PRESTON DOCKS

DOWN BY THE DOCK.

THE SUPER SIX:-  John, John, Mike, Jim, Danny. Anthony.

AS we arrived, Jim and John R had beaten us to the dockland parking and were waiting for us on the path next to the dock itself. Much handshaking took place as we had not seen John for a while.

We straightaway took off.  Heading for the cafe.

🐉

As we passed the large sailing boats we saw that two of the famous dragon boats were also on the water.

"But where are the dragons ?" Someone asked. " You'll soon see." came the reply.

At the prow of the boats you may have noticed a narrow part which contains a notch into which were slotted heads. But where are they ?

Into the cafe and a slurp of our first coffee of the day.  Is that drink hot Jim ? ...... and there above our heads, hiding in the rafters were the Dragon's heads waiting to "Get Slotted".

As well as the Dragons another quite different vessel could be seen hanging from the ceiling.

Mike was the last to leave the cafe and waiting to greet him were some decidedly shadowy figures.

Leaving the cafe we followed the path which took us alongside the railtracks and over the locks allowing access from the outer sea lock.

We followed the surprisingly large development of houses and apartment blocks along the southern side of possibly the largest single dock basin in the country.

Through the gaps in the buildings we could see the "Artificial" lighthouse next to Morrisons.

On seeing this photo I cannot help but write the old Irish aphorism.

" May your shadow never grow less"

I'm sure  Jim, our proud Hibernian, will be able to supply more such wise Irish sayings.

As Danny has booked lunch for us at 1pm and we were rather early we crossed the raihay lines to sit by the river for a while.

{ Danny's lunch booking technique }

"Table for 4 please.........er.. table for 5 please....... er.. table for 6 please.. Thank You " 

Sitting just across from the River Ribble

Where Shall we go next ?

.... We chose to go back across the lines to the dock.

Heading towards the Eastern end of the dock and looking for Danny's cafe, "The Loft",  which was a little way OUTSIDE the dock complex

Cafe ?  It's a Furniture shop 😕

We passed through a VERY large are of luxurious furniture, Indeed there were enough sofas to allow all the promenaders standing at the"LAST NIGHT OF." to be comfortably seated. ( well mebbe )

Eventually we lit upon the "Restaurant" and were led to the table ( for SIX) Danny had booked. Just as well as there was hardly a seat empty anywhere.

Waiting to be served

..... and a brew to finish..... and look even the dining chairs were padded !

Danny had my stick ready for me (the one on the left) before I had a chance to forget it. Which I more than frequently do.................. Forget what ???

Danny was quite intrigued by the shape of the toilets. 

No ! We did not try them out for shape.

The RAK (rack) was a medieval form of torture... Meks yu think. 😢

The wallpaper or "MURIEL"  was also rather good. Hilda Ogden would have loved it.

Out of the Shop/Cafe.

Back round the "bottom" end of the dock and way in the distance we plodded to the cars.

The sun is still shining and our shadows have NOT diminished. 

Another excellent but DIFFERENT walk.

"SLAN LEAT"

JW.

PS.  When Preston Dock opened in 1892 it was the largest single dock in Europe. it may still be.

BLACKPOOL STANLEY PARK

NOSEY PARKERS

THIRD PARK EXPLORED IN THREE WEEKS FOR THREE MEN...DON'T FORGET JIM !

After........ Worden (Leyland) and  Astley (Chorley).

Now Stanley (Blackpool)

Which was the best........ ALL had much to recommend them and each was thoroughly enjoyed.  So I'M  not saying.

Parking was quite easy as we parked within Stanley itself only a short distance from the cafe. Following our last visit we went first to the visitor centre where we had our "Start the day" coffee but were told they only served coffees in there when the main cafe was closed. So we crossed the short distance to the most attractively decorated (Halloween) main cafe. and were warmly greeted by an dressed up "Meet and greet" gentleman  who quickly found us a table amid the bustling cafe (Half term....lots of parents and kids)

This photo looks like the place was empty. Not at all. It was a very large cafe and we were placed here as people got up and left, The vacant seats were quickly filled.

The coffee was as usual excellent and welcomed. 

