Saturday 20 July 2013

Getting closer!

Currently in Liverpool’s Salthouse Dock but playing catch-up now on the cruise to get here!
We left our mooring near Crooke on Monday 8th July but no pictures I’m afraid as the battery has just run out on the camera and I’m at the helm today (locks and lift bridges) so couldn’t get my other camera until Appley Lock (3 miles, 1lock and 3 swing bridges later!).
Apologies to Helen and Tony too as it was when I was attempting to take a photo of Tony on nb Holderness that the I realised the camera was useless!
A peaceful setting near Parbold
The village local sits well beside the old windmill at Parbold ...
… and there are some lovely properties around here too - this small cottage and large garden would suit me fine in retirement!
Spencer's Swing Bridge
Some unusual sights as we approach the junction of the Rufford Canal  … an animal keep or a roundhouse for habitation perhaps?





Cooo … different ...







…. musical ….



… good job I put the cameral down to pass this boat-home as there was a young man sitting in bed, reading!
Glovers Swing Bridge
We’d turn right here if we were going ...
… down onto the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool
This Mandarin duck was quite happy with his group of Mallards on the towpath
Passing under this very pretty bridge built in 1848 in Burscough ...
… which leads to an ornately supported wharf building.
Through Crabtree and Great Score swing bridges ...
… we pass a long, long line of moored boats at Shaw Hall (£10 per night or £40 per week) ...
… and huge caravan sites at Scarisbrick
A miner coming up for air? ...
… near bridge 25 and the busy Saracens Head pub.
We moored for a couple of nights near bridge 22 and the Ship pub where we’d arranged for a Tesco delivery to fill the cupboards before 2 forever hungry teenagers arrive and also met the Barcrofts from nb Icarus - thanks for your help!
Leaving our mooring on the Thursday was a bit of a nightmare when we managed to get a blanket around the prop but nothing could deflate us today as we are meeting the family later!
The countryside hereabouts is what you can only describe as ‘flat'
Passing yet another long line of moored boats ...
… and several more swing bridges we reached Melling Stone Bridge where we met up with our daughter Sharon with hubby Joe and grand-daughters Joanne and Alice.
Early start tomorrow we told them when mum and dad had left - we’re off into Liverpool!

1 comment:

  1. All looks lovely. The weather's certainly with you, hope it holds.

    ReplyDelete