Boatdate: 09072020
Location: Burscough to Melling

There's a slew of swing bridges to negotiate on the way to Liverpool. Some are manual but ones that have any significant traffic crossing the canal are electric. Most were fine except for Bells Lane swing bridge which opened fine but on closing the wedges would not engage so the barriers stayed down stopping the passage of traffic. Cars backed up on either side and after trying to shift the bridge with muscle power (hopeless) we were left apologising to the cars having to make U turns to find a different route while ringing the CRT to get a crew out to sort the problem. Half an hour later they arrived and had to reset the electric panel controlling the bridge. Thankfully that sorted the problem although I expect it is going to happen again as the folk living nearby said there had been a few recurring issues with the bridge.

On our way again we soon pass Maghull where my aunty Muriel lived on Brendale Avenue and I consider taking the bike off here to have a quick look for old times sake but as it's getting late on decide to do that on the way back instead. Under the M58 and we are out in open country again and it's time to stop for the night. We pass Melling Stone bridge on Brewery Lane and find a mooring spot on the towpath side relatively clear of the abundant weed hereabouts.