Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Burscough Bridge

The last bridge of a very pleasant and interesting day, 32A, Burscough Bridge. My pedometer read...14,580 steps..... 5.7 miles. A good distance for the day.

For once, there was no public transport back to the start, so we took a taxi, regaling the driver with tales of our exploits. He was impressed!
"It's good to see older folk with some get up and go," he said.

Gotcha!

These little creatures usually fly away before I capture them, but this handsome butterfly, a small tortoiseshell,was happily sunbathing.

Not always so pleasant!

Taken from bridge 31, this pretty row of old cottages was not always so pleasant to live in.
Manure was brought from Liverpool and unloaded here. Then it was taken to the fields behind. The juices then ran into the houses!!   Uugh!!!


Another history lesson

Back in blogging mood once more.Some reminders of the age and history of this canal.
Apparently, this is all that remains of a crane which used to be here! 


I have no idea what this is. It just looks old!
(not much of a history lesson, is it?)


There are several of these old swing bridges which are no longer in use.
Some just used to be the only route across the canal to scattered farmhouses.
I love the warning sign---'Do not operate'. Pretty impossible, I think!
In the background is the former airfield of the Fleet Air Arm, HMS Ringtail.


Last bit of history in this section!
An old world war two blockhouse forms the left end of this building. It blends in very well. This is the Farmer's Arms pub by bridge 31.

Blooming lovely!

This was a Christmas present. The usual bulb in a box with a bag of compost.
With some tender loving care it is now a wonderful amaryllis.
Thank you, Sara.