Rufford Old Hall

The day began with a big disappointment. We rose early in order to be at Tarleton Boatyard as soon as it opened just after 8. In fact it was about 8:20 before they arrived and alas they declined to do the work on the basis that they were too busy. It might well have been too small a job for them. Back to searching - now somewhat desperately - for a welder. Christine called at St Mary's Marina, on the opposite bank of the canal and they gave her another name. She called him and he agreed to visit later this evening.

Late morning we walked to Rufford Old Hall, about half a mile from the marina. This is now a National Trust property and is an example of a Tudor home, once the family seat of the Heskeths. They originated from Hesketh Bank, about five miles away, but in the 16th century decided that they wanted to move upmarket and have their new home here.

At the entrance is a plot that was sown with a wild flower mix, intended to flower from mid July.

Not being able to afford the land (only to build the house) the then Lord opted to find a rich heiress - and succeeded. A couple of later generations did the same and gradually built up the family fortunes.

Photos can only be taken internally in the Great Hall. At the moment the second phase of a major restoration project that is replacing the wattle and daub of the Tudor section, badly replaced with concrete and other dubious materials when the house was rescued from Death Watch beetle in the early 1950s.

There are some amusing topiary in the gardens - as well as this unusual shaped tree trunk.

A new wing was added in the late 17th century

In the 18th century they decided that they could afford something less pokey and built Rufford New Hall a short distance away.  A son needed somewhere to live so the old hall was renovated and substantially extended so that only a fraction of what we see today is actually Tudor.

After completing the internal tour we joined another talk that took us around the gardens and highlighted a number of trees and plants - often picking up on the detail that is easily overlooked. At the end of the tour we arrived at the Squirrel Garden - so called after two topiary items shaped like squirrels. However, they started off as peacocks but the lack of attention during the last war, after the house had been handed over to the National Trust, meant that it was easier to convert the shape!

It was by then time for a very late lunch in the tea room - we had a rather different soup (pea, lettuce and mint) which was interesting and tasty but was accompanied by rather disappointing supposedly crusty bread that had been turned chewy by a spell in a microwave!

Time then to return back to the boat, keeping our fingers crossed that our latest attempt at fixing the hatch door would be successful. After so many frustrations we were reluctant to be too hopeful and were thinking about contingency plans.

Just when we were wondering how long we could leave it until making a follow up call when the mobile rang and Alan the welder was at the gate and only needed to know where to find us. Most remarkably he was able to straighten the top hinge and took the door and lower hinge away to weld, promising to return at nine tomorrow morning! Wow - what a relief! We might even sleep tonight like we have not since last week.