Rufford and Tarleton

Saturday 12th July 2008


red primered top gates on the Rufford Branch


usual dark sky over Fearn's Swing Bridge 9

This was the morning I discovered that the alternator belt was loose, and that bits of rubber from the belt had coated the shiny yellow alternator and pulley. Set off at 0900 after tightening the belt, resolving to buy a replacement as soon as possible. So it was down the Rufford branch. More new territory. The paddle gear of the top lock, and some more further down, is operated by winding a horizontal fixed crank. This is the same gear as at the Leeds end of the canal, but the first we'd encountered on this trip. And to add even more interest some of the top paddles were activated directly by lifting a long wooden lever. This was completely new to me. Are these "Jack cloughs"?

We got to Rufford at noon and asked Mark at St Mary's Marina about an alternator belt (this is all detailed in an earlier post).


Coming out of the office I spotted Takey Tezey in the marina, so we went down and knocked ... and after explaining who we were, i.e. blogger/boaters, were welcomed aboard by Heather and Dave - thanks guys! We were given the full guided tour treatment, and photographed sitting in their bow. Takey Tezey is a widebeam, and what a difference a few extra feet width makes! It really looked luxurious, and was spotless and one hundred per cent tidy. They thought we'd been passing in our car: I suppose they don't get too many boaters calling in.

For lunch we walked up to the Hesketh Arms. From the "snack" menu we had gammon, egg, chips and peas; and lamb hotpot, pickled onions, red cabbage and roll. The portions were very good size, i.e. large, and the food was very good. A pint of "Pride of Pendle" went down very well too.


Under way again at 1420. Stopped for the services (shower, elsan emptying and water) at Spark Bridge. "Jannock" was moored opposite.


At 1700 we arrived at Tarleton. The boatyard was closed (still looking for alternator belt). I cycled down to Tarleton Lock to see the connection with the River Douglas. One day we'll do this, and the Ribble Link, and get onto the Lancaster Canal.

We decided to return to Rufford for the night, so we left Tarleton at 1720 without really looking round (well, we've left something for a future trip) and moored just before the 24 hour moorings at 1845. Fished, but found nothing but rusty metal and a few nails.