Final cruise on the Lanky - for a while!

A blustery day for our final excursion

We had another head of navigation to get to this morning - well as far as we could go into Preston. The Lancaster Canal actually finishes at Aqueduct Street, a mile north west from Preston City centre. We could only go as far as Ashton Basin which is about 250 yards from here.

We passed the entrance to the basin for the Ribble Link, just as the last two boats were reversing into the first lock. That will be us tomorrow, boo hoo!

Ribble basin under bridgeBasin

Cottam Mill Bridge 16Cottam Mill Bridge

The Mill beside itCottam Mill

Haslam Park is beside the canal between bridges 14 and 12 on the towpath side. It is a pity that there are no moorings here - the canal edge is far too shallow.

On the off-side after this the canal is lined by gardens - worth a few photos which I shall share sometime! Savick Brook is crossed on a nondescript aqueduct with a dry waterfall beside it. This is the same Savick Brook that we travel tomorrow, but with much more water - we hope!

After bridge 12, Woodhampton Road there is a large factory complex which dominates the skyline.

FactoryFactory

Blackpool Road Bridge (11a) is closely followed by Roebuck BridgeBridge 11a

It is just possible to moor after Roebuck Bridge - we saw nb Reg manage it and there are a few shops here. We continued on down to Ashton Basin. This is the base for Arlen Hire Boats and has a few long term moorings.

Entrance to Ashton BasinAshton Basin

It is recommended that narrowboats wind here as the next few yards brings one to the end! We did so and began our return journey.

Passing Cadley sani-station after bridge 12 we noticed that there were 14 day moorings, room for 2 boats. Both were taken and we wondered if a 24 hour mooring limit would be better as then it could be used by more Preston-visiting boats.

Sani stationCadley

We managed to get something around our prop - there is a bit of rubbish near the bridges. Making our way back to the Ribble Link Basin we joined two other boats already there - nb Saffron and nb Jay Bees. Nb Reg joined us after lunch. We are all ready for the off tomorrow!

Epiphany moored in the basinIn Link Basin


Bridge 23 to Preston and back to Ribble Link Basin - 2 hours 30 minutes, 5.55 miles

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