Had a morning walk around Crooke village. The Crooke Hall, the local hostelry was described in a review as '70's underground decor. We decided not to hang around to sample its delights.
We came across a few locks today - for the past couple of days our journey had been on the level. They were bristling with anti-vandal locks which require a separate key to open and serve to indicate that the yoof hereabouts have time on their hands.....
Had lunch at Parbold. Mark and Claire both rang to wish me a happy fathers day. Both asked where we were. Not sure if its any reflection but Claire had never heard of Parbold, wheras Mark could recommend a good pub there!
We also came upon several swing bridges which required swinging (often they are left open if only used for farm access). These generally have pubs alongside to provide their clientele with entertainment watching poor boated struggle with complicated machinery. Just after Burscough we came upon New Lane Swing Bridge. Annie went to do the bridge whilst I held onto the boat but it soon became clear there was a problem so went to help. On this variation (every bridge is different) you must press a button to operate traffic lights to stop the traffic, then swing two gates closed across the road, then press the control button again to swing the bridge hydraulically. Only it wouldn't open... cars were building up, so we had to open everything up and start again. Four times this happened, until inexplicably the bridge decided it had had enough fun and opened for us. As soon as the bridge opened there was a ripple of polite clapping from the entire pub full of people who had come out to watch! Annie drove Ceilidh through fast before it changed its mind.
Parked just before Heaton's Bridge so that Annie could listen to the men's tennis final from Queens.
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| Parbold |
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| Annoying swing bridge (one of many) |
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| One that will never open again! |
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| Reconstruction of an iron-age roundhouse next to the canal |
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| Where can I put my garden shed? I know! On a pontoon in the canal.... |
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| Handy peddle powered raft. Might make one of these with our Scouts |
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| Listening to the tennis |
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| Our mooring at Heaton's Bridge |
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