Bilsborrow

Today's Canal - Lancaster

Before setting off Mike took a look at what lay behind the hedges on both sides of the canal.

To the north is yet another large new housing development by Barratts - they have been building extensively on the green land to the south of Cottam. This looks to be the last piece of infill before they look for some other greenfield site to gobble up. The appetite for new homes seems insatiable (we cannot complain as ours was new last year!)

To the south is the extensive sports facilities for the University of Central Lancashire. This organisation began life in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge. Later it changed to the Harris College, then a poly until it was given university status in 1992.

We set off around 10 and gradually made our way out of the Preston suburbs - all relatively new housing, industry left well behind us. Before long we passed under another part of the Preston Western Distributor Road - we came under another of its bridges when on Savick Brook on Sunday. this road will link Preston and the Fylde with the M55 motorway to the north as well as a new East-West link road. As well as easing existing congestion, this project is aimed at encouraging men to the north of Preston and to boost the local economy.

We did not manage the best view of the Westinghouse Nuclear Fuels site but only this glimpse from a gap in the hedge. It began as a munitions factory but in 1946 changed to the manufacture of nuclear fuels for the emerging new Magnox power stations. That work is now gradually coming to an end the site is being converted to a Clean Energy Technology Park. Back in time when the nuclear work caused unease, signs were erected along the canal to give boaters due warning. Alas, the text was so dense and small that almost nothing can be read whilst navigating along! We only saw two remaining signs and one of those was almost completely obscure by vegetation.

We passed a large winding hole, wondering why a boat had chosen to moor on the far bank. Christine then heard the chap on board shouting for assistance. He had lost reverse gear and had become wedged there, unable to free himself with just forward motion. Would we tow him out? We backed up, attached his stern line to our t-stud and gradually eased him back sufficiently for him to make progress under his own power.

As we passed a permanent mooring site we lost power ourselves but could still make some progress. Not wanting to risk coming into the bank as it looked too shallow, we limped along to the next bridge where a trip down the weed hatch produced yet another lump of clothing material.

All the way so far we battled against the extensive duck weed. Although we cleared a path, it soon re-formed as a blanket behind us.

We called at Moons Boatyard to fill up with diesel. We still had three quarters but as this is the only known source on the Lancaster we felt it better to keep topped up. They are very friendly here - best to keep on their good side as we may well need to call again before making the return trip across the Ribble. Almost as soon as we came under their bridge the duck weed all but cleared and we then made rather better progress.

This swing bridge is usually marked on boating maps as Normally Left Open. In fact it looks as if some considerable effort would be needed to shut it! Nevertheless, the relentless installation of new blue signs meant that CaRT have put up a complete set of instructions should anyone be mad enough to try and operate it!

Bilsborrow is a popular stopping place. perhaps because it has the only designated visitor moorings for some distance in either direction, perhaps because of the pub and the craft centre! We manage to find a free space - but then found that we would have to settle for a gap between boat and bank. We even deployed the gangplank/ladder.

9.7 Miles - 0 Locks