Getting Old.

I have just read a really lovely poem about getting old. A poem which I thought might be appropriate for us old fellas'

It's called 

"WalkWith Me As I Grow Old"

Just thought I ought to share it with you.  

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Botheration ! I've forgotten the words !

 

It's a MIKE BIKE HIKE !

LANCASTER (by Bike) 14+ Miles

RIDERS :- Mike, Anthony, John W, Jim C.

Sadly only four of "The Lads" were available for this week ride. "We few. We precious few" whom Mike has dubbed "Trikercerotops" ( 'ang on. When was the wheel invented ?)

The early morning news had warned us of problems on the M6  so we took the longer route along the A6 which was fine until we reached Lancaster where it seemed traffic coming off the motorway had contributed to a snarl up through the city. Consequently, coffee time, (I know you are all interested in this !) had already arrived by the time we were parking up on the quayside in Lancaster. 

 We soon had the 'bikes off the racks, assembled and ready to go. 

We crossed to the river embankment and pedalled off back towards the centre of Lancaster and the Millennium Bridge. Over the bridge and onto the cycle track which followed the path of an old railway line. It was a grey day but so far dry and the going was easy as we gently pushed forward towards the coast. Half way there we were reminded of the railway connection as we crossed a "live" track.

 On we pedalled  and it was not long before we arrived at the busy junction close to the famous "Midland Hotel" where, naturally, after following an old railway track, we emerged next to an old Railway Station.

  A little careful negotiation saw us across this busy section of the highway and rounding the "Art Deco" hotel. John, at least, was disappointed to discover that the cafe on the "Stone Jetty" was closed. Anthony could afford a supercilious smile as he had already told us this was the case. 

There in the distance  -  a sad little "closed" cafe

 "Never mind" advised Mike  "There's a great, little cafe at Hest Bank.  (Is that sentence tautological ?)

We continued along the delightful sea front and for once did not stop to pay our respects to "Eric"  Your writer, at least, continued the journey expecting a bolt of vengeful lightning at any moment. As we cycled we were accompanied on our left by the magnificent view across Morecambe Bay to the distant Lake District.

Just after passing "Bare" ( careful how you interpret that.) we crossed the road and climbed a shallow but lengthy rise (Puff ! Puff ! Pant ! Pant !) to the canal. I think Mike had been recently playing "Monopoly" as it was a case of "Do Not Go Directly to Cafe" but climb a hill, follow a tortuous route to the canal and then drop down again.  mmmmm ?   AND THEN   dear reader, your writer was denied a delicious "Hot Chocolate" drink and was dragged kicking and screaming away from the cafe and forced to sit on a hard park bench  "Aah !" I hear you say....  (don't I ?)

.......here are mugshots of the villainous trio.

Do you recognise any of them ?..................................... 

After a leisurely and pleasant lunch it was back to the Monopoly Game as we now had to go "Direct to Jail" well the canal anyway, IT WAS UPHILL !! we walked. 

All, that is, except one rather smug individual whose "ELECTRIC" bike purred it's way up the hill.  

By now the theory of evolution showed it's hand as onetime Meanderthals were rapidly evolving into examples of that ancient beast the "MEGASOREARSE" . The delightful, wide, clear but bumpy canal side path was not helpful.

 For the second walk running an ill-fated boat drew our attention.

It wasn't long before we were approaching Lancaster but before then TWO significant  landmarks were to be passed.

First we arrived at what must surely be a historic construction, The first "NEW" canal bridge for possibly 200 years.  It is taking the motorway extension from the M6 to Heysham.

Not long after we arrived at a somewhat different historic construction, the impressive aqueduct which carries the canal high over the Lune.

Over the aqueduct and down the steep staircase down to the river. No ! No ! No ! don't go that way - a couple of hundred yards further along a sloping path (with safety barriers) gave us a much more comfortable descent. Once down to river level a final rest before continuing on our last stretch to the cars.

By now the rain, although not heavy, was decidedly persistent . We sought shelter under the bridge where we finished off flasks and had a "Go" on Anthony's Marvellous Mechanical Machine (electric bike)  MOST IMPRESSIVE ! 

And so to our final section . Almost home but not before negotiating the tricky underpass on the way to the Millennium Bridge.  Some of us got off and walked through it.  Back across the Millennium Bridge and along the quayside and there were the cars.  A "Smashing Little" ride and one of which our friend Noel Coward would have approved.

Well Done Mike.  

A few unused photos.

 What now Gnome ?

 Follow the Cat ?

