Lancaster Priory and Galgate

Today's Canal - Lancaster

This morning we walked across the city centre to Lancaster Priory for the main morning service. It was their annual festival service and Bishop Phillip North was leading the worship. Of course, throughout there was particular mention of the death of Elizabeth II and her life's achievements.

The church is very large even though it ceased to be a priory a very long time ago in the time of Henry V when he finally abolished so-call Alien Priories. These had been founded as subsidiary to French communities and any money raise was remitted to them. This did not please England!

Lancaster only became a city in 1937 but the priory Church has long fulfilled the role of cathedral for this part of the country. The church - since the closure of its priory - has been a parish church and maintains a strong choral and musical tradition. During the week it host numerous events especially concerts.

The service was very well conducted - it is in the tradition that still uses incense but, fortunately for us, that was all at the far end so we did not succumb to a coughing fit! Bishop Phillip preached an excellent sermon but had to apologise for leaving swiftly at the end of the service as he was needed for one of the Proclamation ceremonies in the area.

Afterwards we looked around the church. We were particularly struck by the window in one of the side chapels and its dominant use of blue glass. It almost felt as if we were looking at a bright blue sky.

There is a West Gallery but it is probably a remnant of a period when there were galleries on all sides in the times when congregations were especially large (at least on high days!)

After leaving we walked to the nearby Judges Lodging House so that you can now see the picture we failed on yesterday and promised instead for today.

We called at the Body Shop again. Christine was not able to use her Birthday Discount yesterday as it was a day too early!

Back at the boat we changed and cast off, only to moor on the opposite bank to use the services. Immediately after leaving we passed under this footbridge. It looks good from a distance but as we found yesterday, close up it appears to be in need of some attention as the paint is badly peeling!

We had also picked up a couple of croissants from Sainsbury on our way back which we had with our very late mid morning coffee. 

From what we have see, in reality and on Street View, much of Lancaster comprises streets of terrace houses built for the workers in the various industries, most of which have long since closed.

As we passed under this later foot bridge, to the left of the picture are more such houses but as soon as we came this side to the right are some much more up market properties.

We continued until we were ready for a very late lunch and where we could find a place to come near enough to the towpath to moor. Actually, it proved much harder to leave than to arrive.

We moored just before Galgate on an designated visitor mooring although we could not obtain a tv signal through a large tree in just the wrong place!  It was also timely as soon after, rain arrived. At this time it was only a light sprinkling but the forecast is for much heavier rain during the evening and night.

4.5 Miles - Locks