Back on the Leeds Liverpool

As expected, we didn't do the Ribble Link on Saturday & we were told it would probably be Monday or Tuesday but there was an 20% chance that it could be Sunday. We had already moved up to the moorings at the sports arena & were asked to stay there rather than clog the basin, you have to reverse into the staircase locks so need a bit of wriggle room. We were to expect a phone call at 9am Sunday for an update.
 I really didn't think we would be going so Eric, who has been spending a few days with us, was making plans to get the train back to Manchester on Sunday, it's his School Prom this evening which he didn't want to miss (what was wrong with an school disco!)  had to pick up his suit from the tailors (didn't need a suit for a disco!) & wouldn't have got back in time had we done the link today.

With bags packed, buses & train times sorted, just to be sure I sent a quick text to Steve (BW) "assume we are not going today?" A phone call back 5 minutes later " get into the basin, you're off!"  Which pleased Eric as he still got to do the Ribble Link which he had been looking forward to it. 

   10 minutes later we arrive at the basin which has 6 other narrow boats 

& 1 cruiser waiting to go down.

 & the Fire Brigade ?? 

Turns out they were waiting for us to go so they do some exercises

 2nd pair goes down, our turn next

 1st time we've had a fireman do a lock for us! 5 minutes later they left hurriedly on a shout.

 We followed nb Tereen reversing out of the bottom lock,

No photos of the next bit, Savick Brook, which was a bit of a nightmare, the brook had been in flood on Friday & when water levels returned to normal a thick layer of sticky mud was left on the lock landings so we had a job keeping our feet.

After a brief respite at the holding basin the sea lock is opened & a surge pulls us all forward causing a bit of chaos for a few moments & lots of shouts of "reverse!!" the little cruiser is dragged forward & then spun around by the strong current. Somehow we get sorted out.. 

 & Steve sees us thorough  the sea lock 

 & we head out onto the river

 the rain clears & the sun comes out.

 smiling faces

  Rounding Asland Lamp

& down the long straight to Tarleton lock, apologies for the quality of the photo, the camera battery had died, this was taken on my phone & has also been cropped. Through the lock & we were moored up on Tarleton visitor Moorings by 4.30pm.

We got the bus into Burscough this morning, did a quick Tesco shop & Eric got the train back to Manchester, hopefully not forgetting to pick up the suit on the way home & as I type should be on his way to the Prom, I hope there will be photos. ;)

Poppy was booked in to Mayors Boatyard this week to have her bottom shot blasted & then a 2 pack epoxy blacking applied but the weather is against us, 3-4 dry days are needed & that's not this week :( so we will just be hanging about waiting, fingers are crossed for coming out of the water on Saturday. 

The weather looked good for tomorrow & we had planned to get the second coat of paint on the roof but I've just heard the weather on the radio & it's now forecasting showers by lunchtime.....just for a change.

Flaming June ??

When we crossed the Ribble Link in April the weather was dreadful, wind & rain, never mind we said, it'll be a better crossing when we go back down in June.  Pah! we are sat here near Lea Town, a couple of miles or so from the link, it's blowing a gale & has not stopped raining all day. 
Not sure if the crossing will happen or not, can't see it myself but will have to see what tomorrow brings. We will move up to the basin early am & await orders.

Soona is not impressed

Lancaster

We spent much of last week in Carnforth after moving up there on Tuesday, the weather was miserable so we settled in to sit it out & had a fire most days. Our batteries were getting tired so we took the opportunity of the canal side car park at the Canal Turn pub to get some delivered from Alpha Batteries although in the event the driver didn't manage to find the car park, he parked on the main road & carried them up, still good service though & our inverter has stopped squeaking after an hour or so of TV ;-) 

The weather forecast for Sunday was for some sunshine & not much wind so we were off early doors, glad to be moving again. The plan was to go up to Tewitfield, turn round & come back down the mile or so to the Capernwray Arm. The plan unravelled a bit as when we went passed the arm it was full but Mark (who was walking ahead) spotted a likely place at Borwick. So that's what we did & it was a lovely mooring with cracking views. 

 From the side hatch

& from the towpath

We needed to use the plank for the 1st time in ages which was no problem to Soona & Sid

 There is something down there!

 We found this narrow plank some time ago & it came in useful as a cat plank so they can get in the bow  as well as the stern, just in case they need to get away from  passing dogs etc.

 Leaving at 7am on a glorious morning. It was a very pleasant cruise & until we got to Hest Bank we had the canal to ourselves & then it got really busy with 5 boats oncoming in just a few minutes, one of them was Nb Epiphany & we managed a quick hello as we passed each other.

We are now back in Lancaster & I'm about to leave Mark to his own devices for a few days whilst I nip off  visiting family.  It's a good job we have some new batteries as the TV will be getting a bit of extra use due to some football thing....

Back in Hest Bank

We came up here on Friday, stopping off in Lancaster for a couple of hours to pick up some food for the weekend, it was a very pleasant cruise in the sunshine

 Yours truly negotiating the Lune Aqueduct,

 not too difficult as dead straight & no wind!

 

Mark in charge of the camera for a change

One of Mark's pics

 

& another,  Morcambe Bay & the Cumbrian hills coming into view

 This swallow sat still just long enough for a photo ( heavily cropped)

After yesterday's washout when we had to put the chimney back on & light a fire it was so cold & damp, we were keen to get out in the sunshine today

 

so we walked back up to Rakes Bridge

& down the track

along the lane 

past the kids enjoying splashing about in Happy Mount Park,

 to Morcambe, not the best photo but I wanted to get the hills in the distance.

We did a bit of pottering, called in to the indoor market were I got some bits & bobs I wanted for crochet from the excellent wool & haberdashery stall then a visit to Morrisons provided us with the makings of a picnic which we enjoyed sitting on the sea wall. 

Mark treated himself to a couple of bottles of Bank's Bitter from Aldi, a bargain at 99p which nicely quenched his thirst once we'd walked back home.

Tomorrow the weather looks iffy again but we shall move on regardless as we will need the services at Carnforth, the ones in Hest Bank being permanently closed. Not sure were we will moor, shall see what turns up.