The Problem with Martin's Knee

Regular readers of this blog will know that Martin hasn't walked with us for some time because of a problem with his knee.

Following an MRI scan, this is what the problem is....

Well! We knew it was that all along! Didn't we?

"PREMONSTRATENSIAN"

COCKERSANDS ABBEY 7 Miles

Walkers:- Mike. Harry, Martin, John R
                 Anthony, Frank, John W. 

When asked what he thought of Norfolk, Noel Coward is alleged to have said "Very flet Norfolk."  (I think he meant "flat" but as an native of the South who never appreciated the value of wearing a "Flet Kep" he obviously couldn't pronounce his words properly.) I wonder what he would have said about today's walk which beat Norfolk hands down in terms of it's "Fletness". 

"OWERSHEEPAVNOROADSENSE" a warning written on a farm gate marked the starting point of our walk.

 With the welcome return of Martin to our number we set off in cool, breezy conditions and were soon strolling along the "levee" above Cockerham marsh.

 With sheep to the right of us and sheep to the left of us John R (Shepherd) engaged them in conversation. I am not sure his linguistic skills went beyond "Baa Baa" but he tried .

As we walked, to our left we overlooked the verdant mosaic of the marsh.  Criss-crossed and incised by deep and at times dangerous gullies. Similarly to our right was a mosaic but a more regular one of numerous caravans in serried ranks.

 Have we tackled a hill Yet ?

The path stuck doggedly to the tide line although the sea itself  was some distance away. On all of our recent inland walks the delight of burgeoning wildflowers drew our admiring attention, Here, too, on the salt saturated coastline, there was no lack of attractive blooms.

May Blossom (Hawthorn)

11 o'clock (coffee time) and as we reached the next headland  Cockersands Abbey appeared on the near horizon and it wasn't long before we left the immediate shoreline and walked the short distance to the few remaining traces of this ancient abbey. 

 There was very little shelter from the slight but non-the-less chilly breeze so we sat in the shelter of the "Chapter House" to take our coffee break.

 Coffee break behind us we returned to the edge of the shore where the path continued towards a final headland before veering to the right to follow the estuary of the Lune as it flowed down from Lancaster and past Glasson Dock our next target. The headland was even more exposed and offered views of Sunderland point across the water as well as the estuary's lighthouse, the nuclear power station at Heysham, the distant fells, the wind turbines inland and a fast-travelling ferry boat arriving from the Isle of Man.

 Have we tackled a hill yet ?

Soon the narrow path was to be replaced by a metalled road  which took us past the lighthouse cottage where a signpost warned us about quicksands.

 Weirdly the evening news on the television when we got home reported the rescue of a teenage girl trapped up to her waist in the mud only a short distance further up the coast. 

And so on to a farm where the road ended and turned us back onto paths leading inland through the fields ....but first some interesting artifacts.

 Buoy or Bomb (mine) ?

Today's "Anchor" man.

Once away from the coast there was still no rising ground before us as we followed the flat path towards yet another caravan park, 

 No hills but a short dip down to a pond.

Past the caravan park and back on the public highway. The road rose temporarily and then dropped steeply down into Glasson Dock.      A Hill ? Well hardly.

Lunchtime........ and a good spot to have it.

 Our leisurely lunch was brought to an end by the hint of rain which told us to pack our rucksacks and move on.

We had been sitting overlooking the sea dock and we now crossed the canal locks and followed the bank of the freshwater marina where a TV "star" in the shape of a sunken wreck lay alongside.

Past the marina and along the canal until we reach the next road. Here we tackled our first "Hill" ..... a hump-backed bridge actually.... but  a steep one !!!

Back on a road the rain began to more than hint it became well defined to the extent that waterproofs if not already in use were quickly donned.

About a mile down the road we again took to the fields where  the long grass left those of us who had not chosen to wear boots rapidly getting wet feet. The fields eventually devolved into a farm track which itself gave out onto the highway just fifty yards from our parked cars. 

Martin Back = Shandy Back . Hurrah ! Martin being the more important returnee of course. Well done also to Martin for his brave return, And..... he brought his poorly leg with him.

PREMONSTRATENSIAN  Refers to an order of monks formed in Premontre in Northern France in 1120AD by St Norbert and known as Norbertines but more commonly in England as the "White Canons". A "Canon" apparently means a priest who follows an order or discipline, The Augustinians for example follow the order or rules set down by St Augustine. So did the Norbertines.  We have NO canons in our group as non of them are ordained and there is absolutely no order amongst them at all. 

