Garstang Canal

 SLOW MOLLUSCS

Slugs & Snails.  Anthony, Mike, Danny, John.

Well, we've seen this "person" before. "Ginny Greenteeth". Duckweed covering the canal brought on by the hot sunshine making the water warm for the plants and the slow pace of the water allowing it to grow so rapidly. 

Only a short blog this week but then it was only short walk. 

We were amazed by the speed of the slugs and snails which passed us by as we walked

We parked in "Pasture Drive" just off "Dimples Lane" Near the Garstang "Leonard Cheshire home. Barely a hundred yards from a very "humped"canal bridge.

We crossed OVER the Bridge and dropped down to the canal and followed it UNDER  the bridge.

Although the sun was shining the day was so far comfortably bearable.

Although the canal was by no means busy we were soon passed by the first narrow boat of the day. 

Although the word"Pace" was by no means redundant it did not trouble the vocal chords very much as ambled slowly along the Towpath stopping frequently to watch the wild life and to chat and laugh.

There were numerous Dragon flies of many hues. Mostly GINGER/BROWN. I Cant recall a single Damsel fly.

By now the strength of the sun was beginning to warn us of the future heat. A handy pinic bench invited us to stop awhile and take some water aboard. A readily accepted  invitation.

There was a smallbronze statue on the far bank . No idea what it was or why it was there.

If you look carefully you will see a Moorhen/Waterhen leading her fluffy black chicks through the weeds and reeds at the side of the canal

The chicks are hard to spot. Look for little balls of black fluff.

We eventually arrived at the bridge high over the River Wyre. It was built over 200 years ago and still looks good. Designed by the famous John Rennie and standing  34 feet above the river below.

 

Peering over the bridge we could cleary see lots of trout lazily keeping a steady position in the brown, peat stained water.

Here the River Wyre flows gently through the tree bedecked fields and farms . Debouching into Morecambe bay between Fleetwood and Knott End

This gentleman was neatly packing his belongings into his longboat before having it lifted out of the canal and taken to the Leeds-Liverpool canal on the other side of the Ribble. 

He told us he had spent the last eleven months exploring the Lancaster Canal and it's surrounds.

Soon after we arrived at the Olde Tythe Barn area (What NO photos !) where we climbed up from the canal to enter Garstang.

A few minutes walk took us to Booths and our lunch destination. A group of "Chuggers" were rattling buckets as one of their number sang DOLLY PARTON  songs.

"Chuggers" (Charity Muggers)  = a light hearted nickname for charity workes with buckets wanting donations.

Lunchtime in the large Booths cafe.

Then back to the car and home.

The paucity of photos in this blog I shall blame on the strength and will sapping nature of the days tropical nature.

See you soon.

In cooler times we hope

THE END

JW