LEYLAND

 WORDEN PARK 2.3 +1 Miles

" TheThree Amigos"  Danny, Mike, John.

"Now is the winter of our discontent...." That quotation from Lawrence Olivier's soliloquay from Shakepeare's Richard lll (Or was it Henry V ?), with winter beginning to bare it's teeth and 2 of our companions unable to join us, rain in the air and heavier showers forecast seemed an appropriate way to begin.

We parked in the main car park at the large entrance to the grounds. It took us several minutes to fathom out the mysterious workings of the parking metre, (they're all annoyingly different) and then set off  to take the long path down the valley and up to the cafe . 

We walked in the teeth of a howling storm....... NO WE DIDN'T its just a cocked up photograph..... Ok  Ok !

As we walked we became aware of the large number of students from Runshaw College streaming down the Pathways. "Free Periods" they told us when we stopped them to ask. This only shows one group, There were literally scores of students on every path.

Keeping to the edge of the park we carefully followed the long flight of steps down to the side of the RIVER or STREAM both wrong... it's Shaw BROOK !

A photo of a folly... Which one ? The one on the left or the one on the right..

Ho. Ho. Ho !  Thank you....................... NO the stone one !

Our BRIDGE PHOTOS are somehow not what they were.

John had suggested that it might be fun to cross the brook using the natural "Fallen Tree"  bridge. . Enthusiasm was lacking to say the least. Actually nobody said "the least" but what they did say was unrepeatable.

After a pleasant lunch in the cafe we began our walk through the park back to the car.

A we walked we came across two things drawing our attention. One was a Carrion Crow, which I expect you identified immediately. Like all the other birds, John tries to photograph. it took off the minute he pointed his camera.

The other was a smart new building which had been constructed within the model Railway enclosure.

We had approached the cafe with a certain amount of trepidatious cerebral activity. (What ARE you talking about John....CONCERN would have been adequate)  The last time we came one of our number ended up out cold on the stone flagged floor.

Not this time though. The cafe was relatively quiet and they very efficiently served us with an excellent "Broccoli and Stilton" soup..... to Danny and I at least....... Mike had a rather exotic looking sandwhich.

 Once in the car we set off for home but as we made our way to the ring road Mike suggested that as we were quite early we should seek out another cafe and continue our aimless but enjoyable "Ramblings". 

So... we parked at Tesco in Penwortham and made our way to the recently visited "Bon Bons".  It was full of ladies both young and old. Not a Fella in sight. When I asked where the fellas were I was smilingly directed to the TOILETS.      NAW ! I didn't mean that.  No Matter.

back to the car and off home. Busy, slow moving traffic allowed us to continue our "Ramblings" till we got to Mikes.

The rather dispondant start to this blog is something that has been niggling me for some time. Our numbers have diminished over recent years, Illness , "caring" and other commitments and sadly, even deaths have depleted our group. Our weekly outings have changed ....... from planned "WALKS" to rather more loosely planned "GATHERINGS"  were a cafe is high on the list with a walk of some kind (not too long) a definite bonus.

I , personally, find this new approach most enjoyable but we will definitely have to plan each thursday with different things in mind and take into consideration the abilities of those attending. This,  I think, has already happened  but we must always look carefully to the future.

Twenty years ago when I first started walking each Thursday my overiding intention was not to become a "Couch potato", Well I think that worked but there is still an "Idle Spud" lurking beneath the surface, So.... as we hear every week from Anfield 

"Walk on, Walk on With hope in your heart"

One of the pens which I used to give out each year bore the words

"Meanderthals walk into the future"

SEE YOU IN THE FUTURE

JW

PENWORTHAM

 HILL TOWN FORD

HILL BILLIES :-  Jim, Danny, Mike and John 

Where the bridge crosses the River Ribble there was once a ford.  At the top of the hill beyond, a town grew up and the Normans built a castle to protect the town and it's river crossing.

Information Board....

When we arrived in Penwortham Jim had saved us a parking spot right next to his house not many yards from the high street.   That's us - The white car hiding behind black car 😀

Jim lives at the house on the corner of Lawrence Road. The one in the photo. Whilst the car is in Lawrence Road , h e is actually in Rawstorne Road. The historic owner of the land was Lawrence Rawstorne.

He explained that the part of the road he lived in was "Culturally Protected" Jim tells me that my feeble attempt to remember the official designation of the area which  should be "Conservation Area" . That word is far to similar to "Conservative" for me.  A bit posh and uppity in fact. Trust Jim. This meant amongst other things that lampost and other street furniture were of an appropriate period. It also meant that any any alteration to properties needed special permission.

As we walked round the town it was impossible not to feel (and see) the overwhelming middle class affluence of the area. Not long into our walk we found an excellent coffee spot.

We crossed the road to have coffees and a tea at the "BonBons " cafe

We sat outside in the warm morning sunshine. It was only as I went inside to order drinks that we found the cafe was packed. Mostly with white haired bus pass carrying couples.

Mike's keeping a close eye on that pigeon right above his head.

Coffees for three and a black "americano" for one.

One of the bus pass carriers came out to greet his old friend Mike just before we left.

Back across the road to the "Fleece Inn" which has a long history and briefly had another name. ( The Crown ?)

Although entitled a Coaching Inn there would also have been individual horsemen (and ladies) who would make use of a mounting block

This iconic (overused word) red brick building was built by a local clergy man, also a Rawstorne, to provide the villagers with fresh water. A year later the council installed a piped water system throughout the village. Oh dear,  a massive and costly case of lack of communications. It is now a private residence.

