Visit to Burscough Wharf and the Ship Inn

Today did not start with a lot of promise it was still fairly blustery and not particularly warm when I took the dogs back down to German's and Chicken lock.  Richard Carpenter was single handing back to Fettlers from Liverpool having passed us just before I set out and I caught up with him being helped through Chicken lock by one of the BW gang working there.  He had enjoyed his trip to Liverpool and recommended the experience.

At about 11:00am we decided to move on and climbed the remaining four locks up to the junction.  I steered and Bridie locked.  It wasn't exactly her day as having prepared the washing machine she forgot to switch it on (we need to run that while the engine is running) then at lock 3 she managed to fumble with the anti vandal lock on the top paddle and dropped her key in the canal.  It was still not perfect weather but improving, dry and certainly better than Sunday.  Having negotiated the top lock and swing bridge we stopped to top the water tank before swinging through the bridge and pointing west towards Liverpool.   Not that we travelled very far.  The permanent moorings were somewhat empty and we moored on rings before the railway bridge and old mill ready for a spot of lunch.  While Bridie prepared it I took Mac a quick walk back to lock3 with my sea searcher magnet and retrieved the key plus two others (rather rusty but useable).

As we were sitting about two feet out from the towpath, owing to the camber of the stone work here, we christened our new ladder cum gang plank and managed to get Mac to use it straight away.   Sally has decided it is not safe enough for her weight and chooses to be carried!

Took a walk into Burscough for milk and to see what has become of the old BW wharf.  Very impressed, the boat facilities are much improved, there is a small chandlery and a number of gift shops, cafe, restaurant and ice cream parlour all opened last month and almost complete.  We sat in the courtyard and sampled a rather refreshing pot of (boxtree blend?) tea.

Back to Prairie Oyster and decided to visit the Ship Inn near top lock.  Have only ever stopped once for a pint here two or three years ago, so not sure what to expect.  Very pleasant, recently refurbished, very good food and  I enjoyed a couple of pints of Pendle Witches Brew while Bridie enjoyed the Merlot!   While we were sat inside enjoying our meal we watch rather ominous black clouds passing and saw a rather fine rainbow but managed to arrive back at Prairie Oyster in the dry and can report that no rain has fallen on us today!