Friday morning saw the start of the new season for the Packet Boat water bus on the Lancaster Canal. It was a wet and cold morning on the water but the welcome on board the canal boat was extremely warm! With an endless supply of food and hot tea we sat back and enjoyed the view.
We crusied from Lancaster city centre (opposite the Water Witch pub) to the famous Lune Aqueduct (one of the Wonders of the Waterways no less) at a delightfully slow pace. Canal travel really does give you a different perspective on the landscape as well as being extremely relaxing. The views of the Lancaster skyline were lovely despite the rain and when the weather warms up, the opportunities for wildlife spotting will be excellent. The rain did not however deter a group of canoeists who were also making the most of canal on a wet Friday morning - rather them than me! I ventured out of the boat briefly as we paused on the aqueduct to view the river Lune below and the surrounding views but the rain bid me hasty retreat back into the boat.
One of the guests on the canal cruise was a gentleman who had owned a canal boat for the past twenty years and had been moored on the Lancaster Canal for the past few years. His stories of life on the water (he had travelled throughout the UK) were very entertaining and painted a very appealing picture. My own experience only extends to two weeks on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal about 10 years ago but as I remember it was a great holiday (despite the locks) and I'd love the opportunity to holiday on the canals again.
FYI - The water bus will be running from Lancaster up to Tewitfield (check out their timetable for daily times and cruises throughout the summer) and they will be doing a number of special crusies - including a very tasty 'Fish, chips and quiz' cruise!
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