Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY - around Glasson

I LOVE walking along our canal towpaths and also along long disused railway lines. At Glasson I was lucky enough to find both walks close to hand.

The ideal solution can be found by starting early in the morning and enjoying the canal. There are plenty of cafes and pubs in Glasson as well as lots of places to picnic while spending the afternoon along the old railway line.

During the early 19th century Glasson Dock was increasing its trade to such an extent that a bottleneck developed and this was eased by creating an arm of the Lancaster Canal to link it with the dock and the sea. This was completed by 1820.

I walked this arm of the canal and passed the modern marina and then the tiny All Saints Church, which was built in 1840. There is an interesting interior, including stained glass given by the Starkie family who lived at nearby Ashton Hall. The Starkies have a large and influential family, with a main branch at Huntroyd near Padiham.

Near the entrance of the church is the gravestone of Thomas and Marguerite Tiller who founded the Tiller Girls, the famous dancing troupe. Their girls had long legs but my much shorter limbs soon took me back to lunch at the Dalton Arms. Behind the pub and well signed is a smoke house and shop where I bought Lune salmon, local pheasant, bacon and herring, all smoked to perfection.

It was then time to follow the old railway track which once linked Glasson and Lancaster via a viaduct and Conder Green. The viaduct is an ideal place to watch birds and at Conder Green there are toilets and lots of seats and picnic spots.

The single track line was 4 miles long and was opened in 1883. After years of declining trade the locomotives ceased to run in 1969 but it soon became neglected.

At last common sense prevailed and the line was allowed to develop into a linear nature reserve with wonderful views across the Lune estuary. On the day of my visit a bright warm sun was shining and people and their dogs were enjoying themselves in the more than fresh air. The presence of a horse rider added to the atmosphere of my walk.

I passed a house which is still impressive but traces can be seen of its former glory in the shape of the remnants of a once-substantial tennis court.

I walked for an hour but I did not go all the way into Lancaster.

Instead, I retraced my steps. I started to think about home and supper, wondering what fresh smoked salmon would be like. I found out -- excellent.

The Stork Inn at Conder Green has on offer a very substantial menu and this will give me a good excuse to enjoy another walk literally on the straight and narrow.