10) Brandreth Barn - A very nice moment

It was freezing cold today.  Bitter.  But nonetheless Trento had to be exercised.  I explained to Mrs R that I was unable to assist around the ranch because of this essential duty.  In these circumstances she completely understands.   It’s not like I was going out to amuse myself with some petty whim to avoid household chores.  No, this is animal care - an important task. 

Miss Victoria should be with me, but its cold so there's no chance of that.   I do like to take Trento to different places.  So today I took him to Martin Mere.  We were not staying. It was just a good place to park the car.

We (meaning me as Trento does not mind the cold) were wrapped up warm, and it was still cold.  The plan was to travel along the footpath from Martin Mere (sorry to keep mentioning this – other bird sanctuaries are available in West Lancs) to Mere Sands Wood.  This is a good, signposted walk.  Worth doing.

We started off with good intent. It’s a walk across the countryside.  However, it was not getting any warmer. We decided it would be best if we sat this one out. It had just gone 10am and I know that Brandreth Barn Tea Room is just up the road.  An easy choice.  I hitched him up outside and went in for the usual.The woman thought it was a bit odd that all I asked about at 10am, before they had any other cutomer, was cakes.  All homemade too.

I’d never been there before; it’s got a nice cottage-style look to it.  No sandwich cakes were available but they had fruit cake.   Different ones, £3.95 with a pot of tea.  When it arrived it looked and tasted good.  No bag, or website details – just made on the premises.  No further details are necessary.     And lots of fruit too.  Now Scone’s brother will tell you that he makes a great Christmas fruit cake but privately I can confess to you reader that this knocks the pants off his. 

The pot of tea is very good.  They have got round the problem of the first cup being too weak by putting two tea bags in the pot.  That's the sort of attention to detail a good cup of tea deserves.

The woman returned to the kitchen and carried on making food for the day ahead.  There were the smells and sounds of cooking.  It was a really pleasant experience.   But there was nothing to read.  Not even an old Lancashire Life.   The Kindle came out; I enjoyed both cake and tea.  After about twenty minutes flew by before it was time to collect Trento (he seemed happy outside - perhaps I should have let him enjoy it for a little longer) and to return home.   The nearest I can get to explaining the satisfaction involved would be to say that the pleasure of owning your own shed would be similar.

Best not to mention this to Mrs R, let her think that I’ve been looking after Trento.  No need to mention the cake either. When I got home she praised me for the care I was showing Trento. Its just as well he's not Mr Ed; she made me a fresh cup of tea to warm me up after the cold.  Very nice.

No buses go to Martin Mere or Brandreth Barn Tea Room.  You can get there by walking from Burscough Bridge Station, it’s signposted.  There’s even a great reed bed walk you can do on the way.   Fabulous.  Or you can get the train to New Lane Station, it’s about half a mile away.  Or you go to Jack Parker’s Cycle Shop in Burscough and hire a bike.

9) Box Tree Cafe, Burscough - I'll be back, perhaps.

After a good walk with Trento along the Leeds Liverpool Canal we had our aim set high. We passed the Martin Inn.  We could even have gone to The Farm, which we like.  But no we pressed on, we were not to be distracted.  Not even the thought of a cool beer in The Farmers or The Slipway could deter us.  No, today we were steering towards The Box Tree Cafe at the Burscough Wharf.  I'd seen it before and it looked good, and the website had raised my expectations.

It was the day the Wharf was celebrating its first anniversary with a transport festival and the place looked great. There was a fabulous green double decker parked in the yard.

In the Box Tree although it was not busy there was a short queue to get served and the young girl appeared to be struggling to keep up.  Despite this the woman who appeared to be in charge was talking to a visitor.  I was disappointed as I was looking forward to my tea and cake.  The signs looked good.  Trento was hitched up outside and I wanted to enjoy the moment and get back to my "Kemo Sabe."  After five minutes queueing the conversation continued and then they were joined by another woman.  I was still waiting to be served.   As yet no-one had been served.   After a  couple more minutes the woman said to her two friends, "Can I get you anything?"  Well that was it. I'd had enough.   I left.  I will be back, perhaps. The Box Tree may get another bite of the Cherry Bakewell but for now it's had its chance.   There are lots of other places I have yet to visit once.  Which is a real pity as the cakes looked good.

Trento and I went home cakeless on the No.2 from Preston to Ormskirk.

Box Tree Tea Room Burscough Wharf, Liverpool Road North, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 5TN

Box Tree Tea Room Burscough Wharf, Liverpool Road North, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 5TN

4) Infusions, Burscough - Whitney and I

Well what can I say.  People have been asking me  about my motivation, am I The Scone Ranger eating cakes so you don't have to?   Or after my trip to Cafe Red in Ormskirk (where I had bread and butter pudding) have I turned in the Dessert Fox?    I've lost my focus so soon. Its a crisis of confidence.   I need to get back on track. 
Unfortunately the legendary Ponderosa in Burscough, next door to the former weird shoe shop, would not let me in.   They claimed they were closing.  I checked my mask to make sure it was not slipping but it can't have been that.  It must be the spurs.    I have to resort to Infusions.  Nice place,  I sit down and order a cup of tea with a saucer and a piece of lemon drizzle cake.  £2.95.  Is it home made, I ask?  No, its bought in.  Shame.  It's a nice cup of tea and a nice piece of cake.  And they have the papers to read.  Huzzah!  Its quality time now, cake, tea and the papers all to myself.

My trusty Trento is with me today but naturally he is not allowed in. I've had to tether him up outside in the cold.

It's the day after Whitney Houston's funeral, and all the papers are full of it.  Apparently everyone in the room when they found her agreed it was a terrible waste, but that the taps really were very good.  Why did someone not stop her excesses?  Why did someone not say, "Houston, you have a problem."   Apparently at the cremation they played the Kings of Leon for her former husband Bobbi, "Ooh, your 'ex is on fire."

The buses 2a and 3 will get you here and both Burscough Bridge and Burscough Junction Stations are close.

4 down, 176 to go.

Infusions,4 Orrell Lane, Burscough, Lancashire. L40 0SZ