For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

Another shortish flat walk today as the joints are becoming increasingly stiff and painful. A beautiful day was just too good to miss though so after dropping Edith off at her brothers I drove up the A6 a short way. The car was left at Saltermire Bridge which I then crossed to get onto the Lancaster Canal near Burton Services on the M6.

The Lancaster Canal near where I parked at Saltermire Bridge. The navigable section of the canal ends about a mile behind me at Tewitfield where it is culverted to run alonside the M6. It is culverted again at the other side of the bridge shown where it runs under the motorway.

Crossing the M6 to pick up the canal on the other side.

It was a gorgeous morning and the ground underfoot which would normally have been very muddy was crisp and firm.

Farleton Knott and Holme Park Fell ahead. Note the milestone which indicates it's 14 miles to Kendal where the canal used to end. On the other side it had 13 which was the distance to Lancaster.

A Inter-City express on the west coast main line. Often wondered why it was called the west cost main line, apart from a brief glimpse of Morecambe Bay at Hest Bank it never sees the coast.

Approaching Bank House with Farleton Fell reflected in the still waters.

Looking down on Holme Mills

The boats that ran along the canal carried coal northwards and limestone southwards giving the canal it's nickname of "The Black and White Canal"

It would be wonderful if this section of the canal could one day be brought back to it's former glory but year by year the costs of such a project increase. Take a look HERE for more information about the Restoration project. It will open in a new page.

I am now at the village of Holme and shortly after this decided to turn back. The forecast for the following day was more of the same and I didn't want to push my luck with the knee.

Snowy Lakeland over the village of Holme

Morning ablutions

I walked past the car on my return to get these few shots of the old locks. Info on pictures below

All the lock gates from the 8 locks have long been removed and the top gate on each lock replaced by a concrete weir to maintain the height in the canal.

And finally.....back to the car.

Next Walk:      10th December 2008 -- Local Area -- A walk along the River Lune

Last Walk:       6th December 2008 -- Local Area -- Shore & Canal at Hest Bank

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