The Meanderthals: Copster Green. More Photos

Having parked alongside the green we were in the process of changing into our boots and spats when suddenly a heavy shower of rain caused our party to start getting into their wet wear. Oh no!
came the cry. Whats to do? It was Danny, he'd left his waterproof jacket in his car, back at Anthony's house. Help was on hand, in the form of Paddy, who offered to lend Danny his cape, for which Danny was most grateful. Thanks Paddy

Leaving the village green behind we headed down to the A59, crossed over the busy road, and continued down Park Gate Road,
an unmade road, fringed along one side by a row of quaint cottages.

We carried on along the road to it's end, passing through the farmyard of Park Gate farm. Scaling a stile at the end of the road
we found ourselves in a large meadow. A signpost gave us the option of continuing on ahead, or turning right. Anthony led us off to the right. Off we trudged through long wet grass, and across another stile, where we adjourned for a coffee break.

As we sat enjoying our brew, a group of walkers were spotted in the distance. All were wearing, over their back packs, pink waterproof covers. A school party doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards, said John, which was confirmed when they
caught up with us. The group were all girls except for one young man. They were from a school in Blackburn.

Leaving us in their wake, they headed off into the mist.

After trudging through two more fields of wet grass, we were relieved to cross a stile and enter into woodland. A short distance further on we emerged onto a narrow road, on the other side of which was Marles Wood and car park.

The path into the wood, on the other side of the car park, met up with the River Ribble at a lovely spot that Anthony had earmarked for our lunch spot, but unfortunately the D of E group had got there before us. A flock of geese were sitting camouflaged among the rocks on the opposite bank

With tummies rumbling, we pressed on in search of an alternative lunch venue.

This woodland way alongside the river was a wonderfully pleasant section of today's walk.

However caution was required, as many tree roots were causing trip hazards for the unwary walker.

Once out of the wood we found a nice grassy bank on which to perch whilst we proceeded to pacify our grumbling tummies.

Would you believe it? The sun has started to break through.

Suitably nourished we trudge on with renewed vigour - You speak for yourself, I hear you cry - and soon catch sight of the recently completed replacement for the old Dinkley footbridge. that was
damaged by storm Frank in 2015

I think the planners for the new bridge were determined that, should all other bridges between there and the Irish sea get washed away in a catastrophic flood, their bridge alone would survive.

New bridge photo, but same old geezers.

To my mind Dinkley Hall standing alone presented a much superior view than it does now, obscured by the new buildings.
But what do I know?

Is this security installation to protect a highly sensitive Government building? No, just a house

Some beautiful flower borders were to be seen along this Lane.

Reaching a T Junction at the end of the lane, across on the other side and to the right was an overgrown stile. Having traversed the stile, we had a large area of pasture land to cross.