Update

It’s some time since my last blog, an error I will rectify. A number of things have caused me to reevaluate life and therefore we have refurbished our home, and even though we have now got the home of our dreams, have also bought a caravan, and seem to spend more time away than we ever did in the past. 

On the canal walk side of things, between us, Buddy and I can say we have now managed to get to Lancaster by doing various stretches through the past year. I managed to take some pictures I am pleased with and will pop a few on. I haven’t given up on completing my target but now we have the caravan it might just take a bit longer. Still out and about though, off to Keswick later. 

There’s a kingfisher in the middle, just having a rest. 

Barton Grange to Garstang

After a rainy start to the day, I didn’t think Buddy and I would be able to get out and about, but the weather changed in our favour, and Tracey, my wife, needed to pop to Barton Grange garden centre to get some items for my mother. This gave us the opportunity as it was now bright sunshine to walk along the towpath of the canal to Garstang.

Barton Grange Garden Centre

As it’s not my favourite place to shop, I was happy to leave the hustle and bustle of the coach trippers and young children being dragged around by their grandparents acting as childminders  and start off on the canal. There was the odd dark cloud about, but it was predominately a clear sky and i was hopeful that any rain would be slight. In fact, we had none and it was to get warmer. I forgot to apply suncream and regret it a bit whilst i type this with a slightly red forehead!

    

I was surprised by the number of ducklings on the canal as I thought they would have been growing up by now, unless these were a second brood as the weather has been mild.

    

Flowers were abundant too, and it makes such a pleasant walk being surrounded by it all rather than the shuttle and bustle of Blackpool. This walk does however, have running alongside it in places the main Preston to Scotland rail link as well as the M6 in the distance of which both can produce their own noises which over time can be a bit monotonous.

After four and a half miles it was pleasing to see Garstang in the distance and the thought of a pint did speed us up a bit in the end. The canal network does have it’s benefit of nice local pubs alongside it! Cheers.

Entering Garstang

Bridge over the River Wyre

Th’old Tithebarn

Ruskin’s view

A day visit to Kirkby Lonsdale, isn’t complete without a walk from the spectacular Devil’s Bridge, and follow the picturesque River Lune. After a short while you climb up to the wonderful viewpoint of Ruskin’s View, which was described by John Ruskin in 1875 as ‘one of the loveliest views in England, therefore in the world’. The view was also painted by Turner in 1822.

 

Buddy loves swimming and even though it is shallow in places, there are also deep pools and strong currents to be aware of. In the past, I’ve seen people jump of Devil’s bridge into the river, but this is now outlawed by the local council as it is very dangerous.  The bridge was probably built by the monks of St Mary’s Abbey, York. In common with many bridges of the same name, legend holds that the Devil appeared to an old woman, promising to build a bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross over it. When the bridge was finished, the woman threw bread over the bridge and her dog chased after it, thereby outwitting the Devil. Several large stones in the surrounding area, including the Great Stone of Fourstones, are ascribed to the Devil‘s purse-strings bursting open as he ferried masonry to build it.

 

Leaving the bridge behind us, we stopped so Buddy could show off his swimming techniques and always run back to me to shake off the excess water all over me before running back in!

 

The I’m not getting out look!

After a swim and get Dad wet period, we walked along the river to the steep steps which lead up to St Mary’s Church and the Ruskin view which today was clear and you could understand why Ruskin felt it was so beautiful back then in 1875.

               

 

Ruskin’s view.

St Mary’s Church

 

 

 

Nicky Nook

Paddling is such fun!

On a very hot day, I thought it would be nice to go for a walk to one of my favourite places, Nicky Nook. Even though it was hot, Buddy enjoyed the shady paths through the woods, and paddling in the stream that’s runs through.

Loving the cold stream

At the end of the reservoir is a peaceful setting with a bench in the shade. A nice place to unwind. Followed by a nice walk to Grisedale Bridge through a wooded glade with wooden bridges. Then out onto pastures with a view of the Lakes and Lancaster.

 

Nice and relaxing in a cool spot

 

 

Lancaster and the Lakes

Walking around areas like this so close to Blackpool, makes me realise how lucky we are in Lancashire to  have such scenery on our doorstep. So grateful  for now that Fracking has been refused planning permission.

 

 

 

Middlewich FAB (Folk and Boats)

With my love of the  canals and following on from last week’s visit to Anderton Boat lift, we ventured to Middlewich to their Folk and Boats festival. We went on the Friday as we felt it would be too  busy with children, who are Buddy’s pet hate, and also the boats would  be arriving and setting  up. We weren’t let down.

                                        

Even though the weather was cloudy, the rain kept off and it was pleasant.  The  Folk music element is run in the main in the centre  off the town, and it could be heard from the banks of the canal. I’m sure visitors over the weekend will have a very enjoyable time. Some of the boats were  decorated and we  met some of the trading boats from last week who  had told us of this festival.

