose and a pork pie in our bag we headed back just as the drizzle was getting slightly heavier. We could have waited to see if it abated, but decided to head off after donning full waterproofs. Blackbird pulled out behind us and both boats waved goodbye to Garstang. The rain kept coming, mostly drizzle as we wound our way out of town disturbing Harry the Heron time and time again.

A lonely cow and it’s very new born calf watched as we passed. Only one boat heading the other way today and luckily we met the speeding widebeam on a wide stretch. Passing Barton Grange Marina the new buildings have come on a long way since we passed a month ago. We spotted The Margaret Kane, the charity boat Roger skippers tucked away in a corner. Families with additional needs can hire the boat for short breaks at a minimum cost.

Soon the long line of visitor moorings at Bilsborrow came into view. We pulled over to the services to top up and empty tanks. With this done we pushed over and pulled in behind Blackbird. With no reasonable moorings we could think of before Preston, this will be our last stop, leaving about ten miles to do tomorrow. With the pram cover up we have nestled down inside as the heavens have opened time and time again. As Bridget said, a duvet day. The radio has been on with Test Match Special whilst Tilly has been out loving getting wet. Here’s hoping the sky runs out of rain by Saturday.

0 locks, 4.8 miles, 12 pairs socks, £5, 1 pair thermal insoles, 75ft hose, 1 hand bell, 1 tricorne, 2 full sets of waterproofs, 1 tank full, 1 tank empty, 1 very wet afternoon, 1 brilliantly wet Himalayan Balsam forest to find friends in.