 More Photos:-

Goldfinch feeding on Dandelion seed.

 A large flock of Oyster Catchers

Cow Parsley ?

Watch out Martin there's a large Poo....l   behind you.

THE THREE "B's"

BROCK to BLEASDALE  8.5 Miles

Walkers :- Jim D, Jim C, Frank, Mike, 
                  Danny, Anthony, John W.

Arriving at the car park at "Brock Mill" we were surprised to find it nearly full and quite a number of other walkers preparing to set off.  
It was not long before we too were prepared and setting off to follow the course of the river Brock as it flowed down from the distant fells.

A blue cloudless sky and a warm sun left dappled patterns all around us as we followed the river upstream through the bluebell decorated woods. 
For the first mile or so our steps were dogged by a large group of walkers from Ormskirk.

It was not long before our "Cool" laid-back walking style (AKA a slow amble) allowed the other super keen group to pass us and disappear over the horizon. We stepped aside to let them pass and it was at this point our path first departed from the river.

Which Way Now ?

A steep climb up a wet and stony path led us away from the river and towards "Waddecar Scout Camp" where many of our group (absentees as well) spent part of our formative years as "Boy Scouts" and subsequently as leaders and parents of Scouts and of course Girl Scouts when the organisation embraced them.

 From a small wooden hut, isolated in a large field, this "Activity centre has grown to become a large complex serving thousands of young people each year.

"What about coffee time ?" I hear you ask. Patience reader it's coming. 

One of the most powerful magnets on any walk is "WATER" and especially at break times when we seek it's magic. (the soothing sound of moving water helps the digestion you know ????)    So, back to the river.  To get back to the waterside we were assisted by a moving staircase.   Well, there was a "staircase" but we had to do the moving.

 And here we are, as promised, taking our coffee break.   It was a sort of "Internet Cafe".  We simply had to "LOG ON" !

                         I know. I know. A dreadful joke.......

The sun continued to bless our walk as we carried on through sublime, flower bedecked countryside.   But first  we had to cross a bridge over a tributary river.  

 and then , like a packed football terrace, serried ranks of broom "cheered" us as we passed.

 Once again we left the river behind and climbed slowly upwards past Bleasdale Primary School and on to St Eadmer's church (the only church in the country dedicated to this saint) and here we sat in the sunshine to have lunch.

Who's this then?

Oh ! It's you two.

   and more ......








Lunch over and off we set down hill now as we retraced our steps passing the primary school and heading towards the tiny hamlet which had once provided the districts only Post Office.....but ...... PAUSE......REWIND...
Frank had left his stick leaning against the church door and left us to retrieve it.  We waited patiently which was no hardship on this sunny day with delightful scenery all around us. A few minutes later Frank rejoined us and we resumed our walk.  We were quickly past the aforesaid hamlet and now followed a metalled road for the first time on this walk.  John W stopped to pose with some tiny acquaintances. (By humorous request it must be said)

We soon left the road and took to the fields once more now plodding upwards towards the wooded slopes of Beacon fell.   As we followed the field upwards we also paused to turn and look back to where an awesome panorama spread across the horizon.

Fairsnape                                Parlick
(That's the hills not the two gentlemen)

As we walked onward we passed through a decidedly down at heel farmyard. the whole area looked uncared for

and was littered with rusting, vintage tractors. (Nuffields and BMC's).   It seemed such a shame that these powerful old beasts had been left to simply rot away. They would certainly be much loved by the tractor enthusiasts.

By now we were all hot, sweaty and decidedly ...tiring.  The cool shade of the woods did at least cure the first two.   

Whilst our day was nearly at an end there were still sights to see and incidents to enjoy.    Here we stop for a small.. nay monstrous rest.

We soon topped the hill and dropped down along a pine scented path before bursting out into the sunshine quite close to the Country Parks Visitor Centre.  They served coffee, tea and all manner of  beverages.   What did we chose ?

This is what we chose. Thanks Jim D for these.

All we had to do now was to drop steeply down the side of Beacon Fell.

 Then to join the road from Inglewhite where we turned right and shortly afterwards turned left down White Lea Rd which led us back to the car park. 

Once again an excellent walk filled with sunshine and interest.

Three "B's" of the title ? I'm sure you can guess. 
Brock. Bleasdale and Beacon

Unused photos.

Are we lost again Danny ?

Boldy Wold ?

Some gnarled and ancient limbs.

Almost home .

More mysterious wildflowers.....What could they be ?

Answers on a postcard please.