Sweets. mmm

Whilst at the festival, it also  helped us  to spread even further the Find Izzy campaign for some lovely Cockerpoo owners in Bury, whose loving pet sadly ran off from their home after builders unwittingly opened the door and she made a bolt for it. We have  been able  to drive around with magnets highlighting their loss and  contact numbers as well as hand ot leaflets to dog walkers and  local pubs, (good job there were so many in Middlewich!) as well as  some new traders on barges on the canal. I know some people think that we may well resign ourselves to a loss, but you do  hear so many other tales of pets being found after a lengthy period of time. We will not give up and will continue to help them find her.

Facebook page is Find Izzy if you could read it and  keep your eyes on the lookout as she could be anywhere. #FindIzzy.

https://www.facebook.com/HelpfindIzzyWizz?fref=ts

Anderton Boat Lift

After getting a new car, decided to  have a bit of a  trip, and went towards Cheshire, and  ended up  just outside Northwich at a very  picturesque and busy  Trent and Mersey Canal at Anderton Boat  Lift. The lift was built back in 1875  and was used to transfer cargo boats loaded with Cheshire salt from the river Weaver some  50feet below up to the canal. As well as watching the lift and boats move, we were lucky that there were a small number of trading boats selling this such as cheese, fudge and scented candles. They were moored here ready for next weeks Middlewich   FAB (folk and Boats) Festival.

Luckily the rain kept off and a  relaxing day was had and Buddy enjoyed a different canal path for  a  change. The  marinas were very busy, and it got us thinking about a boating holiday, but we both prefer home comforts so not so sure. It might take a bit of persuading!

I have been suffering with a bit of a chest infection so walks have been reduced but the antibiotics are kicking in so we will start again soon. The idea of walking the full length of the Lancaster Canal has taken a back burner for now, and a  different project may take its’ place. We’ll see. Any suggestions?

 

Fudge Boat!

Downham near Clitheroe

Asheton Arms

Looking down from Asheton Arms

A bit misty by the Seaside today, so decided after some recommendation, to travel to a small picturesque village just outside Clitheroe called Downham. I had been recommended to  visit the local Pub the Asheton Arms for dinner as their fish and chips are highly recommended. However, on this occasion, I merely parked the car outside and purely for investigative reasons had a pint and perused my maps before heading off down the hill towards Pendle Hill.  It was lambing season, so for  the majority of our 5 and a half mile walk, Buddy had to be kept on his lead as he would have wanted to run off and play alongside the lambs whilst their mothers would have wanted to charge at us!

The views from the higher part of the walk were excellent and with the sunshine made a warm and very enjoyable walk.

On arrival back in Downham, near to the Beck which runs through the village is a little ice cream shop, where both Budy and me managed to polish off a vanilla tub each! We deserved it!!!

View back at village from Ice Cream shop. The Pub is at the top of the hill.

Find Izzy

After seeing on Facebook and an article http://m.burytimes.co.uk/news/12865736.Thousands_help_devastated_family_in_search_for_missing_dog/

The sad loss of a cockerpoo to a loving family in Bury, we decided to do our bit and help by walking around a muddy but beautiful Elton reservoir where Izzy used to run and play. We left Blackpool in a misty haze but on arriving outside the Wellington Pub the sun shone and blue skies brightened the day. 

Whilst walking around watching the yachts race, it was a lovely place but in stopping to take in the view it made us think how frightened Izzy must be away from her loving home. We will go back and look again soon.  

       

Garstang

Not thinking of it being Good Friday, popped over to Garstang in the aim of picking up some things from the pet shop on the high street. As I have worked in the past on Good Friday in retail I thought the shops would be open. WRONG! 

How nice it was though to see a religious festival being honoured. Hope they’re open tomorrow. 

Managed a walk round with Buddy so it wasn’t a wasted trip. The flower borders near the car park were lovely.  

     A quieter than normal day in Garstang. Even quieter than a Sunday. 

Crosby

We travelled out of town today to a wild and windy Crosby to enjoy the bracing sea air and the statues in the sands.

Crosby Beach is now the permanent home to ‘Another Place’, the sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Gormley. The beach has been awarded the Quality Coast Award by Keep Britain Tidy. The QCA award tells visitors that the standards of beach management are of the highest quality in the UK.

Visitors can walk along the Coastal Path and take in views of the sea, the Wirral and North Wales. Access to this strip of coast is good with four train stations and free car parks at Crosby Marine Lake, Mariners Road and Hall Road. The 22 mile Sefton Coastal Path starts here and a section of the national cyclepath network runs the length of the Park.

Buddy had a ball running around and seemed confused by the statues, particularly those that had been clothed by the locals.

We managed to walk the length of the promenade from the HM coastguard to the local sports centre and back before the rain descended and enjoyed a coffee from the mobile van on the car park before heading back the scenic route via a sunny Southport. All in all a lovely relaxing Sunday.