Saturday 15th September

Glasson today J  I’d been looking forward to taking Mary H down to the sea for some time.
 

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

John Masefield
 

I felt the second verse is more appropriate for us than the first.

Lock Gear on the Glasson Locks

There are 6 locks on the Glasson Branch all of which are really hard work.  Poor Sue was really struggling – as was I!  The lock gear is very unusual and we didn’t need windlasses at all.  The handles on the bottom gates are extremely difficult to turn – a touch of grease wouldn’t go amiss!  When we spoke to Epiphany I asked about whether we to leave the locks empty or full as there seems to be some controversy about it – we found 3 full and 3 empty but left them all empty.  When we go up we will leave them all full!

Top Lock on the Glasson Branch

Close to Lock 6 is Thurnham Mill. This was at one time fed by canal water - the old mill can be seen next to the towing path. The canal company purchased the mill in 1824 for £1,100 in order to obtain its right to take water from the River Conder and divert it into the canal and thence to the mill wheel, the tail race returning the water to the canal below the lock.  The mill is now known as the Mill at Conder Green as is a newly refurbished pub with rooms.  We had an enjoyable lunch there and then continued on our way down to Glasson.  We weren’t too sure where to moor but on checking Epiphany’s blog from when they were in Glasson we moored more or less where they did I think!  Fiona had said that the signs need to be updated which I guess they do as there is a sign saying Long Term Mooring.  There are also electricity bollards but where on earth you get the cards from I have no idea!

We went for a walk around Glasson which didn’t take us very long as there is very little to see!  However we did make a visit to the Port of Lancaster Smoke House which had been recommended to us by various people.  The fridges are stacked with anything that can be smoked and a few that can’t!  We bought some smoked mackerel (which I don’t think I like), fish cakes and Morecambe Bay shrimps.  We ate the shrimps before dinner but none of us really liked them!  There was too much butter and to be honest, they didn’t taste of anything!

Our evening was spent playing Scrabble after watching the first of the Strictly Come Dancing programmes J