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.

My right knee as been playing up for a while now. It is an ongoing problem which I am told can only be put right by surgery which at this point in my walking life I am not interested in. It is usually kept in some form of control by taking a couple of strong painkillers before we set off and now that our walks are so much shorter that mostly works. However at times it plays up a bit more and a few days off and no climbing usually helps. With the weatherman predicting a wet and windy weekend it should get a rest for a day or three after today so this morning  we decided on this walk along the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

We left the car at Tewitfield near the Longlands Hotel a short distance short of J35 Carnforth on the M6

Before going to the Northern Reaches I walked south a little distance to get this shot of where the navigable Lancaster Canal ends.

Our route now goes under the A6070 as it passes over the M6....

.....and onto the Northern Reaches of the canal. The first section of our walk will pass the 8 old locks which raised the canal by around 75' along this length. Apart from those on the Glasson Branch these were the only locks along the length of the canal. The lock gates have been removed and replaced with weirs.

It wasn't too long before we had a welcoming committee.

A glorious morning to be out. There is a bit of a breeze but at the moment it is behind us.

The lock chambers seen left seem to be in very good condition. At the far end the weir which as replaced the gates can be seen.

Ahead of us Saltermire Bridge which carries a minor road over the canal can be seen. This is where we will leave the canal.

A set of the old lock gates.

This is where we leave the towpath for a while. The path ahead under Saltermire Bridge only goes a short way before the canal is culverted to pass under the M6.

Crossing the M6 with the "Welcome to Cumbria" sign.

Rejoining the canal at the other side and that signs a lot closer.

More inquisitive locals come to see us.

Looking over to Cinderbarrow with a distant Arnside Knott.

Beetham Fell to the right.

One of the mileposts along the canal side with Farleton Fell ahead (l)

Farleton Fell

Hutton Roof Crags in the distance as we approach Burton Wharf.

A wide view including Arnside Knott (l) and Beetham Fell (c)

Burton Wharf.....I believe the cottage is now a holiday let.

Farleton Fell peeps over a section of still water.

Approaching Bank House

Looking down on Holme Mills

We carried on to just past the bridge ahead before deciding to turn around. After a sit down and a cuppa on the seat ahead we made our way back.

Back at Saltermire Bridge

The breeze had been freshening on the way back and there was some cloud starting to come in from the south-west.

Lots of these (bat boxes I think) in the trees adjacent to the M6

And Finally....Almost back to Tewitfield.

Next Walk:      8th February 2011 - Lake District - A Rydal Circuit

Last Walk:       1st February 2011 - Arnside & Silverdale - Arnside Knott from Silverdale

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