On Thursday we made 13 miles, with short waits at the two swing bridges that CRT operate. It was very quiet (perhaps because it was freezing), although Jo met a very stressed lady crew member from a boat at swing bridge 11. The waterside was flooded and the prospect of getting wet feet while she operated the bridge was the last straw. She and Jo worked together and got it done. A heavy canal in nasty weather isn't always much of a holiday. Swing bridge 15 was broken so we had a tea and dog walk delay while CRT came to override it. After that we were out of the conurbation and looking for a mooring. After one failed attempt when the the wind swept Harold's nose across the canal before we could get tied up, we found a sheltered spot by The Ship pub at bridge 22. They did a very nice dinner too.
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| Harold at The Ship. |
On Friday it looked a bit brighter and Robin dared the sun to come out properly by wearing his long trousers (usually he wears shorts May to October). We travelled 9 miles to Parbold, interspersed with swing bridges and a services stop at Burscough. Robin saw a red squirrel and two kingfishers. The countryside is changing in nature again, less green and more yellow as crops begin to be harvested.
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| Ripe wheat and and a brief period of blue sky |
We will stay in Parbold with its low bank for a couple of days to paint the side of the boat which didn't get done on the way up. The rust showing through has been made significantly worse by the salt water in the dock.
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