Walkers :- Danny, Harry, Paddy, Mick, Mike
Anthony, John W, Vic, Jim D,
Frank and............. John R. (?)
On a grey but dry day with occasional glimpses of blue sky peeping between the tattered clouds we set off from Grimsargh and were soon tramping merrily along Elston Lane to where the "Ribble Way" came up from the river before turning away in the Ribchester direction.
Soon after passing the footpath sign telling us where the "Ribble Way" was to be followed we came across a "Temporary" notice attached to a post.
This rather unusual notice left us a little puzzled and perhaps a little wary as to the decisions we needed to take. The decision was "Plough On"
A few hundred metres further on we did come across a problem on the road. A working party from an Electricity Company were preparing to "Prune " a number of trees to keep them clear of power lines.
Soon after, we left the road to cross the fields and tackle the tiny but daunting "Tun Brook" Valley. This steep sided little valley was cutting it's way through a wood reputedly 3000 years old and was steep, slippery and difficult.
The bridge had been barred but was obviously still being crossed. So we "Chanced" it.
The path beyond the bridge could almost be described as "dangerous" and we tackled it with great caution.
At the top of the far bank we briefly gathered and waited for those still negotiating it.
The "Ribble Way" here took a left turn to follow the top of Boilton wood as it curved round the almost precipitous banks of "Horse Shoe Bend" the local name for Red Scar.
We now lost a path and walked across two or three fields before coming back to it, but not before stumbling across the famous "Danny Poppins"
Chim Chimmeny Cheers Danny
for being a good sport.
By now the weak winter sun lent a certain magic to the woodland through which we were walking,
As we passed behind the Crematorium the more substantial pathway of the "Guild Wheel" joined us from the right hand side.
The path now took a "Nose-Dive" down through the wood and a delight awaited us at the bottom. John R had set off from Penwortham and followed the Guild Wheel in the opposite direction ...... and here he was.
He's there ! Can you see him ?
We were by now well past our normal coffee break time and approaching lunchtime. Within the grounds of "Brockholes Nature Reserve" seating was available so we settled for an early lunch break.
We couldn't pass by "Brockholes " without visiting the famous floating village (and there were toilets too !!!)
Back on solid ground and continuing along the Guild Wheel under the motorway
and under the A59. We were now closely following the banks of the River Ribble. Detritus in the hedge rows gave evidence of the height to which the river rose at times of flood. Not entirely sure that the golf trolley was evidence of a golfer escaping a flood but he (or she) certainly seemed to have had a serious "Handicap" .
It had been a surprisingly quiet day with few cyclists and joggers and down by the river the occasional angler,
As we discovered last week walking some distance on hard surfaced paths can be rather unforgiving on the knees. A periodic rest stop is very welcome.
Soon after this point the Guild Wheel departs from the Ribble Way which continues to closely follow the river bank. The "Wheel" takes a short cut to London road bridge which is officially the high tide mark. (I think Harry disagrees with this). Over the busy dual-carriageway of the A6 and onto the riverside road. "The Boulevarde".
As we walked along this stretch of the river past the confluence of the Rivers Ribble and Darwen, Harry, our walking encyclopedia informed us that John Milton one of England's greatest poets mentioned the River Darwen in one of his Sonnets. Indeed he did. In his Sonnet XVI there is the line "While Darwen stream with blood of Scots imbrued" ( imbrued = soaked in blood) Well done Harry.
Because at least one of the party was anxious to complete a task started earlier in the day the pace of the group differed and we had become spread out. No problem, however, as we had arranged to meet once again at the Avenham Park cafe. Here another generous benefactor bought teas, coffees and other requested beverages. THANK YOU !
Refreshed, we climbed the hill out of the park, passing the Japanese Garden and the monument to Britain's first Mormon Missionaries who were reputedly baptised in the Ribble.
We were now in the centre of Preston but our walk was not quite over. As we crossed the wonderfully refurbished "Winckley Square" we were lucky to come across a young Lady and a gentlemen who had played a key role in the work and were more than happy to tell us all about it.
They explained some of the problems they had encountered and told us about the solutions. Their work was both applauded and admired by the group.
The evidence was all around us.
The dark bar lines bear the names of prominent citizens past and present who contributed to this square and other parts of the city.
"Don't climb it John ! it won't bear the weight."
They had even given "Bobbie" a cosmetic face makeover. (Sir Robert Peel. Baronet)
With cars parked in the outer suburbs we all split as we walked along Fishergate to seek different buses to take us home.
Mick looks tired or is he thinking " B****R ! I'm the only one without a bus pass. " ........ "Hard Luck Kiddo!"
By now the writer's knees were telling him that the walk was longer than planned. They were right !
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