On my last post I pondered what I would photograph on the next section of my Lancaster Canal walk. Well, I took 49 photos - sorry Bowland climber, but no ducks, or perhaps you've had enough of them.
I have rationed my self to 16 pics here.
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| A figure of 8 route crossing over at Sedgwick Skew Bridge |
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Within a few yards of starting, the now empty canal goes through this tunnel, but not me! There is no towpath. Canal boats were propelled by men lying on their backs and walking the boat through with their feet against the tunnel walls or roof.
It was built - 1816/17, length - 378 yds., water level 78ft below hill summit above. Used 4 million bricks.
My route went to left through a couple of subsidiary tunnels. |
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| For BC - a few gulls in place of ducks |
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| The path which circumvents the tunnel coming down other side of hill |
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| We are now at the other end of the tunnel |
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| I stood precariously here and held the camera at arms length taking the shot blind determined to get "the light at the end of the tunnel" |
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| Canal has been filled in - this bridge in the middle of the pasture has no longer a raison d'être... |
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| ...and another one |
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| I returned south from Natland via the River Kent. Here it runs through a wooded gorge. This was the fastest flowing, wild water I can recall seeing anywhere including the Alps. The photos, unfortunately do not do justice. This walk was worthwhile for this spectacular scene alone. Please click to enlarge |
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| The sign amused me because of its very correct punctuation: there is a colon after the word "time". |
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| Sedgwick House built in 1868 for the Wakefield family who owned the nearby gunpowder factory (now defunct). Shipment of the gunpowder was the main reason for the Lancaster canal's construction |
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| This is the Sedgwick Skew Bridge (see next pic), carrying the canal over the road. I had walked over this on my outward journey |
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| I copied this (suitably skewed) from an info. panel on the bridge. It sounds like an impressive piece of architectural design (click to enlarge if difficult to read) |
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| The grand finale. This was 18 inches deep (flood water). There was no option, other than climbing over the railway, but to wade through. Fortunately it was only about 400yds from my parked car. |
A remarkable post for such a 'small' excursion.
ReplyDeleteHave to say I love the gulls - but I was always gullible.
Your pictures of the River Kent in full flow remind me of a drowning tragedy there in recent years. Unfortunately I can't find the news reports relating to it.
Think we,in the NW,have got off lightly with floods this weekend
BC - The next stretch is only about two miles into Kendal so that will be the end of this canal exploration north, but I hope to be continuing in the opposite direction on Thursdays when I usually walk with Pete. Our last outing took us just out of Lancaster to SD 477 612, so we will be starting from there on Thursday, weather permitting.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the map I see, surprisingly, that you are 108m above sea level, and I am only at 40 metres so let's keep oour fingers crossed.
What a lot of interesting features crammed into a modest length of walk. It rather appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I'm rather enjoying this whole series. I loved the upside down sheep on your last post too.
Really enjoying being surprised by a feature which is virtually on my doorstep. I have walked some bits of the canal, but you consistently seem to have found features which I missed.
ReplyDeleteAlso - I found that book, I'll be in touch.
Mark
Do these outings come under the heading of walking, speleologising or wet-suiting?
ReplyDeleteMisuse of colon. Depends on when it was done. They had different ideas about the colon back in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hey, but it allows you the opportunity to trundle out Autre temps, autre moœurs. And hey again - get that diphthong, straight out of Character Map.
Darn! Forgot to delete the now redundant o.
ReplyDeleteGayle - I seem to remember you not being enthusiastic about canals (The Grand Union I think) on your SE to NW walk, so hopefully I'm getting a convert?
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back on the blogging circuit again.
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Beating the Bounds - The next episode was half composed last night, so watch this space.
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RR -Regarding your first paragraph, my forthcoming post may enlighten you a little.
Now it is my turn to say that YOU have got the wrong end of the stick. My amusement at the colon was that they had been pedantic enough to use it correctly - the local council must have somebody who can write a proper sentence - a rarity these days.
You may like to know that:
"Autres temps, autres mœurs is currently in the bottom 40% of lookups on Merriam-Webster.com."
On the Mac I type "alt q" for "œ".