{"id":3178,"date":"2022-06-10T12:34:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T11:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stonekicking.co.uk\/?p=3178"},"modified":"2023-04-02T15:43:42","modified_gmt":"2023-04-02T14:43:42","slug":"day-35-garstang-to-ashton-on-ribble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stonekicking.co.uk\/?p=3178","title":{"rendered":"Day 35. Garstang to Ashton-on-Ribble"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lancaster Canal Day 3.<\/strong>
Distance today: 21.3 miles<\/strong>.
Total distance: 677.2 miles<\/strong>.
Accommodation: hotel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pleasant but generally unnoteworthy walk along the canal continues. At one point I passed by the Smithy Leisure Park<\/a> and saw that at the deluxe end of the static caravan market you were offered your very own mooring. Would you need a narrowboat and <\/em>a static caravan? Further on, I took a minor detour to visit the Barton Grange Garden Centre<\/a>. According to their sign (and the Garden Centre Association), they are the Destination Garden Centre of the Year<\/em>. As tempting as it is to be sarcastic about the whole thing, I was actually just sad that for some people, a visit to a garden centre probably did <\/em>represent a highlight. Surely there has to be more to life than that. The place was huge but as the restaurant was disappointingly expensive, I settled for a cup of tea. I was there to break up the day more than anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn’t quite make it to the end of the canal at Preston because the accommodation I had chosen was in nearby Ashton-on-Ribble. Claremont Hotel<\/a> was nothing particularly special but it was convenient and cheap enough. After doing a bit of laundry and lazing around for a while I headed out to find something to eat. The Lane Ends<\/a> pub was at the end of the road and even though it was only 7pm, the locals were already at full tilt. It was all a bit loud and lairy. Added to this there was a 20 minute wait for food so I ended up just staying for one beer before heading off. Not far down the next street I came across the Mango Tree<\/a> Indian takeaway and decided a curry was as good idea as any. I just ordered a simple curry and rice dish with some onion bhajis but when I was handed the carrier bag with all the food in it, I couldn’t believe how heavy it was. I was always worrying about re-fueling and I think I was about to re-fill my tank. Back at the hotel, I was heading to my room when the woman on duty kindly offered me a plate and some cutlery which I thought was a nice gesture. The curry was very tasty but although I hate waste, I have to confess to not being able to eat it all. I did my best but alas, it was one super-size bhaji too many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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