The Other Side of the Bridge

 Rufford Arm

Today was scheduled as a shopping day so that we did not have to bring too much fresh food in the car. After a rather laid back start to the day it was well into the mid to late morning when we set off into Burscough.

Before hitting the supermarket we had three shops to visit. Firstly, we called at the village computer shop to see if we could pick up a bluetooth mouse - Mike having left both his and a spare on his desk back home! Alas, none in stock but they can order one that should arrive whilst we are still nearby. It will, however, mean a bus ride.

Then to the hardware shop for a replacement Carbon Monoxide alarm. Whilst we were at home we had a message from the marina that neighbours had reported an alarm inside our boat. We were able to give the staff instructions on getting in and they soon identified the problem as the CO monitor. When we arrived yesterday we replaced the batteries but that was not the issue as it was still dead. Downloading the manual from the internet we learned that the same sound can also indicate an 'end of life' condition. These device usually do have a 5 - 7 year life. Of course we could not get the same model (in fact the shop only had one!) so new holes will have to be made to fix it in place.

After a quick visit to the pharmacy, we embarked on a large shop at Tesco. So large that we had to buy a new shopping bag to add the collection we already have on board!

Back at the boat it took some time to find enough cubby holes to stow everything away and by then it was lunch time.

After lunch - we a short wait whilst two other boats were served - we moved around to the diesel point to fill up. We were not especially down but when we were here last we could not completely fill has we drained the marina tanks! (They were awaiting a delivery and at that time we were in the middle of the price panic and deliveries to everyone were erratic) Our turn came and we then bade farewell to the marina staff - they have been especially helpful and friendly.

Once out of the marina we turned right, went under the next bridge and found a space on the moorings just beyond. Altogether, perhaps a third of a mile including the turn around the marina! We need to be here as tomorrow is car shuffle day.

Mike volunteered to go back in to Burscough to look for scissors - they broke when opening the CO monitor and surprising how quickly you miss them! This was a BAD MOVE as just before the 30 mph speed sign he came to a stop behind a long queue of traffic. Eventually he arrived at the turn into Tesco but never found the source of the delay as the queue continued over the canal bridge and out of sight into the distance.

Later afternoon, Hotel Boat Lady Teal moored just in front of us.