A day out in the car

Sunday 10th July 2022

We went out to Rufford Old Hall (NT) in the car. That seemed a little perverse as it is within walking distance of tomorrow night’s proposed mooring on the Rufford Arm   … but it was more time efficient when we are en-route to a booked ‘crossing’ with chums from Salhouse dock.

 

There was a very knowledge guide in every room so it made for an interesting visit. A lute player was entertaining in the main hall and they had archery on in the garden. If ever Brenda needs defending, Graham has a new string to his bow!

 

It being Southport air show weekend, and us not fancying braving the queues to get in and out, we went and parked on Parbold hill to see if we could catch the displays that we had been able to hear yesterday after we arrived. With a bank of cloud and the angle of the sun we could only pick planes out at the leading edge of the smoke trails they were leaving. When they turned smoke off and banked, we couldn’t see them at all.

 

Then off to Tarleton to check out the visitor moorings there ready for Tuesday. On the way back we visited Spark Bridge sani-station and remembered when Jannock was moored here for a fortnight as post-university/pre-graduation digs for Matt in 2008.

Back at the boat we heard the Red Arrows go over. So we saw evidence of the first ‘team’ and heard the last. That’ll do!

We ate tea and Graham thought to approach the Sacre Bleu crew, moored just in front of us and BBQing on the tow path, to ask if they were going onto the Rufford Arm tomorrow. They were as they had a Ribble Link passage booked for Thursday, the day after ours, and agreed to share the locks with us down the Rufford arm.

They also invited us to join them for a towpath soiree. We had a drink or two with plenty of humourous chat. Bedtime was declared, after agreeing a starting time, when we saw a very large moon appear from behind a tree.

G&B