A canalside stroll in Galgate

The Lancaster canal opened in 1799, connecting Preston to the village of Tewitfield (a few miles north of Lancaster). At around about the same time, the southern part of the canal, from Chorley to Clayton le Woods, also opened, the two sections being joined by a tramway. By 1819, the northern section was extended to Kendal, enabling coal from the Lancashire coalfields around Wigan to be transported north, and limestone from Kendal and Burton to be moved south.

The tramway at the southern branch of the canal closed in the 1850s and the southern section became a spur of the Leeds & Liverpool canal, but the remainder remained in use until after the war in the 1940s. Then commercial traffic ended, and when the M6 was built in the 1950s, rather than build over the canal, they simply blocked it off.

The link to Glasson Dock had been completed in 1826, connecting to the main canal near Galgate. Earlier in the spring, we explored the Glasson end of the canal and visited the hamlet of Condor Green, but today's walk took us along the canal towpath at the opposite end of the Glasson spur, around the village of Galgate.

Galgate has a colourful marina, and there were plenty of boats moored up on both sides of the canal. The village is a popular stopping point for barges, being easily accessible from the canal towpath and possessing the added advantage of having a good chippy!

Our walk took us along the towpath past the marina and down to the start of the Glasson branch. From here, we walked down to the next set of locks before retracing our steps back. Interestingly, the top set of locks on the branch are kept locked by British Waterways - any boaters wishing to us the branch must ask for the keys and after use, the locks must be kept empty. This helps ensure that the water level in the main canal is maintained.

The canal is particularly popular in the summer months, but at the moment, because of the M6, boaters can only go as far as Tewitfield. Beyond this point the 'Northern Reaches' of the canal have been built over in several places, although there are now plans to restore the canal all the way to Kendal. If these plans come off, a new marina and basin would be developed, although the costs of the proposals are high. It will be interesting to see if the redevelopment of the Northern Reaches progresses over the next few years, and if it does, what this will mean for Kendal and for the canal itself.

Finding a view over Latterbarrow

On today's agenda was a drive to the Lakes with Mum and Dad and friends Ian and Sue for a walk in the fresh air. We were heading to the picturesque village of Hawkshead, to the west of Lake Windermere, and our goal was the distinctive fell top of Latterbarrow, who's large obelisk overlooks the village.

First stop in time for lunch was a secluded bay on the shores of Esthwaite Water, one of the least visited lakes in the Lake District. Here there were views across the lake out towards the Fairfield range several miles in the distance. Although the forecast was promising, it was decidedly chilly by the side of the lake. But we knew we would soon warm up once we were on our way and climbing.

At 803ft, Latterbarrow doesn't make it into Wainwright's catalogue of 214 fell tops in his Lakeland Guides, but he did later have a change of heart by including it in his mop-up book 'Outlying Fells of Lakeland'. Because of this, Latterbarrow doesn't resonate with most seasoned fellwalkers, which is a pity because the reward for a modest climb are some sensational views right round from the Coniston Fells in the south-west to Kentmere in the south-east.

Before reaching the top though, there's some climbing to do, but the motivation comes from the views backwards over towards the Langdales which gradually improve all the while as height is gained. However as this view disappears behind the trees, the landscape ahead suddenly becomes quite bleak as we walk towards an area where the trees have been cleared and not replaced. All that remains are the stumps of the trees felled and the odd decaying tree still standing - a scene reminiscent of a battlefield.

It's worth persevering through this stretch though - as the path eventually returns to woodland full of life, and the path to the summit soon comes into view through the trees.


The views from the top are just sensational and just had to be captured in a long panorama shot. Click the image above to see the view in more detail. Hopefully I'll soon be updating my Walking Blog with a more detailed explanation of the actual walk, as well as some more photos - I'll add the link shortly.

Birthday picnics and kite flying in Lytham

For her birthday, Carole chose to spend the day on the Fylde coast, where, weather permitting, we could enjoy a summer picnic on the grass at Lytham before an afternoon stroll along the sea front (or should that be river front?). With both sets of parents coming along too, the day was set to be a great family day out.

Although the glorious weather from the previous few weeks had broken down (although to be honest it had been a little too hot for us anyway), the forecast for the day was set fair, with the best of the weather on the west coast - so Carole's choice of venue was perfect.

We started the day a couple of miles up the coast from Lytham centre, in Fairhaven, where the lake is a pleasant spot for a stroll. After the customary photos, we strode off around the lake, watching its flocks of Canada geese whilst watching out for the obstacles they tend to leave behind. The lake itself is a very pleasant place, with plenty of activities available for those so inclined, such as tennis, bowls and crazy golf, as well as a cafe and even a well-stocked RSPB visitor centre, which is worth a look. The lake is just over 1km long so the circular walk around is perhaps almost 2 miles in total and takes about ¾hr. By lunchtime we were back by the green in Lytham, unpacking cool-bags, rugs and chairs for our picnic.

It was, in truth, a little on the cool side for a picnic, but in true British spirit we stuck it out regardless, even though there weren't many others around! Carole still had a couple of presents to open and there was still a cake to cut! There was of course far too much food to eat, so when Dad got the kites out there wasn't at first much enthusiasm from us to join in.


Even so, the breeze was fairly conducive to kite flying and before long we had all three kites in the air, although perhaps not simultaneously. The erratic way the kites dived down towards the ground at speed ensured that we had plenty of space to ourselves!

Later we took a stroll down to the lifeboat station and shop, then on to Lytham's famous landmark, the windmill, which was open with an exhibition of its history and of milling in general.

