Outing to Carnforth

Probus members and guests from Cleveleys, Lancashire, blended black-and-white movie nostalgia with an old mode of travel and some bracing fresh air during a recession-busting day trip to the Lake District gateway town of Carnforth.

First, they visited the railway station made famous by David Lean's acclaimed wartime film, Brief Encounter - not missing a chance to pose beneath the iconic station clock.

Then, after browsing round the station's award-winning visitor centre, they had lunch in the Refreshment Room while being entertained by appropriate, 78rpm period pieces from the "Human Jukebox".

After that, the 36-strong party was whisked off to catch a waterbus for an 80-minute scenic cruise on the Lancaster Canal to Hest Bank before rejoining the homeward-bound coach.

That was the recession-busting bit. The company that owns and runs waterbuses on the 42-mile Lancaster Canal reports business up 25 per cent during "staycation" 2009.