Spark Bridge

Rufford Arm

Before leaving thew visitor moorings we needed to make one further trip into Burscough. We had hoped that the mouse that we ordered would arrive at the shop in time for Mike to pick it up as he returned from the car shuffle. However, at the time he needed to make a decision it had not arrived and by the time an email arrived to say that it was now in, it was too late to catch a bus  before they closed.

So, this morning we caught the 10:12 bus from opposite Hesketh Arms - the earliest service that our bus pass would allow. Even though the route is quite circuitous - at one point returning back almost to where we started - we were alighting at tesco only 12 minutes later.

We took the opportunity to stock up again on bread and milk (and some peppers - more than planned had gone in to the mixture last night) before collecting the mouse. All credit to K C Computers - they are proud to be a shop for the village over quite some years.

We still had nearly 25 minutes before the return bus so we opted for a coffee from a small shop near the bus stop. Christine chose take away mugs with lids in case we had not drunk it all when the bus arrived.  In fact it was ab out 10 minutes late. We did not find out what was the problem and traffic in the opposite direction was also starting to build up - all very similar to what happened two days ago. Felt as if there were some unexpected road works.

We were back at the boat around 90 minutes after setting out - not bad really! After a quite sort out we prepared to leave the mooring. We had already overstayed - it is really only 24 hours - but there was room for all the boats who wanted to moor. The next Ribble crossing is tomorrow so perhaps some will come by . . . 

Managed to include the village church spire in the background of this winding hole close to Old Rufford Hall.

In times past, we would have had two swing bridges today.

But we did have this one. A passing walker was very keen to push it for us - but Mike still had to do the Chinese Puzzle, aka anti vandal lock.

We only went as far as Spark Bridge as we wanted to use the services there - water and elsan especially. There was a boat already on the service landing (only room for one) so we tied up on the opposite bank to have lunch.

And so here is the splendid new mouse in operation - just in case you have never seen one before! Mike is much happier now - he found just a touch pad very frustrating, especially not knowing the equivalents for all the usual short cuts - such as zooming and right clicks. (But the mouse does not help with his erratic tiping!)

Later we pushed across and carried out the usual servicing. We may well top water before leaving here tomorrow as this is advised for the crossing. Then, back across to where we had come from - we knew that this is about the last place to moor before the Visitor Mooring in Tarleton, but this is really an overnight waiting place for the crossing

0.9 Miles - 0 Locks