TRAM BRIDGE

 MEETING MEETING ! Miles ? Not relevant.

Attendees :-  John R, John W, Mike, Danny, Jim, Anthony.

MEETING 1

MEETING 2

Our first meeting was a delight, Not so our second.

But as the song goes in "The sound of Music"

"Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start."

So..... We met at Anthony's later than usual - 11am. This was not to be our usual style of planned walk but rather a gathering to attend a meeting.

From Anthony's we walked round to St Clare's where we caught the 19a bus which took us to Preston Railway Station.

Down to the main entrance passing the taxi ranks.

Down again to the platforms where a train to Barrow departed as we headed for the subway.

Across the extra large car park and through what was once a broken fence which we, amongst others, have squeezed through in the past. No squeezing now a well built path leads to a proper opening down to the "Lovers Locks" bridge which was once a dual purpose bridge taking trains and pedestrians over the river.

PREVIOUSLY .. Climbing through the broken fence.

A phone call from/to (?) Jim advised us that he had arrived in Avenham Park and was waiting for us.

We soon met up and proceeded to Miller park in search of somewhere to sit and eat our "Butties".

Miller Park was a sheer delight with individuals, couples and family groups enjoying the warm sunshine in this beautiful Park.

There were large empty benches available on the top terrace so up the steps we went.

A friendly and no doubt charming couple passing by happily agreed to take a group photo.

John Russell had not, at this point, joined us.

The next few photos were taken to illustrate what  lovely parks we have in Preston.

With no particular plan for a walk we indulged in a longer than usual "Buttie" break sitting enjoying the view under warm blue skies.

Then, with time to fill, we heaved ourselves of the comfortably warm bench and viewpoint.

PEOPLE WATCHING

Over the years my wife and I have spent many happy times simply sitting at an outside cafe watching the world and it's people passing by. You can't beat it. In England, Scotland, Wales, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland Germany, Croatia, Montenegro all places we have holidayed and no doubt most other places. It is a truly internationally popular pass time. Doubtless enjoyed by YOU too.

As we passed a giant tunnelled rockery we came across a child who having climbed up a tree was having difficulty climbing down again. Danny (who else ?) stepped forward to help much to the concerned mother's relief and gratitude.

Again some photos, "Down by the Riverside", showing what a delightful park Avenham is as well.

Looking beyond the figures on the river bank we can see the continuing work on the support structure which will carry the new "Tram Bridge" over the Ribble.

A closer look reveals the work still to be done on the approaches to the bridge either through the park or from the Old Tram Road coming from Bamber bridge and Lostock Hall area.

For those unfamiliar with the area's history. The whole combination was built to link the LEEDS/LIVERPOOL canal to the LANCASTER canal.

Across to the Old Tram Road

Back up through the park to the Lancaster canal basin in the Maudlands district of Preston.

We now made our way to the cafe where the meeting was to take place, Bought ourselves coffees and teas and sat down to join the meeting.

The observant reader will have spotted that as we reached the cafe we were joined by John Russell.........

..... and here he is 😊

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 2pm. By quarter past 2 NOTHING. Your writer tackled one of the organisers who explained that they thought it would be a good idea to allow people to look at the displays first. " That was not what the "Literature" had said " . Eventually the meeting began Being in a noisy cafe we could hear little of what was said, NO PA SYSTEM ???? Even a small portable one would have helped.

The "INFORMATION " meeting ended with us being very little the wiser.

We said our goodbyes to John R and Jim who were leaving the Parks by a different route and set off to walk through the town centre to catch the bus back to Fulwood.

Our route took us through Winkley Square Gardens, A much smaller but equally attractive piece of "greenery".  We noticed that the statue to "Sir Robert" had avoided the the wokeism that had destroyed many other statues a few years ago. Mostly of people involved in the slave trade and whilst I agree that the slave trade was abhorrent and we ought not to celebrate people who made fortunes out of it........ you can't change history.

Just like the "Curates Egg" our day was good, VERY good, in parts and disappointing in others.

BYE FOR NOW

John W

CHORLEY ASTLEY PARK

WOODY  WONDERFUL   3 Miles

WOODENTOPS :- Jim, Mike, Anthony, John and Danny. 

If you are old enough to remember the children's TV programme "The Woodentops" you may also remember that they had the "Biggest Spotty Dog in all the World !"

First stop Penwortham to pick Jim up, "Where is he ?"

Ah. There he is. Gone to his car to pick some gear up.  And off we went to Chorley........  It does exist. We found it eventually.

Ho ! Ho ! Very funny.  Watch out fellas we're being patronised. 😄

It's always a good start to any walk to have a brew whilst discussing the day's plans.  

WE HAVE PLANS ???

Well... very sketchy ones. We expected a warm day so planned that a large part of our walk would be in the cool shade of Astley Park's woodland.

First a potter round the walled garden (Hedged ?) a gentle start to the day's walking.

Our chimney stack's better than your chimney stack.

A weary soldier rests near the war memorial. 

A dead tree stump carved into a sculpture. That's the big one. Front stage left !

I was obliged to stand next it for a photo. I saw no resemblance.  Do You ?

An old fountain fed by a small lake higher up the banking. For many years it was completely covered by soil and detritus until someone realised there was something there and dug away the earth around it.

We climbed further up the bank to follow the broad trail through this rather enchanting wood.

A little before our usual lunchtime we came to a decidedly pretty "Dell" and were wiled into settling here to eat our butties.

Check it carefully. It is not the same photo !

As we sat munching a middle aged couple passed by and the gentleman laughingly called out "Five old men sitting on a wall" (Ten Green bottles  ?). We immediately answered by calling out "WHERE ? WHERE  " and swivelling our heads as if looking for them.  More laughter followed.

Who is this "Siren" talking to John. Just a very friendly dog walker who told us, at length, the life history of her Greyhound dog.

Off again through this really lovely wood.

The track criss-crossed the stream as it wound it's way through the wood. Hence the number of small bridges we encountered.

Suddenly the wood ended and we emerged into the lush, sunlit green of the parks well managed grassland.

             

Difficult to see but this post has the word START imprinted on it. START WHAT ?

.To the side of the path were various "Attractions" including this fake ancient castle. Mike refused to be "Stocked".....   "I did it last time .. in Poulton."

When the sun is shining we tend to have numerous stops simply to chat and enjoy  the fresh warmth of the day.

This large and revered tree is diseased and has been fenced of so that special feeds and "Antibiotics" can be provided and also to stop visitors feet spreading the disease around the park.

This little croc was immediately likened to Cinderella's slipper and who was cajoled into being photographed with it.   Prince Charming ?   I THINK NOT !

Back at the park's administrative centre and the Elizabethan/Tudor mansion that is Astley Hall.

 We have been round the Hall  earlier in our walking year . It is well worth a visit.

More  "STOP and NATTER" Moments.

The Hall looked dark and empty and, with a smile, John knocked on the door. Much to everyone's surprise the door opened and a lady stepped out.

"Were you just being silly ?" She asked,  " Er.... well er..... Yes "

She was actually  waiting for a booked tour party. But she was very gracious about it and offered to take a group photo at the door.

Anthony                John                  Jim                   Danny.               Mike    

and so..............

GOOD MORROW 

GENTLE READERS

OUR CARRIAGE AWAITS

(Pretentious Twit !)

THE END

p.s. Who looks after this Park ?...........  Chorley Council .  

 

WELL DONE CHORLEY COUNCIL