Shopping and Walking

This morning we drove into Burscough to replenish our food stores - not that we need a large amount.

We started by parking alongside the canal at Burscough Bridge. At the entrance was a splendid - and rather large - decorative name stone.

Booths Supermarket is a small chain of just under 30 stores in the North West and aims perhaps at the 'Waitrose' part of the market. It is part of a small retail park opened a year or so ago on what was once HMS Ringtail, a wartime RNAS station but which was finally closed in the late 1950's.

We then also drove back to Tesco for a few further items specifically from there and thence back to the boat.

After lunch we went for a walk from the marina. It was a splendid almost cloudless afternoon with a gentle breeze that kept us from getting too hot.

We began along one side of the River Douglas, beginning at the top end of its tidal reach. The drainage improvements o his area were largely undertaken in the 19th century during which navigation down the river from the river lock at Gathurst was still possible. High banks protect the surrounding agricultural land which are crisscrossed by many other drainage ditches and pumping stations.

After a short distance the footpath veered off to the west and took us on a track through large arable fields. In the distance we had a splendid view of Winter Hill and Rivington Pike.

The track brought us back to the river at Great Hanging Bridge where we were able to cross over to the opposite bank so that we could eventually connect with the canal towpath.

By now the tide was flowing in a some rate - of course it cannot be seen on a still photo but the effect on the water edge vegetation of the twice daily inflow can be seen.

We turned away from the river at Red Bridge. Yes, we know it is green, but that is the name on the map!

We could not see any indication of the structure in place before the Bailey Bridge but a photo can be seen here. Its surface is very noisy when anything crosses over - we could even here a bicycle from some distance away!

A short road length brought us to the canal at Sollom. When the canal was initially constructed it joined the river at this point and a lock was needed to maintain the water level. Although the lock chamber can still be seen, it has long ceased to have this function since it was replaced by the present river lock at Tarleton. Although the net section is the original line of the river, it is now canalised.

We continued along the towpath. About half way we found some seats where we had a break for a dink and time to read.

Eventually we completed the round trip, passing Rufford Old Hall just before leaving the towpath at the road that passes the marina. We could only catch a glimpse of the back of the hall through the trees.