As we left to explore the park we have to admit to one bit of naughty rule breaking. Visits to toilets for elderly gentlemen are "De Rigeur" and standing at locked doors searching for the right change can be somewhat fraught,. So... here's the naughty bit... deep in a rucksack we have a "Magic" key bequethed to us by Martin who sadly left us not long ago. We use the disabled (Radar) key. I have to plead that a group of octogenarians using walking  sticks is surely close allied to "Disabled" 😏

Off we went to explore this very large park. First through the rather dilapidated looking quadrangle of Crowngreen bowling areas.  We were looking for the "Rose Garden which Mike's wife Kath had planned we should visit.

As we searched for the roses two crafty Carrion Crows crossed our path . One was craftier than the one we can see. It carefully kept the tree between itself and us.  Just in case we were not entirely friendly.

In our search we climbed up to a bank bordering the park but this only gave us a view over the neighboring Golf course. At the end of the embankment a thin muddy path led us further along a narrow stretch of woodland till eventually we could see the Rose Garden lower down to our left.

The blooms were rather faded as winter drew close but there were still some hardy blooms hanging on.

Look carefully Mike and Danny are in this photo beyond the blooms.

Oh dear ! The roses were not the only things coming to a sad end.

Within the garden was a large,  circular memorial construction. Look carefull and you will see to whom. .. "CHARIE CAROLI"....(spelling ?)

AND HERE HE IS

Mike was able to tell us that his son was in his class at school.

As we left the roses we came across evidence of the damage caused by the recent storms and high winds. Large branches torn from trees and taking other trees and bushes as they crashed down.

The daring behavior of the squirrels which we had witnessed in Astley park was even more evident here.

By now lunch time was upon us and we walked back alongside the pillored shelters provided for the bowlers awaiting their turns to take to the greens.

LUNCH !

Mike's lunch nearly finished

John still got some way to go.

Obviously Mike got his first ............ Oh Aye ! 

Perhaps a sandwich is quicker to eat than a topping and salad covered baked potato

Whilst Mike and John finished their brews Danny went to the other side of the cafe to photograph this Automaton couple dancing. John meanwhile had taken one of his hearing aids out to check and put it on the table, IT'S STILL THERE ! No it isn't I've rung to check.

Twirling quietly round in the corner of the room.

Lunch finished we left the cafe to further explore the spacious park.  Down to the lake.

NO PHOTOS OF THE LAKE ?  C'mon John what are you thinking about ?

Looks like this "Temple"  was part of the refurbishment.

Beyond the temple the park opened out to include large grassed areas and the following

In the wide open spaces beyond the temple there was a large and well maintained BMX  track. Sorry about the "Fuzzy Fella" but he was going fast.

Almost alongside it was a very similar construction designed for use for Scooters and Skateboards.

The boy on the bike was not being a nuisance but merely passing by.  The path round the edge of the facility was blocked by observers (parents)  and others taking a rest before slipping back down the slopes.

Over the trees we could see the clock tower and the newly brightened clock (Gold)

The Blue Plaque informed us that the clock was 100 years old this year.

Taking this photo was rather difficult as the paths were busy. The tower was high and walking backwards risked banging into people. I did manage to squeeze Mike in though .....can you see him ?

Behind us as we admired the 100 year old clock was the park's athletic track.  Mike proudly told us that in his younger days he had run round the track and actually managed a complete lap. Do you think he is being modest ? I do. but I'm not taking bets.

In one corner enveloped behind a wire "cage" was a young lady practicing "The Hammer" . It looked VERY difficult.

"Time to go Home. Time to go home.  

Andy is saying goodbye"

Do you remember who said that ?

Andy Burnham....... No !

Andy Warhol............No !

Andy Murray............No !

ANDY PANDY  of course. Did you get it ?  No ? Obviously too young.

I always had my suspicions about him. But then there was Looby Loo.

Come out of dreamland John and get on with the blog...... Sorry !

In the modern tradition of texting only initials here is a another BAP (Bloody Awful Photo)

Back past the water feature with the Art Deco cafe in the background.

I did not take this photo . REALLY ?  (Clue... I'm in it)

Back to the car and home.

Where are we going next week ? 

Um......er........um 

See you there then

JOHN