the Ulverston canal

Quite a few of the Gadabouts had never even heard of this canal. It was Sheila's idea because Ron, a member and good friend of the canal society, had told her of his daughter's guest house which actually overlooked the River Leven and the lock. So with us only about an hours drive away from Ulverston in Cumbria we all bundled onto the coach to go see for ourselves. After being made very welcome with tea and coffee at Helen's quest house (Ron's daughter) some of us decided to walk along its length.

View from Ron's daughter Helens window. Our Skills coach below having skilfully managed the tight turn of the roundabout

Helen in blue

River Leven which leads out to the Irish Sea

First a bit of information........... The Ulverston Canal is claimed to be the shortest, deepest and widest in the UK. It is entirely straight and on a single level.The canal was completed in 1796, in order to provide the town of Ulverston, one and a half miles from the coast at Morecambe Bay, with a port. At 15 feet (4.6 m) deep and 66 feet (20 m) wide, it was intended to take very large ships. This canal was once the starting-point for steamers to Liverpool, passenger ships to Scotland and London, and cargoes of local slates that made their way to coastal towns around Britain.

Lock into the canal from the River Leven channel

Some of the Gadabouts before starting the walk

The old railway bridge crossing the canal

The terminus at Canal Head and Carol phoning Sheila to see where the coach had got to.

After about a mile's walk we came to where the canal abruptly stopped. We had been informed that the coach would pick us all up at Canal Head (at the end) but not a sign of it was to be seen. Thankfully Carol had the bright idea to phone Shelia who had stayed with the coach and was told it was parked at Booths carpark a 5 minute walk away.

No thats not our coach behind the Gadabouts but a local bus. At this moment we were wondering what to do next.

Having once again been reunited with the Skills coach we made the hour journey back to the hotel in time for dinner at 6pm.

And finally:- Photos of the wild life along the canal