SOUTHPORT

HESKETH 

Collegiate Colleagues :- Jim, John, Anthony, Danny.

After much discussion - Phone, Text, E-mail .... a decison was taken to visit Southport. Several options were available but as we had not, as a group, visited Hesketh Park that is where we went.

As we entered the park a swift enquiry allowed two ladies to point us in the direction of the cafe.

 "Turn left and follow the path. It's not far. It's very good, not dear and the staff are lovely"...... All correct !

Morning coffees imbibed and off we went to explore the Park.

We were amused and delighted to come across " A blast From the Past".  We all remembered using drinking fountains as young lads on hot sunny days. The Park managers had left these historical artefacts for us oldies to reminisce about.

Pretend you're having a drink " said Jim

"You look like your being sick into it" said Anthony".................. 

"Thank you so Much Anthony !" said John.

Quite soon into our walk we met this gentlemen who was running something like a market garden. This was a private charity which took people with problems and provided therapy in the form of active participation in the running of the business. I was quite jealous. Their broadbeans were way ahead of mine.

The path in and out was built by the clients.

Our plan was to follow the path taking us round the edge of the park until we arrived back at the cafe. Have lunch and then delve into the middle bits.

 

In every direction we looked there were swaithes of Bluebells.

Although not strictly on the perimeter of the park this highly elaborate fountain ẁas only a few yards in.

A rather eccentric fountain at the end of the lake. We could not see it's purpose. That's not true. It's purpose was to squirt water out but by whom and for whom and who funded it

Snapper snapped.

Most of the parks in Preston had large sweeping areas of open spaces. Here the Parks seemed to have smaller areas all filled with different themes.

Here's a corner of the Rose garden. Rather disappointing as non of the huge variety of the plants were in full bloom

As we continued our walk Jim spotted a building through the trees. We left the path and clambered up the grassy bank towards it.

It was an observatory

If the cap fits.................

A rather unusual public information sheet attached to the side of the observatory. Not quite clear who, why or what it is meant for ??? 

One of the ladies working in the cafe. Taking a break to have her own lunch. 

Lunch over we followed the path down to the lake.

Jim lining up a special photo.

 

....and here it is.  Jim called it "The fount of all knowledge"  and in view of Danny's considerable contributions to our weekly walks, not far from the truth.  I myself, being more of a Philistine, cannot help but slip in the old Joke, "What do you need for water on the brain ?  A tap on the head of course.s

On top of what we assumed was the highest point in the park was a large paved area ???

Then some steps dropping down to a summer house/bandstand ?

We continued our explorations of this lovely park but all the while heading back to the exit.

All wood  has knots in it but this is way over the top. Tree of the week undoubtedly but perhaps for the wrong reason.

Another short but worthwhile visit and potter.

Wither to next week? You'll have to wait till next week for the denoument.

Adios Amigos Hasta la proximo

JW

DUNSOP BRIDGE

ST. HUBERT

HUBERTIANS :- Jim, Anthony, Danny, John

Who was St Hubert ? He was a French Noble,born 650AD, with a penchant for Hunting. His Dad was called BOGGIS and his Mum was called HUGBERN. but we can't blame him for that. He was out hunting deer when he should have been in church. ( we can blame him for that!) A stag he was chasing turned to face him and lo and behold between it's antlers there was a crucifix - Instant conversion to Saintliness. Later, a large nail with a decorated head was named after him. The head was heated and pressed against any wound caused by a dog bite. The searing heat of the nail killed any bugs and was therefore used to prevent Rabies.. Hmmmmm ? Didn't prevent agonising blisters though. (Ask Jim about blisters)

"Blisters"  did you say ?

Jim had recently burnt his hand whilst cooking

As is our wont in recent times we started off with a warming brew in the "Puddleducks" cafe.

John W appears to be "Shrinking". and he doesn't look happy about it.

Leaving the cafe we turned right over the bridge crossing the River Dunsop and walking past the rather attractive "Dunsop Bridge Working Men's Club".  Not a bit like the working men's clubs around Preston where myself and Danny's sister Rose Marie use to play and sing during the late 60's.

The River Dunsop.

The working men's club

From here a short rise took us to the war Memorial.

Opposite was an old cast iron marker showing that Dunsop Bridge, now in Lancashire, was once in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Who's this.. The "good shepherd" how'd that sheep get up there ?

Dunsop Bridge also lays claim to be the nearest village to the centre of the Great Britain. The actual Centre lies just a few miles away in the fells near a spot called "Hanging Rocks"(Ordnance Survey).

St Huberts Church.... situated at the start of the road going over the Trough of Bowland.  The church is said to have been built by Richard Towneley out of the winnings when his horse "Kettle Drum" won the Derby in the mid 19th Century.

This small church is possibly one of the most attractive churches we have looked around over the years (We have explored many).

The church was open and a sign said "welcome " so we went in.

Before the altar was a Calvary. There are many lifesized ones of these in France (CALVAIRES) which together with depictions of the "Stations of the Cross" Create a short walk up a hill or through the fields.

The ceiling above the alter was highly decorated and we had heard that the Horse "Kettledrum" was featured amongst other things.

We searched but could not find it.

But later, looking at one of the other photos, we spotted it...... Can you ?

the Stained glass windows, beautiful in their simplicity and Clarity. 

We assumed this to be Veronica who wiped the face of Jesus as he walked to his crucifixtion. An oversimplification, perhaps, but remeniscent of the Shroud of Turin

On coming out of the church we pottered around the neatly kept graveyard where one of Jim's relatives ashes had been scattered in a quiet corner.  Possibly this one !

The finials on the railings seemed to have the shape of an owl with a swan superimposed upon it ????  Again.....can you see them both.

We walked back into the village using a slightly differing route through forestry land.

As we walked back we came across "Easter Eggs" Jim suggested that it might have been the school preparing an "Egg Hunt"

The alert reader may have already noticed one on the "West Riding" photo. Our photographer (Me) didn't.

So back over the Dunsop River and into the "Puddle Ducks" for lunch.

On our way home Danny asked if we could briefly visit the graveyard at Alston Lane church. 

Here, near to where John's wife Valerie was recently buried, (and he shall follow) Danny had booked a site for himself and his wife Barbara, Mike had some time ago also booked a site for himself and Kath his wife. All three within a few yards of each other. A strangely comforting thought.

This seemingly morbid occasion was actually a rather pleasant and even joyful visit.

The sole purpose of this short walk was to visit the tiny but delightful church shown in the blog. Short and damp as it was it it still turned out to be a lovely walk. Thanks to Jim for the photographs he contributes to the blog each week.

See you soon

JW