GLASSON DOCK

 RAILROAD, STEAMBOAT, RIVER & CANAL. 3+ Miles

VOVAGERS :- Anthony, Jim, Mike, Danny, John.

The title of this blog entry is the first line of a song which Danny's sister, Rosemary, and myself used to sing in a folk group in the 60's. I have waited years to be able to use it, truthfully, in the blog . 

RAILROAD.

Here it is. Disused now and serving as a footpath and cycle way (and car park) between Glasson and Lancaster.

try as we might we could not get this parking ticket machine to work. £1 a day was hardly exorbitant but we couldn't even pay that.  Ah well !

STEAMBOAT next...

Probably diesel actually but this ship nosing it's way into Glasson dock was near enough to fit the bill

Glasson dock was our target for today's walk but it was at this point some distance away.  

There it is. Over there in the misty distance.

So we had better set off past the early flowering (?) Gorse bushes.

The tide was high, threatening to wash away some of the wrecks abandoned on the shore..   Why do farmers and seamen simply abandon worn out or broken equipment ?  I must quickly add that probably most of them don't,  if only  to avoid slander laws.😟

A strange colour for garden lights. BLUE ??😕

A fine, handsome pheasant on that wall..... 'cept it's made of tinplate 😲

Just a few yards further and we were passing the popular "Stork at Condor Green"

RIVER follows on....

Here's Danny approaching the bridge over the muddy river Conder which flows on , winding it's way to join the Lune.

I think John is colluding with Jim (taking the photo) to turn this perfectly innocent road sign into a rude one. They did not succeed. 

and finally the CANAL ...

Next Bridge and we take to the canal

But what's going on here ?

Bit of a nuisance on the towpath .

The hedge is being layed to lower it's height and thicken it up.

Once clear of the "Brushwood" our way was again barred. This time by a large bird.

Jim soon sorted it out though. Very gently of course.

Short break for a knee rest and a coffee break.

Then on towards the freshwater basin at Glasson Dock.

But just before we reached it we passed the church next to the canal.

Christchurch .

As we reached the large freshwater basin a young man was fishing for Pike, Traditional quarry during the winter months.

And so on to Glasson .......

....... and a welcoming cafe.

Across the bridge spanning the lock between the freshwater and the Saltwater basin and  there it is "The Quayside Cafe" . Hidden behind Jim. 

( How big is Jim ?)

Another excellent and busy cafe which had opened today for the first time after it's winter break.

The world (the one we walk in at least) is full of friendly, charming people ready to chat and laugh with an odd bunch of old fellas ( does he mean US ?)

Leaving the cafe we set off to follow the disused rail track back to the cars. Being stupid it took me a few seconds looking at this photo to realise couple of cyclist  sitting on the bench are in fact NOT THERE !

Taking a photo in the opposite direction told us what the Wheel was all about.

If I remember correctly many years ago the white fencing was not there and a lady drove her car down this ramp and into the water. Was it accidental or something rather more sad. I couldn't say but it certainly made the papers.

Having seen the Condor River we now spent sometime looking out over the LUNE. The birdlife was fantastic. Hundreds if not thousands of birds were moving on the water, at the muddy edges or in the air. Lapwings, geese, various waders, (quite hard to identify at distance ) curlews, crows and numerous SBBs ( small brown birds) in fact too numerous to name them all. Strangely we didn't see any of the increasingly common Canada Geese.

This boat looked in a state of distress. The ever kind Danny shouted did they need assistance, There was no reply....... the skipper was obviously something of a "Stick in the mud " 😜

It seemed to be a "shipwreck" as Danny, indeed all of us ,  understood perfectly well.

 The old railway track made an excellent footpath and it was not long before we arrived at the cars and were soon on our way home after a short but pleasant walk.

JW

BOLTON LE SANDS

"ON A WING and A PRAYER"  4 miles.

Snail chasers :-  John W, Jim, Mike, Danny & Anthony.

 A quiet side road off the A6 and close to the canal provided ideal parking for our walk.

Boots on, sticks in hand and hats on heads we dropped down the the main road and immediately across it.

We made our way down an unexpectedly hilly suburban road.

A couple of minutes later our progress was halted by the flashing red lights over the level crossing barrier and a minute or two later the train thundered past.

As we arrived at the edge of the suburbs distant views of the Lake District hills came into view over Morecambe Bay.

We passed the strangely named "Bland Cottage". Nothing about this pretty area could be considered "BLAND".

As we passed a field a large flock of starlings took to the air. ("Wings !") There were several other groups up there too and we hoped for a "Murmuration". we only got a whispered.......  Naa !   wrong time of day fellas.

We had now arrived at the levee which marked the tidal area. There were benches. What do we do when we discover benches ?  Sit on them and admire the view of course.

Across the bay we could just make out a few of the buildings in Barrow 

(only just!)

Nearer to hand the marshy pools offered feeding for the curlews and other waders who came in their millions (?)  to feed in the vast tidal bay.

A short tramp along the levee and we arrived at Red Bank Farm within whose buildings nestled the "Archers" cafe.

This proved to be an excellent cafe. Certainly the "Poshest" we have visited. It's popularity evidenced by our having to wait to be seated.

Our plates were generously filled and whilst not cheap the food was reasonably priced.

The staff apologised for putting us in the "Extension" and hoped it was not too cold. It was, as you can see, most certainly NOT.

EXCELLENT.

We even had "Furry" seats to keep us warm.

A few yards beyond the farm was this intriguing sculpture. 

"PRAYING SHELL" it was entitled. Done by Anthony Padgett Born in Burnley

PRAYER

A legend has grown around the sculpture. It was put there to symbolise The opening of the mind (like the opening of cockles in the Bay) and prayers being said for those dying at sea. Just three weeks after it's installation it was on this spot that the bodies of those poor, Chinese cockle pickers, were brought ashore. It is now irrevocably associated with that tragedy. Look closely and you will see that a phrase in Chinese has been added to the dedication plaque.

A cold and lonely spot on that dark night.

In the same field a short uphill detour took us to the Ordnance Survey "Trig point".  Must be one of the lowest in the country. From here there were further extensive views across the Bay.

From here the fields dropped downhill to a car park we have used on previous walks when heading towards Morecambe.

Grange over Sands we thought.

Across the Bay a view of Morecambe and further out to Heysham.

To our left as we walked down to the rough car park was a lonely looking house which had featured in the TV drama "The Bay".

From here we left the shore and followed the country lane back to the A6.

A right turn at the A6 and a few hundred yards brought us to a narrow ginnel which climbed up to the canal.

Immediately before us at the top of the steps we had just climbed was a swing bridge which seemed to greatly interest Jim.

I think that "ubiquitous" is the only word to use when it comes to swans and the canal.

After about a half mile plod we came to the bridge close to which we had parked the cars.

So.... through the kissing gate on the left just before the bridge and with cars hardly more than 50 yards away we were soon speeding our way South down the M6........ and home.   All agreed this was a surprisingly delightful walk.

JW