As the afternoon turned to evening, we returned to the cars and headed north, through Blackpool and on to Bispham for a fish and chip supper - a traditional way to end a lovely day!

The Hens at Wigan Pier

Carole was out on the town last night at Bev's hen party. The girls had chartered a canal barge from Wigan Pier which was kitted out inside for a party, and they spent the evening making much merriment on board the Kittewake.


Carole did manage a great shot of the hens, but this unfortunately was taken before Bev herself had arrived!

The Boys are back in town

"Guess who just got back today?
Them wild-eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed, haven't much to say
But man, I still think them cats are crazy"
Thin Lizzy

Wibble's wedding is fast approaching now and as the girls get ready for a hen night tonight at Wigan Pier, the boys were heading to the outfitters in Crewe for a suit fitting. The perfect excuse to relive past times and post this picture with the boys from the morning of my wedding several years ago.

Car trouble... and catching up with friends

A few weeks ago I'd arranged an evening's golf at Hindley Hall Golf Club, not far from work, with some work colleagues. With the planned date looming next Tuesday, I'd hoped to have the chance to practice my swing at the driving range before making a fool of myself on the course. However, these plans were scuppered when, as Carole backed her car off the drive, the car began making a strange squealing sound and promptly dropped what looked like a horseshoe on the drive. Being due for a hair appointment, Carole took the big car instead and left me with the problem of working out what had fallen off and what to do about it - and no time for golf or the means to get there.

After some intensive research (ie phoning Dad), we established that it must be part of the suspension which had collapsed, so I rang the local Ford main dealer to arrange for them to collect the car and fix it. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hello, can you help please, my car's suspension has just collapsed as we tried to move it just now. Can I arrange for you to fix it for me?"

Ford Garage: "Certainly, sir, we can fit you in next Tuesday, but if you'd like to bring it down now you can leave it with us now."

Me: "No, I don't think you understand; it's not driveable at the moment - you'll need to collect it on your recovery vehicle."

Ford Garage: "Are you a member of the AA sir, or the RAC?"

Me: "Why are you asking me that?"

Ford Garage: "Well, we don't have a recovery vehicle any more, so if you're in the AA, they will bring it here for you!"

Me: "Are you seriously telling me that the local main Ford dealership doesn't have a recovery vehicle?

Ford Garage: "As I say, are you in the AA?"

Needless to say, they didn't get our business; instead I rang a local independant garage, who, when he found out that we live just round the corner from his own house, suggested we put the keys through his letterbox so that he could collect the car from our driveway without us needing to be there. Guess who'll be getting our business when the car next needs a service?

Anyway, by the evening, we'd arranged to visit Gail and Barry, who made us a fantastic chinese meal (all home made), and we caught up with Ruth as well for the first time this year. An excellent evening to round off a frustrating day.

Fathers' Day

Happy Fathers' Day to Brian and Kevan - there was plenty of laughs along the way as they enjoyed their day!



PS - I've finally managed to catch up and write a blog covering Beryl and Terry's 40th Anniversary celebration.

Painting for charity

Today was a day of work with a difference - rather than a day at the office, I joined several of my colleagues to spend the day helping the Manchester-based charity NEARIS paint two rooms in their centre on Swan Street.

NEARIS was established 1992 to provide education, resettlement and rehabilitation services for adults experiencing problems with drugs, alcohol, mental ill-health, homelessness and / or offending behaviour. Their centre in Manchester is also known by the acronym MERC (Manchester Educational Resettlement Centre), which previously existed as an educational project in its own right going back to 1977.

This was the second time we'd supplied a team of volunteers to help NEARIS brighten up their training and educational rooms, and today's challenge was to re-paint their training room / kitchen area and their art room. I was part of the team concentrating on the art room, a large, airy, bright space ideally suited for teaching art.

We achieved more than we expected to; not only repainting the walls but also painting the skirting boards, doors and door frames too - to the delight of the regular staff and volunteers.

For me the day was not only motivating, uplifting and perhaps a little humbling, but also sad and a little anguished too. I reflected about past times, good and bad, with my late cousin Ian, before alcohol and drugs took over his world and eventually, after a long and painful decline, and despite the best efforts of his family, led to his death at just 35. Maybe had he sought help from NEARIS he could have turned things round, so if they can change the lives of others faced with similar turmoil then I for one applaud them.

4x4xExcess at Wibs' stag weekend

The head has finally cleared and the body has eventually recovered following a weekend of excess at Wibble's stag do in Leeds. Of course I have a duty to keep silence over the weekend's events although its good to know some of us did our bit for the Australian economy.

One event that can be reported on was a visit to Thirsk on the Friday where we tested our skills at off-road Land Rover driving. None of us had done this before and so even though we all left with our heads held high, there were a few moments along the way where things didn't go according to plan: Wibs had difficulty finding the gears, I managed to find reverse when forward would have been a better option and Craig couldn't understand the difference between first and third which isn't much fun when you're going down a near vertical slope and there's a tree at the bottom.

Wibs heads down one of the severe slopes on the course (at least he's in the right gear, Craig).

Fortunately we all survived to enjoy the rest of the weekend, despite becoming much poorer as a result. Thanks guys for a great weekend!

I'm still here!

Life has been hectic over the past few weeks which has meant the blogs have had to take a back seat for a while. There's still been plenty of opportunities for photos though, just no time to process and publish them!

In the meantime I managed to squeeze in a birthday, and here's a picture to celebrate:



I hope to post some more updates shortly,
Iain