The Blue Mallard

As I said yesterday, here are some photographs of our day out with Jo and Dave at Burscough.  I posted pictures of the "deelish" food we had (real good stuff check out the website here) yesterday so hopefully whetted your appetites for a trip there if you live within striking distance.

When Chas and I arrived, there was Jo in the old fashioned sweetshop buying her favourite Cinammon balls and some Cherry Lips (I used to buy those when I was in white ankle socks) and Midget Gems.  The shop also stocks the cordials from Fitzpatricks in Rawtenstall where I used to live. That reminded me of the time my son was still in his pram and I used to go there for a "hot stingo" with my friend Lillian on the way back from shopping with the toddlers.  He's all grown up now and 6'5" tall so you can see it is a long while ago.  In fact Micah, the man who owned the store, passed away quite a long time ago, he was such a lovely gentleman, a proper one too.

After the meal we went for a walk along the canal banking - what about these for retirement flats - wouldn't it be idyllic living? Without the hassle of the locks you are on the canal banking -  my imagination would run riot as I sat in those gardens.

Look at this lovely Mallard - I got up quite close and he didn't jump in, guess they must be so used to people with living here.

Look at his lovely colouring.

This poor white thing must have been trapped or savaged as there were no wing feathers.  Just broken quills left in their place, but he was an adorable thing with a little white tuft on his head - leading to much debate as to whether he was young or old.

Could not resist showing you this picture, what a way to spend a Tuesday afternoon cruising down the canal.

Once we left the canal we went in search of the charity shops having been talking to Jane in the Gallery who was sporting the most gorgeous necklace she had bought from there.  It looked quite expensive but was a charity shop buy.  Needless to say I got nothing, Jo got a Rag Doll for one of the grandees and a necklace she might pull to bits for her crafting.

Then we went to the little square and Jo got side tracked running around the circular monument reading what was written on the ground.  Here she is in deep contemplation

and here on her way round reading

It was here I spotted a white owl

not real of course

and then all too soon it was time to wave goodbye again

A lovely day out with Jo and Dave

and great views on the way home

as James Cagney once famously said "Look Ma, Top of the World"

Parbold Hill looking across the Douglas Valley