CARLISLE

 BRIDGE No. 3 😕

sleepers     :-  Danny and his missus  Barbara  

                         Mike and his missus  Kath

                          John and his missed   *******

As Julie Andrews sang "Let's start at the very beginning, A very good place to start."

So....Mike parked his car at JW's house and we gathered near the club in Grimsargh. From here a mini-bus took us and several others to join the large coach in Grimsargh and off we went Settle, picking up in the Clitheroe area. Soon we were on the platform at Clitheroe Railway station waiting for the train.

Over the old station bridge and a few minutes later the train arrived.

Not long after the train left Clitihroe we were riding over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. Rather an odd outing as it's advertised purpose was to encompass the Nationally famous viaduct. We couldn't see it.  It was under the train ????

"Did you see it Kath and Mike?"  "No."

"Did You see it Barbara and Danny?"   "No"

All happily at Carlisle Station. The train journey had been rather longer than we had anticipated and all the statioms were the same

We were immediately surrounded by Red Sandstone buildings possibly scavenged fron the knocked down Priory.

John was temporarily startled by his railway ticket. It was ONE WAY ! How do we get home ? The coach will drive up to Carlisle to bring us back silly..... OH! !

By now the sun was shining and the large Triangular Square... ( Eh ?)  was decidedly handsome . In fact the comment that it was almost continental was expressed several times.

By the time we arrived it the square it was well after noon and a cafe was sought. Down a side street we found one. the "Paradiso" which was friendly, and served excellent food in adequate portions.

Our next target was the Carlisle Cathedral which originally was....

"The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity"

Carlisle Cathedral is the second smallest in England.    You are now wondering which Cathedral is the smallest.................................... So am I 😄

It was originally a priory but much has changed both religiously and structurally. Particularly during the time of HenryVIII and later the Civil Wars.

One of the Cathedral's volunteers explaining to Danny how the bells worked.

The rather beautiful "Star Spangled " ceiling.

Mike admiring he "Brass Eagle" Lectern. What is the significance of the Eagle.

John the Evanglist spoke "Soaring" words from the pulpit. The eagle soars so the eagle represents John the evangelist and/or his teachings

The VERY large stained glass window

If you look very carefully you will see a black circle some 70ft (?) above.  That is the floor the bell ringers use (NOT for me)

Taking the stairs from the cafe you find yourself in the Fratry. The ancient Dining Hall. The three statues in the niches at the far end are modern and are entitled "Childline to God"  Can't see Esther Rantzen  or any Mobile phones though.

It took me a while to spot that each figure carried a child.

What's left of the old Priory. Stones were taken to repair part of the newly named Cathedral, to strengthen the Castle and as part of the fabric of the town.

This Old Postbox is actually Modern one and has been placed here to celebrate the first ever street postbox in England.

Returning to the Station through one of the twin toweres leading to the square.

The past was at times quite grusome and violent throughout the kingdom. The last hangman in england was Albert Pierrepoint who had connections with Preston, Lancashire.

The coach waitng for us in between one of the round towers and the staition.

A lovely day was somewhat marred by a four and a half hour journey home, The M6 Motorway was completely closed because of a bad. The alternative routes of course were clogged by traffic leaving the M6. The coach drver very sensible stopped at intervals to allow his mainly elderly passengers to visit toilets.

Late home but nevertheless a a lovely visit to a surprisingly attractive town.

Lets hope our next foray does not continue the theme and turn into

 "A Bridge Over Troubled Waters."

or worse

"The Bridge of Sighs"

See you all next Thursday or would you all rather play

"BRIDGE"

😉

JW

                                                                  

                                

PRESTON

A BRIDGE TOO FAR ?

CROSSERS :-  Danny, Jim, Mike, John

We seem to have been besotted by bridges in recent weeks. This one, however, was different. Most of us have used the old TRAM BRIDGE many times over the last seventy years or more and were quite upset when it closed several years ago. We have waited eagerly for the replacent bridge to open and at last here it is . The NEW TRAM BRIDGE.

.....and it was worth waiting for. Magnificent and most elegant.

Jim and I met at the car park near the Continental pub on South meadow Lane. Mike and Danny walked down through the town. We had arranged to meet at the cafe in the park,

Here they come now after watching the antics of a heron near the Japanese Garden.

Usual start off coffee. Who's this chap. I've seen him before in a glass case on Blackpool pier with a fly on his nose.

Coffees downed we set off along the treelined river side towards the new bridge.

Each of the trees along the avenue had a picture and information about the old bridge's history.

There in the distance we could see the new bridge straddling the river, Not easy against a dark background.

And here we are about to cross Preston's fabulous new Bridge.

Don't ask the cost..... "Why not ?"  .... 'cos I don't know it.

The rather exotic signpost has had a lick of paint.

Er ............Busy, Busy, Busy.............NO.

   

At each end of the bridge were these signs.  Good !    the bridge is certainly something for Preston to be proud of.

Coming off the bridge at the Walton le Dale side Jim ( or was it Mike ? ) noticed the rather artistic way trees were growing over Tram Road.

"Are you paying attention Whittle ? "

Deliberate, mistake or design feature ?

"There are just three ( er....Seven ) steps to heaven. "

EDDIE COCHRANE

"Highway to Nowhere"

Written  by DRAKE BELL sung amongst others by JIM REEVES

What are these ?.... Height checkers ?

We now walked downstream past the "Lovers Locks " bridge and on towards  the old cobbled Bridge.

Danny posing with................ Younger self ???

Looking across the river to the Continental pub from under a bridge which rebounded with echoes.

Looking over the sturdy high tide defenses  across to were such defenses were being installed.

Onward to the cobbled bridge we were to cross.

A childrens pay area with some dramaticly coloured "Tarmac".

Once over the cobbled bridge we came down to street level by some stone steps. Here we were treated to a very pretty display of daisies seemingly growing out of the cracks in the walls stonework.

At this point John left the group briefly to call on Dave who had chosen not to join us as the morning weather was not conducive................... He was asleep but Liz, his wife, woke him to say hello.

"Bit over the top the yellow waterproof John"  "Yes I know. But I've seldom worn it and it was dear".

Back into  Miller Park and then to Avenham Park cafe where, to our disappointment. NO HOT FOOD was available. Short of staff they explained. We had a quick brew and soon departed taking our separate ways to go home.

During our walk, as well as the Heron incident we had our own little "Spring Watch." 

We saw a Blackbird and a Thrush........

The thrush taking food back to it's chicks.

..........and the ubiquitous squirrel, During this season, the birds were feeding their young, which emboldened them to be approached.

Jim is becoming quite a wildlife photographer.

Well done Mr Cullen.

The day had been wet but not the appalling day the forecast had threatened . All enjoyed it.

See you on our next SAFARI.

🐅🐒🐘

JW