Maghull

Although it had been raining at five o'clock, by the time we set off it was fine and reasonably pleasant. sadly it did not last long and by mid-morning rain arrived and was quite heavy at times until later afternoon.

Just after setting off we saw both a bird box and a round house in a field opposite.

Not sure if this craft has its Boat safety Certificate!

The bridge across the junction at Burscough is a splendid stone structure - as are most of the original bridges in this area. We called here for water and elsan - alas the latter has been closed since the last guide book was compiled but we did have a chance to look around the top lock area whilst wait for the tank to fill. Most of the cottages seem to date back to the building of the canal.

Rufford Locks

Alongside the top lock is what appears to have once been a dry dock, capable of taking two wide beam barges. We expect to return here again on our next trip when we will turn up the Rufford Branch towards Tarleton and the Ribble Link.

Burscough Wharf

We also stopped at Burscough Wharf at little further on. Whilst Mike used the sani station - and then succumbed to some purchases from the sweet shop in the courtyard - Christine popped to the nearby shops.

There are quite a few swing bridges before Liverpool but at least we did not have to operate this one!

The fields around here seemed to be specialising in growing leeks - although later we spotted a wide assortment of vegetable growing, not all of which we could readily recognise.

The field opposite where we stopped for lunch sported three very realistic bird scarers. A still photo does not do justice to the quivering appearance in the wind.

This cutting is about the only one in an otherwise flat landscape. It is said that the cutting of this canal began here and the the stone was used in the construction of many of the local bridges.

As we approached the first of five swing bridges around Lydiate and Maghul another boat, which we passed as they ate their lunch, caught us up and we operated the bridges alternately. Each bridge is different and, as it happened, the two that are not motorised were the turn of the other crew! Not that we planned it that way, of course.

Nearing our planned overnight mooring some sunshine at last broke through. At least it was dry for Mike to walk to the nearby station to buy his train ticket for tomorrow - car shuffle day. Christine later popped to a spar shop for some rolls. Although we are adjacent to a town and close to the outskirts of the Liverpool conurbation, it seems to be quiet and remarkably pleasant. No doubt the escorted run into Liverpool will reveal others sides to the story!

14.1 miles - 0 locks