The Meanderthals: 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 !