We took a short hop down the canal to Lancaster today. We had another holdup with a moored boat coming loose at the stern and floating across the canal, which proved rather difficult to pull in but with help from a walker and another passing boat, we got it sorted eventually.

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We reached Lancaster at 10:30; wary of a potential shortage of moorings after last time we’d aimed to get there nice and early, but not too early that nobody had got up and left yet! We need not have worried, there was only one yoghurt pot there with miles of moorings still free. As I write this, there’s still nobody moored between us and the pub a couple of hundred metres away.

First stop was the dentists, who had looked after Sarah so well a few days back. Sarah gave them a box of chocolates and some homemade ginger cake, along with a card. They phoned up later and said they’d be refunding our credit card – not sure if it was related or not, perhaps it’s just karma.

We then headed up to the castle to book the next tour. We had a half-hour wait so visited the priory next door to fill the time. The old choir stalls were amazing. Not so sure about the buy 5 get 1 free candle offer though, it somehow feels wrong in a church!

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In the castle, no photography is allowed inside so we could only use this photo from outside. We got the same tour guide as last time – luckily he was very engaging so I didn’t mind hearing him again.

Hungry after escaping the castle prisons (only closed in 2011, and still using poo buckets in the cells up until 1989!), we headed for Atkinsons, a coffee house founded in 1837 and the oldest in Lancaster. We both had toasted ciabattas for lunch, with coffee for me and tea for Sarah. After lunch, we went next door and I bought some ground coffee to take back to Oliver.

Just down from the castle are the Judges’ Lodgings, or Judges’ Houses as I liked to call it, X-Factor style. It’s probably the oldest house in Lancaster, and in later years (1826-1975) visiting judges would stay here when visiting the courts.

On the top floor was a museum of childhood. Sarah thinks her parents still have one of the Fisher Price plastic record players at home.

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The Lancaster Cottage Museum was last but not least – though it was the smallest! It’s part of a 1739 house that was split into two in 1820 and has been refurnished to that era. It gave a real feel of how cramped living conditions would have been – and only cost £1 to get in!

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We’re back on Oliver for dinner and blog updates, and tomorrow we’re hoping to visit the maritime museum and the Ashton memorial.