This weekend, we had decided to try again to visit the Camping and Caravanning Club temporary holiday site at Great Budworth, near Northwich, Cheshire. Our previous plans had been cancelled, due to Alison being ill. On the day, with the effects of storm Evert making us wonder if the site would be waterlogged and the fact that the M6 motorway southbound was stuffed and at a standstill, we decided to travel in the opposite direction and go north on the M6. Our new destination would be Crooklands (close to J36) to a weekend “Meet” organised by the CCC Lakeland District Association.
On arrival, we were met by the designated Stewards, Tony and Margaret who quickly made us welcome and assisted us in finding an excellent pitch, facing the Lancaster Canal on a level part of the field.
Although the weather was showery, we managed to enjoy a walk along the canal, managing to stay dry. There we encountered a couple of mute swans with a brood of seven well-developed cygnets. Clearly excellent parents.
After our evening meal, we were invited by the Stewards to join them and other members in the pop-up tent for a social gathering where we were again made to feel very welcome with good company and conversation around a very effective fire-pit constructed from an old washing machine drum.
We again travelled along the canal towpath the following morning, this time on our bikes, cycling to the end of the canal to the north, a little beyond the Stainton Aqueduct, which has been rebuilt to a high standard, as a part of the canal restoration. The canal originally went through to Kendal, but due to leakage and a move to road transport, this section of canal was drained and closed in 1955, with the last two miles being filled in.
Unfortunately, the southern end of this section of canal was completely cut-off for traffic by the construction of the M6 motorway. Water running along the canal passes underneath through a culvert, but there is no headroom for boats.
The lack of traffic along this part of the canal has resulted in an abundance of green weed (duck weed?), which covers the surface of the water, resulting in a strange but picturesque scene.
Towards the end of the towpath north, we encountered another swan family, this time with ten cygnets, all apparently doing well, and a heron on the opposite bank which posed gracefully for photography.
After lunch, we opted to walk along the towpath to the south, beyond the M6 where there is a fine view of Farleton Knott, a small fell with a limestone pavement on top. A couple of friends recently visited this area on a photographic outing and had an unfortunate encounter with a bull. No sign of said bull today, however.
Along the towpath, there were many bees and other insects to be seen, mainly on the thistles.
The following morning, before leaving the site, the Lancaster Canal Trust narrow boat “Waterwitch” began providing pleasure trips along this section of canal which happens on Sundays and bank holidays. We gave it a miss, but apparently it is only £3 per person.
Despite changing our plans at the last minute, we have enjoyed a really nice weekend with thanks due to Tony and Margaret, the stewards, who made us feel very welcome, and the fine company of other members staying on the site.
"See-u-Later" 
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