Yes, this was the day of our easiest family friendly ride, just ten flat miles on the well surfaced towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal starting from Botany Bay, near Great Knowley in Chorley; and no, this report isn’t taken from George Birtill’s excellent and very detailed book, Towpath Trek, in which he recounts his journey from Cherry Tree to Tarleton that he completed in the early 1970’s.

Following our usual social cuppa in the shopping centre we started off along the canal towards the M61underpass, formerly there was a large nine arched railway bridge here which carried the Chorley to Blackburn line, none of which can be used officially as a cycling route: the bridge was demolished in 1969.

Passing under the motorway bridge Healey Nab could be seen on the left, this is now a mecca for mountain bikers with its myriad of purpose built tracks.

We toddled along the canal at our usual sedate pace passing a few day hire narrowboats; I suspect even at this early hour the happy and jolly crews were imbibing various alcoholic beverages, perhaps the sun was over the yard-arm.

It did not seem to take long to reach our brunch stop at the Corner House Café in Adlington where we were well looked after as usual.

Ken and Fleur left us in Addlington, and about half way back Geoff left us just after we crossed the River Yarrow, this left just the four of us, Sue, Keith, Jim and me to tootle back to Botany Bay.

The weather: - When I awoke this morning I could hear the pitter-patter of rain-drops on the window, hah I thought, it must be Saturday the day of our weekly easy family friendly ride; at least the day would be brightened in the company of fellow Rascals; and so it was! It stayed dry, was warm and the sun shone occasionally: perfect!

You may view the photographs here on our Flickr account.

See you all soon, Brian.