We came to the end of the High Street and followed "Church Lane"? to visit the Old Church, but more pertinently the Norman Motte which we had NOT  seen on previous visits.

From an information board..........

The Motte now is covered in brambles and bushes and can hardly be seen.

As we walked towards the church Jim pointed out the site of the ancient Priory which had been demolished and replaced by super desirable(and super expensive) residences (The word houses doesn't come near.)

John was some distance behind catching up as he had been examining an "Interesting" bush.

A memorial to Penworthams war dead. WHY ? there is a large well maintained memorial quite close by.

Below,    An information plaque we found as we walked. Well, Jim found it actually.

All that and "Value £3, " you can't get a coffe for that much now. 

Times have changed. I mean. let's be fair though, it was only a 1000 years ago.

The attractive entrance to the church grounds has echoes of more foreign cultures of older times.

..

The church has been here for a long time. You will notice a niche halfway up the tower. We speculated that the statue had been removed  in Cromwellian times by ardent puritans.

This is the tomb of John Horrocks of cotton industry fame, He was a great benefactor of the village, As Rich men should be. ( NO Politics please John)

More information posters......

As we walked round the graveyard we came across some interesting entombments. One to a lady buried with her dead child in her arms, 

Pathetically John W was amused by the grave of the "KEWSE" Family who were named on the headstone. He mused that all those buried there were now

EX-KEWSES. Bad taste methinks Whittle!

By now it was time for lunch. Jim had booked a table at No 15 Priory Lane it was very busy. Usually an indication of a good eatery, It Was.

Then back to Jim's and the car and home.

Much of this weeks material supplied by Jim .....so.....Thanks Jim for a very gentle and pleasant amble.

Hope to see you next week

There is a little uncertainty 😟

THE END

JW 

 

BLACKPOOL

 WIND & WAVES

Waverers :-  Danny, Mike, John ...... and Barbara (excellent)

Yes, we did waver a little. with high winds and a less than comfortable daily weather forecast "Perhaps a walk along Blackpool promonade might be less than enjoyable. " was the thought in our minds. We needn't have worried.

The sea was excitingly tumultuous and with the wind at our backs we "stumbled" along the prom.

But first we parked and sought out the "Solaris" cafe for a brew to set us up.

Don't search for your purse Barbara. The drinks are already paid for.

We left the cafe and crossed over to a ramp leading us to the side of the sea. The famous glitter ball was already a little behind us. If you search carefully  you might just be able to see the top of it to the right of Mike.

In the distance ahead of we could see the awesome "Big One" presently shut down because of the high winds. In John's world it is permanently shut down. The wired lines of lights, part of the "Illuminations" made the picture look busily complicated.

As we walked. sometimes a little awkwardly as the fierce wind buffeted us from behind, the rough sea continued to fascinate us.

At this point John suggested that he didn't like Blackpool because of the crowds. ................. WHAT CROWDS ?

Ahead of us was South pier seeming under renovation. Not surprising if it takes such a hammering at times from the unfriendly seas.

This redbox contained rescue equipment. we sincerely hoped we would not hear cries for "Help" as it was firmly locked with locks that looked rusted together.

By now we were approaching the very blue "Water Park" known as the "Sandcastle". Anywhere else I would consider it something of an eyesore but on the gaudy front that is Blackpool it seemed absolutely appropriate.

Coming out of the "Blue Wonder" you could see the water slides from the indoor pool. (Olyympic Size ?)

Along the front of the Sandcastle were trickling water features. Rather unnecessary in my opinion as taking  a few steps right or left, allowed a view of the Irish Sea. Rather a large water feature. Especially on a day like to day.

We puzzled about this until we realised it was advertising a ticket which allowed access to all the visitor attractions pictured on it.

BY GUM ! that's a strong wind. It's blown that house over..... NO IT HASN'T !

GUESS WHAT NEXT !

At this point it was beginning to rain (lightly) so we stepped inside the South pier.

WOW ! ............. Heaven or Hell.    Clue... There was a faint smell of SULPHUR and again a noticeable lack of clients.

We did not stay long in this exciting (excruciating) area (for some) but left to discuss our next move.

We had brought sandwiches and flasks in the forlorn hope of a sheltered spot to sit and watch the waves.   FORGET IT !  

It took us all of ten seconds to agree on lunch in Wetherspoons.

As I previously said it was to be a "Butty and Flask" day With a pleasant lunch by the seaside. Oh dear , not really feasible. So we ended up at the "Velvet Coaster" one of the Wetherspoons  wide flung group.

Apparently this chap is a "Non Smoker"😀

It was still raining as we left the "coaster" and after much discussion we all opted to ẁalk back to the car.

The sea was still battering the coast line but the rain had abated. Facing the strong (very strong) wind we tunnelled our way back to the car. 

 

Rather than drive straight home Mike took us on one of his by now "famous" guided  tours of his "Heimatland" - "La Patrie" - "Tierra Natal"

"Mamwlad" - "Hameland" (Dachaigh) - "Tir Dhuchaise" ..........HOMELAND 

or in Blackpuddian "WUR a lived"

p.s. In the same order, German, French, Spanish, Welsh, Scottish, Irish............... Blackpuddian.

THE END 

(Thank goodness)

JW