WORLDS AWAY

 FARAWAY FARM

On SAFARI :- Jim, Mike, Danny, Anthony, John

A longer drive than usual took us into foreign lands --- Yorkshire !

As we crossed the border high up on the moors there were  no masked men with sub-machine guns or barbed wire fences but we remembered that the "Wars of the Roses" is never quite over especially with clear blue skies and cricket on the telly but...

...we stopped at the border (Bowland Knotts) for a leg stretch and to admire the view.

The view was rather obscured by the morning mist in the valley.

Then down the long sloping moorland road to thehome of a good friend (relative)

I'm afraid the tudor styling of this farmhouse is FAUX. The orignal  frontage was definitally "vernacular" and built of local stone. There is, however no doubting that the building itself is hundreds of years old.

Parked up in the yard and into the ancient farmhouse for our first brew of the day.

Then outside to explore.... First the large garden and pond.

The pond did contain some large carp until otters, presumably from the nearby River Wenning, discovered that easy meals were available. The pond still holds some smaller carp.

We skirted round the pond to follow the flagged paths through the Garden.

The flagged paths took us up into a wooded are where several shelters had been built . What for?  To watch the birds. To sit and chat. To admire the views. To watch the deer ..... or simply to idle away the time in pleasant surroundings.

Wherever we went we were accompanied by two large, friendly, black Labradors. They especially took a shine to Anthony who is far from being a "doggy" person.

 

A gateway next to the shelters led us in to a narrow stretch of mainly coniferous trees.

At the end of the narrow stretch of trees was a further shelter from which we could see the herd of deer (Fallow) resting in a large patch of reeds some distance away.

Back though the woodland and down through the  garden passing, as we did, the resting place of the family pets that had died over the years.

Is it a bird ?🐦 Is it a plane ? ✈....... It was a bird .. but what kind. Don't ask John .. He couldnt see it .😟👎

As we came backtowards the farmhouse although very nervous 

(the deer not us😉) We got a better view of them over the fields.

Back inside the farmhouse our hostess had provided a simple but enjoyable lunch. Tasty sausages topped with a fried egg on a balmcake 👌👍

After lunch our host took us to see his "Trophy Room". He was at one time a Big Game hunter travelling  all over the world - Now retired.

Most of his guns are gone. The new firearms laws have obliged him to surrender after retirement. He is still allowed to keep a few antique and vintage weapons.

I think the animal in the bottom left of this photo is a  GNU

Sorry but I can't resist..........an extract from The "Gnu" song by Flanders and Swan. Also famous for the Hippopotamus song.

I'm a GNU   I'm a GNU

The G'nicest work of G'nature in the zoo

I'm a Gnu spelled GNU

I'm not a camel nor a kangaroo

So let me introduce

I'm G'neither man nor moose

Oh G'no, G'no,G'no I'm a GNU

(later in the song after further confusion)

I'm a Gnu. A G'nother Gnu

I wish I could G'nash my teeth at you

You really ought to know W-hoos W-hoo.

I'm a Gnu spelled G N U

Call me Bison or Okapi and I'll sue

Nor am I in the least like that dreadful Hartebeast

Oh Gno, Gno, Gno  I'm a GNU

The Gnu is also called a Wildebeast after the Africaans for Wild Beast and the G is silent in English and is simply a  "Noo"

A victorian display case with golden eagles.   NOT shot by our host.

This astounding room might not have been to everyone's taste but it was nevertheless quite fascinating.    Very much an anachronism which our host has in the past also declared himself to be.

Forget the lions.... This is the most dangerous animal in Africa.. the buffalo

Anthony looked quite overwhelmed by it and in need of a sit down.

OOH !   You Little Devil !

Another amusingly contrived photo by Jim.

All the walkers agreed that this had been the most fascinating outing we have had for a long time

So....

"Safari so goody" 

(cringe cringe)

As one of our children's TV presenters used to say.

"Bye for now"

JW

with credits to JC (photos)

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