Burscough - not a cough but a co!

Monday, 29 June 2009 16:52

Last night we had a few drinks with Dave and Heather from Takey Tezey - usual boater's banter ensued! It was a good evening and as we said goodbye we warned them that they might just see us again next year if not before!

We set off with another boat that had just come up lock 7 - Nb Ada - and it really helps to have two boats in the Rufford Branch Locks, especially if one or both of you have crew! Nb Ada did, albeit inexperienced and being taught about locks!

The railway line follows the canal from Rufford. We did the trip from Rufford to Ormskirk by bus and returned by train back in May and this is the line.

Only DMUs run to a good timetable

Ada and Epiphany approaching Runnel Brow Lock 3

This is the lock we were stuck in for ages on our way down because someone left the paddles open below. Dave and Heather "blame" us for the letter they have had from BW about vandalism as we called BW out to help us!

We reached the top lock

We were going right, Ada left!

Back on the L & L Main Line

Approaching Burscough (not a bad cough and pronounced Bursco!) there is Ainscough Flour Mill

Apparently this had been bought by Persimmon to convert into apartments. It can been seen from miles around and as it has been empty for 10 years or so it will be good to see it smartened up.

Ainscough Flour Mill

The railway bridge by it is an iron bridge

Burscough lines the canal after this

We planned to call in at the waterpoint and sani-station at Burscough Bridge 32A. As we moored I saw the name of the boat against the towpath. It was a Bath Narrowboats boat, fitted out after Epiphany.

Nb Minty

Glyn and Lynn are based on the K & A, so they and their friend on Nb Phantom were well off their home waters! We caught up with BN news and had a good chat whilst waiting for them to fill up. They reversed back to the moorings and we took over the tap!

When we finished we moved back and went to Tesco, just up the road and left at the lights. Thoroughly re-provisioned we moved off to find a more pleasant mooring.

I had fun at Crabtree swing bridge (32) as I went off without a windlass. Returning and retrieving a windlass from John, I then took a while to work out how to do the bridge!

The controls for opening the bridge are on the off side. So as the instructions are a little confusing here we go -

1. Use the BW watermate key to unlock the barriers (they had been left unlocked so that confused me to begin with!) - the key hole is on the barriers, and use your body weight to close each barrier!

2. Use the windlass anticlockwise until some resistance is felt (18 - 20 turns).

3. By the side of the box covering the gear, there is a handle/lever against the side of the bridge. Pull this up to unlock the bridge.

4. Push the bridge open by leaning on the balance arm (as you would open a lock gate) - by this time I had queues of traffic both sides! (Yes!)

5. Let the boat through and do everything in reverse. The barriers are heavy to close so I had to use all my weight! I locked them too!

6. Give a cheery wave to the cars and get back on the waiting (you hope) boat.

I was really hot, sticky and breathless by the time I had finished! Remember not to get too flustered by all the cars - enjoy the power!

Next job - to find a mooring. We did, just before the next swing bridge, outside the Farmers Arms. It is still hot and sticky - 31 degrees outside as I write this. We are gradually melting away!

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