Tarleton

 

We pulled pins from Litherland at 07.45 for our redezvous with the Canal and River Trust who would work us through swing bridges number 6 and number 9 . This is number 9 and there were a few frustrated car drivers having to wait for us to go through as it’s a very busy road. We now have a couple of days to get to Tarleton and then our booking to cross the Ribble link which will take us up to The Lancaster Canal.

We passed this on the way and I have not got a clue what it’s about . I did wonder at first what he was holding and doing with it .

If ever you are up this way and need diesel or gas I can recommend Scarisbrick marina . They were extremely helpful and very friendly and the diesel was only 68 ppl . (self declaration)

Arriving at Burscough for the night we met up with fellow boater Wyndham and enjoyed a drink on the towpath, just like you do .

The following morning and we pulled pins at 07.25 and made our way to the Rufford branch of The Leeds and Liverpool Canal . We have 7 locks to do and this will take us all the way up to Tarleton. As you can see the ground paddles on these locks are on the edge and you have to lean out over the lock to operate them . Not only that but they were very heavy and Carolyn didn’t like standing on the edge and also didn’t have the strength to wind the paddles. Its not often that she admits defeat, So it was me to the rescue this time !

Just our luck to meet a widebeam Hotel boat on a very shallow part of the canal. We ended up going hard aground and had a few problems getting off.

This is the moorings at Tarleton and we are the first of 4 boats that are going on the Ribble link in the morning.

We had a walk up to the very pleasant village which is only a couple of hundred yards from the moorings . I can highly recommend this butcher and we will no doubt stock up from him again when we come back this way.

This is the lock that will drop us down onto The tidal River Douglas and then out to The tidal River Ribble and then in to Savick Brook and up a set of locks and on to The Lancaster Canal.

This is one thing that I have always wanted to do and have looked forward to it for so many years . There are so many stories about the link and it is something I just have to experience . On the other hand Carolyn is not at all happy as you can see and has dreaded doing it ever since I booked it last year. I don’t think she has anything to worry about and I’m sure once she has done it she will be fine. Now roll on 08.30 tomorrow morning

 

                                                                                                            Happy Days