Our adventures on the Glasson Branch

Thursday, 18 June 2009 17:56

We said a sad goodbye to Lancaster this morning - we may not be back by boat for a while. Leaving the basin, the old BWB buildings are at bridge 98.

BWB buildings

BWB old wharf

The warehouse on the wharf was used to repair Packet Boats in the mid 1800s. It could hold two boats who were hoisted up to the upper floor for repair.

The canal soon enters the countryside and then Deep Cutting before more open countryside approaching Galgate. The Glasson Branch travels west down 6 double locks from the junction at Galgate.

As we arrived, two narrowboats were coming out and as the locks have to be left empty we saved them a job! All the top paddles are locked with a BW watermate key, but as we discovered, the windlass is superfluous as all the paddle gear have handles attached.

Top paddle gear

The top paddle gear is like we saw on the disused Northern Reaches so it was interesting to see them in use. The bottom paddles and gear are like the sliding gear on the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Wooden paddles on bottom gate lock 2

Sliding gear lock 4

I decided to have a go at lock 2 - boy were they hard

There is a technique but they do need a lot of muscle! So we worked out a routine, particularly as it was very windy! We would moor Epiphany at the lock landing and both go and open the top paddles. I would open the gate and John brought Epiphany in. I shut the gate and swapped with John who then opened the bottom paddles and opened the bottom gates. I took the boat out and hovered in the bridge hole waiting for John.

Lock 4 was our nemesis!

The wind was so strong at the lock landing and Epiphany took some shifting! Eventually after much reversing, pushing off and more reversing John had her under control and brought her into the lock. However he then went down the weed hatch - a large fertiliser bag around the prop had not helped!

It was a good job that the scenery was so pastoral and calming!

Another boat arrived and they did the bottom paddles and gates for us - we were grateful! They asked if we were staying in Glasson Basin, when we said 'yes' they offered us their mooring just before the Basin. We thanked them profusely as we did not fancy "playing" around in the Basin with the windy conditions.

Leaving lock 4

Lock 5 and the bottom gear changed - it was more like the gear we were used to, except for that handle!

I did all the work here, as the wind was really bad!

At lock 6 is The Mill Inn

The canal company bought the mill for £1,000 in 1824 to ensure its right to take water from the River Conder and divert it to the mill. The mill was fed by canal water from above lock 5 and the tail race returned it below lock 6.

Thurnham Bridge (6) crosses the canal after the lock and two more bridges lead to Glasson Basin. I could see white horses in Glasson Basin, so we were really grateful for our borrowed mooring, as it was just before the entry into the Basin and comparatively sheltered!

By the time we were moored and settled the sun, that had been peeking out occasionally, came out with more vigour. It has not chased the wind away and it looks as if we have blustery conditions for a couple of days. We shall be staying put and exploring!

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