Parbold to Tarleton

Ring O Bells Moorings

After approximately one hours cruising from Parbold, we moored up just beyond the Ring O Bells  public house, Bridge 34 and stayed Saturday evening.
On Sunday we went on the Rufford Branch.  Although in the guides, it states there is a sanitary station and toilets just before Lock 1,  these are now closed and new ones have been built at Burscough.  We came down the Rufford Branch locks with Nb Andante, Anne and Brian and had a lovely cruise through.  The weather was kind to us with the sun shining most of the day.



We moored up for the evening after Marsh Meadow Swing Bridge.  (approximately 2.5 hours from lock 1).

Rufford

  Just a short walk further on, at Rufford lock there are two marinas, one on either side.  Popped in St Marys café for an ice cream and a look around the marina. 

Along this stretch,  there are lots of bulrushes and wild flowers, a very pleasant canal.

Today, Monday we cruised through a meandering stretch with no tow path to Tarleton where we moored  on the visitors moorings along with the other five boats for the crossing on the Ribble Link tomorrow morning.


Tarleton has everything you need, a Spa, Co-op, butchers and greengrocers, pubs and an Italian restaurant.

top stretch of the Rufford Branch 

After speaking with our fellow boaters, we are all in anticipation of the crossing and awaiting our instructions from CRT in the morning.