A bright, sunny day, much warmer than recently. Last evening we decided that we could not find anywhere else especially interesting to access by train from either Burscough station and, after looking at the restrictions on timing it seemed better to do part of the car shuffle today so that we can use the car to explore tomorrow.
Leaving Christine to process several loads of washing, Mike caught a train just after 10 from the nearer Burscough Bridge station that took him to Wigan. Just outside the sgtation is a bus stkp for a trip to Leigh where, at the bus station, he caught a second bus out to Plank Lane. All went according to schedule and the journey was less than 90 minutes. And all for £3.85!
The car was OK and within minutes Mike had set the sat nav for the street alongside the canal where we were moored and 40 minutes later, after a route that was partially on motorways, he was back.
After lunch we reversed back to the service mooring. Whilst Mike attended to the filling and disposals, Christine popped to Tesco for a few items.
In order to move the car further along our route, Christine steered whilst Mike moved the car. Nothing is quite that simple - in this case there are two mechanised swing bridges not far after setting off. So Mike parked up at the first bridge and let Christine through. This road, on the outskirts of the town, was quite busy and waiting cars were reluctant to give way to those in the opposite direction. At one point it was touch and go if there would be a stand off in the middle!
The second bridge was slightly less busy and also a bit faster to rotate so the delay was a little shorter.
With no more swing bridges, Mike set off towards where we planned to park the car overnight but on the way he called at Scarisbrick Marine to see if we could fill up with diesel. Just about time so Mike called Christine and arranged to be picked up under the nearby road bridge - she declined the opportunity to steer straight into the marina.
Six years ago we called here and found the service almost non-existent with a marked unwillingness to do anything for arriving boaters. Both today, as when on the phone a few days ago to arrange a visitor mooring for when Mike is in York at the beginning of July, there has been a transformation. Staff in the tea room were most helpful and obviously proud of the service they offer. It was the owner who worked the diesel dispenser and it seems that since he realised what was happening - probably not too long after we were last here - and he set about taking a closer interest and putting in place an extensive improvement programme. The number of boats moored regularly has now risen from just over 50 to closer to 200.
One we left the marina, our preferred mooring was only a short distance and Mike took the and, as hoped, thee was room to park alongside the canal.
4.6 Miles - 0 Locks
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