Galgate to Lancaster, the blog continues!
 

Since the Ribble Link was opened in 2002 I have had a burning ambition! Actually we both have! We wanted to visit Lancaster via the canals. The reason? Our son Craig was at University here from 2000 and we had gravitated to the canal on the few visits we did from Cornwall. It was a very long way, even by car!

To bring Twelfth Night (our share boat from 2000 - 2006) was an impossible dream, but our own boat - of course we could! So once we had Epiphany and we started cruising continuously we had to do it! The whole of the last 9 months have been with this aim in mind.

So here is our "triumphal arrival" - well it is to us!

I left you at Galgate, this too is an area favoured by boaters, as if one is not going down the Glasson Arm it is only a 2 mile walk to the basin at the end.

Moorings at Galgate

We had spotted the University Campus from the canal after Ellel Hall Bridge (88) - the tall tower of one of the colleges and the halls of residence.

Uni Campus in distance

At Brant Beck Bridge the canal enters a long wooded cutting, known as Burrow Heights Cutting or Deep Cutting. This was cut through glacial deposits, avoiding a long detour. I was surprised to read that the cutting is about 30 foot deep and over a mile long. It reminded us of bits of the Shroppie - but it is definitely not Woodseaves cutting!

Burrow Beck is crossed on an aqueduct - of siphon type which discharges the beck back to its original level.

Burrow Beck aqueduct on our right

After deep Cutting Bridge we emerged into sunlight and more farmland

Near Aldcliffe Lancaster Castle can just be seen in the distance. This corner was known as "Hangman's Corner" named by condemned prisoners who were exercised here.

Distant Lancaster Castle

For me, entering Lancaster began by Haverbreaks Bridge and boat house

Then Aldcliffe Iron Bridge and the row of Lancastrian cottages

The City Centre and Basin, the best place to moor is entered at Bridge 98

Out hearts were beating a little faster, we were excited, we felt rather emotional!

I missed taking photos of the old Packet Boat House and the former BW yard. I was too busy getting ready to moor. I will have to wander back with the camera on a good day soon!

We moored in the basin, just opposite Chancellor's Wharf and before what is known locally as The Witch. Chancellor's Wharf is student accommodation and The Witch is The Waterwitch Pub with outside seating canalside.

WE HAD ARRIVED - an ambition achieved!
 

Add comment

Name (required)

E-mail (required, but will not display)

Title (required)

Notify me of follow-up comments

Refresh

Send

Cancel