Crooklands, Endmoor and Lancaster Canal

 Sunday 28th December 2025

Just a quick four miler before heading north tomorrow to a huge family wedding.

I have just returned from the event. There were 250+ guests, six bridesmaids, six groomsmen and best-man. A pre-wedding gathering for the two families the night before, then a church wedding, reception and evening do all to a lavish standard - quite a thrash.

Back to the walk. A pleasant trip up a non-navigable part of the Lancaster Canal from Crooklands followed by old lanes and then a steep climb on a footpath to a commanding view down to Endmoor and descent then to follow the beck back to Crooklands.

Lancaster Canal from Crooklands

Odd goings on here and the photo below. I think the local landowner must have a sense of tumour

Click to enlarge.
 There were similar notices on other gates further on

Distant view to Whitbarrow limestone escarpment, a favourite venue of mine over the years

Commonmire

On the market for £715,000. If you Google you will see why

On the other side of the road

On the steep climb to the hill above Endmoor. Looking down to the well hidden static caravan site at Stubb Farm - well evident from here but not so from lower locations

Now looking down to Endmoor. My lunch spot at the clock in Endmoor can be seen between the righthand end of the houses and the dark tree, right edge of photo

There was a bench where I had my smack and coffee. A gent from the house behind emrged and came to chat. He was off to try and view otters which have been seen on the canal at Crooklands. Quite susrprising

This and below on the clock - click to enlarge

Clockwise from Crooklands

Later that evening I was watching Robbie Cumming on Canal Boat Journeys (You Tube.) Robbie mentioned two canals he has not yet covered - The Lancaster and the  Llangollen, both of which I have coincidently walked in their entireties - made me feel quite smug.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY

Christmas greetings 2025

 Saturday 27th December 2025

Granddaughter Katie organised a painting competition for us on Boxing Day.

 A Bob Ross video was played on Katie's laptop. An extensive range of oil paints and brushes were supplied. Suitable Bob Ross headgear was donned, and off we went. Unfortunately I was seated to one side and soon lost track of the video and launched off onto my own creation.

Mum and Katie made a good attempt at following the instructions and finished up with passable results but I reckon my effort owed more to Jackson Pollok

Traditional "Bombers" whilst preparing Christmas dinner
(gin and Vermouth)

Katie tucks in

BOXING DAY

It all became more chaotic and good fun as we progressed

Paint everywhere. We had paper table cloth which double up as our palette

Less said

Katie was undoubtedly the winner

Not bad from Mum

Memories of Vietnam

 Wednesday 17th December 2025

Here is my latest model completion:

The US Navy PBR Patrol Boat (Pibber) as used in theVietnam War:  1955 -1975 - wow! I had forgotten that it lasted for twenty years. Looks like Venezuela may be next?

More detail from Wiki is shown below, and for more detailed technical information Wiki has it all if you search,

The background scenery was made from a piece of clear acrylic Perspex with a photo pasted on and backlit with a small LED light running on a 2 x AA battery pack with switch to represent the sun shining low through the jungle. 

Please click photo to enlarge

Dawn Patrol - Vietnam

Patrol Boat, River / PBR or Pibber, is the United States Navy designation for a small rigid-hulled patrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until 1975. They were deployed in a force that grew to 250 boats, the most common craft in the River Patrol Force, Task Force 116, and were used to stop and search river traffic in areas such as the Mekong Delta, the Rung Sat Special Zone, the Saigon River and in I Corps, in the area assigned to Task Force Clearwater, in an attempt to disrupt weapons shipments. In this role, they frequently became involved in firefights with enemy soldiers on boats and on the shore, were used to insert and extract Navy SEAL teams, and were employed by the United States Army's 458th Transportation Company, known as the 458th Sea Tigers.

A long way from stone axes and rubbing two sticks together

 Tuesday 9th December 2025

This is  not political or a protest.

 Just a thought from seeing this photo in The Guardian today:

Construction continues at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, England. Photograph

What could possibly go wrong?

PLEASE CLICK TO ENLARGE