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A baker’s dozen of Stramblers met for today’s walk at Burscough Wharf outside the Thirsty Duck Bar. Coincidentally, across the canal, a thirsty duck was having a drink from a dog’s bowl. We set off westwards along the towpath under Bridge 32A as canal boat “Cherokee” passed going towards Lathom. A number of colourful canal boats were moored here, with knitted Rosie and Jim dolls sitting atop one of them. Further along, tall reeds blocked the view of the water for a stretch. The Wool Boat was moored on the far side of the canal and a canalside cottage had eggs, tomatoes, honey and damsons for sale. I thought £8.50 for honey was a bit steep! We soon reached Crabtree Lane Bridge and the Slipway Inn and then New Lane Bridge. We walked a mile further, passing a Pirate boat and plum trees overhanging the towpath. We left the canal at Martin Lane and came to “The Farm, Burscough” Shop and Tea Room, where we stopped for tea, coffee and snacks. It began to rain here, but even though we sat outside, we were under a canopy and when we were ready to move on, the sun came out. Perfect timing! We carried on down Martin Lane before forking off along an unmarked lane through fields of corn. Five hundred yards along the lane we came to the Southport to Manchester railway line and an unmanned crossing. Safely across the tracks, we passed through a number of open fields and then a path with trees and bushes either side. Some of the bushes had large blue berries which may have been damsons. Definitely bigger than blueberries – if you see what I mean. We left the fields and took Tarlscough Lane for a few hundred yards before turning through some farm buildings on to a path through more fields. One of the open farm outbuildings had a mass of carrots strewn on its floor. We were soon back to the railway, and this time had to cross by stiles on each side. Although the stiles were sturdy, the drop from the last step was quite deep. A short time away from the railway, a train rushed through – glad we didn’t have to cross a few minutes later! Farm workers were harvesting broccoli as we passed though the next field. What a vegan meal we could have picked ourselves with plums, damsons, carrots and broccoli on our route. Shortly before we returned to the canal towpath, we passed an old farm building with a date stone for 1701. We had a shower of rain on the last leg back to Burscough Wharf where we split, with some going for lunch and others heading for home.

Thanks to Ann and Pete for organising, recce-ing and leading the walk.