Twenty six members of our u3a recently enjoyed a lunchtime cruise on the Lancaster Canal curtsey of Kingfisher Cruises.
We commenced opposite the Water Witch pub, sailing as far as the Aqueduct over the River Lune. A delicious lunch of freshly cooked fish and chips was served shortly after we departed, and we also enjoyed beverages from the bar. The leisurely trip enabled us to view parts of Lancaster from a different perspective, seeing recently built apartments and the White Cross pub as well as the magnificent cathedral.
Once past the city centre we cruised through the suburban outskirts into the countryside. The extensive trees and shrubs either side gave a serene perspective to the trip. We disembarked at the Aqueduct whilst the crew turned the barge around for the return journey. The views from the Aqueduct were truly spectacular, and we learned interesting facts. The Aqueduct is a masterpiece of Civil Engineering, 202 m long carrying the Lancaster Canal 16 m above the River Lune. Construction commenced in 1794 and it was opened in 1797 at a cost of just over £48,000. It is a holder of coveted Transport Trust Red Wheel Plaque. The waterway is part of the Preston to Kendal canal, which has no locks, making it particularly suitable for canoeists.
The return journey was made more enjoyable by a challenging quiz to get our thinking caps on. The weather was kind to us considering the disappointing Summer so far, and we were able to stretch our legs by viewing outside from both ends of the barge. A big thankyou to Ann for organising such an enjoyable and interesting trip.