A Burscough Breach, Bothersome Bridges and Bountiful Blackberries

 Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd August 2023 from Scarisbrick to Melling

As anticipated, we arrived back at Scarisbrick by trains (four in all!) and taxi on Wednesday afternoon. Sadly, the marina café was closed for the staff summer holidays and there was no-one available at the marina so we couldn't pay what we owed or get a pump out! The only option was to stay overnight and leave on Thursday morning, which was actually very relaxing for us. In the meantime, we were visited by hungry natives.

While we had been away, a major leak had been found in the canal at nearby Burscough so that part of the canal was closed and drained to allow remedial works. We were very lucky that Scarisbrick is just past that section and so we will still be able to go into Liverpool on time. However, anyone else who was planning to go into Liverpool during the three to four weeks (that it will take to fix the leak) will not be able to get through.

On our way back from the Lake District, we stopped off at Burscough in the car and walked down to see the works and the two large coffer dams that had been erected either side of the leak to allow the canal to be drained.

The workers were in the process of digging a large hole and removing a section of the side wall of the canal, all of which will have to be rebuilt before the work is complete. They said that they hoped to be done by 10th August just in time for us to leave Liverpool on 12th (we hope). We do have the option of a different route out of Liverpool but that is via the tidal River Mersey and involves considerable planning.

Thursday morning dawned to a very threatening sky but at least it wasn't raining for a change. The marina staff arrived on time so we were able to pay them and get a pump out.

About 9:30, we set off through the exit back on to the canal heading towards Liverpool.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is notorious for its number of swing bridges. Today we had to deal with no less than six in just nine miles. Luckily most of the six are automated and operated with a key, but a couple of them still had to be swung open and closed by hand. Not M's favourite job to say the least. Give her a lock any time! At least you don't get angry motorists gesticulating at you when you do locks!

At one swing bridge, M fell into conversation with siblings Carol and Andy from New Zealand. Andy was thinking of buying a narrowboat and so was asking all kinds of questions. M invited them to come on board and we took them down to the next swing bridge, which was only a third of a mile away. We wish Andy success in his search and we wish Carol a safe trip back to NZ.

In early afternoon, we arrived at Melling, just short of Aintree Racecourse, where we moored up for the night. Despite the proximity of one of England's largest cities, it is still very rural and quiet here - just fields on either side.  The swing bridge in the background is only used by tractors and the occasional cyclist or walker.

In the bushes on the towpath side, M noticed lots of ripe blackberries and picked a whole bowl full. Now she just needs to remember the recipe for crumble mix!

Today: 9 miles, 0 locks, 4.6 hours and 6 swing bridges.

Trip: 121 mile, 61 locks and 66.7 hours.