A New Year Caption pic

  You can wish it 'Happy New Year', Martin
but it won't answer you back!
On our meander to Sodom and Gomorrah, Vic looked back.

"Where's his head gone?"
Martin :-  "Talk to us Vic !"

BLAST FROM THE PAST or "BLAST the PAST" (if you prefer)

HALF A CENTURY AGO !

Well a little more than half a century actually.

As 2017 fades to an end and the new year is about to begin I thought we might take a little look into the past. A past in which several of us were bare-kneed Boy Scouts. 

  

Here we see Martin and a friend (Len) reading a map preparatory to getting lost. A skill we still use today. 

The 16th Preston (Catholic College) Scouts met every Friday evening in the Scout Hut on Strand Road. At that time a TV series "The Churchill Years" held us all in thrall. Anthony sits watching in the middle of a bunch of friends. Notice the hairstyle of the boy front right ?  Bang up to date today !!!

On the last day of scout camps there was often a "Jam Butty" eating contest to use up the spare bread. If I remember correctly. Hugh (Paddy's Brother), on the left of the photo, used to win it. On the right of the photo is Peter who now runs "Gift 92" John W, not yet bearded was P.L. of this, the "Kingfisher " patrol.

Tony N.  our annual visitor from Spain was also in the scouts and I think is taking a drink at the summit of Parlick Pike.

Can't remember what the occasion was but J.W. appears to be escorting the Papal Flag with Brian D and David S. outside St Joseph's church.

p.s. Anyone else got old photos they might like to share on the blog ? Let us know.  Don't worry if they are embarrassing. That would make them even better.  

p.p.s If you do wish to send a photo, a witty line for the caption picture or anything else you would like to contribute to the blog you can always email myself (guitar2pluck@yahoo.co.uk) or Anthony (email address in the blog) or Danny who's email address you can obtain.

A Christmas Caption pic

They didn't tell me I needed SNOW for that sleigh!
No wonder Rudolph's done a runner!
At ower age it's allus good t'ave yer name printed on yer forrid.
Thinks !...... Is Rudolph too old ?  Do I need to buy a Satnav.
I'm redundant! Amazon have done all the deliveries!
"Still more to do an' I'm ready fer 'ome!"

This week's Walk...??

The Bus-stop to Wetherspoons

(and back!)

A natter and a noggin in Wetherspoons 

to celebrate Martin's 70th birthday

The Birthday Boy (left)

"Who's been eating MY scampi?"

Christmas Cheer

Christmas is on us again mi mates
An a wish ya'all good cheer
An thinkin on year that's gone, an walks wiv had together
I hopes ya've enjoyed em as much as I av
An ya'll all come agen next year.

Bless ya'all

WHO or WHAT ?

Who or What are the Meanderthals ?

"The Meanderthals" came into being about 14 years ago when the first of it's members took early retirement and decided some form of activity was required to fend off the dangers of becoming a "Couch Potato". Over the years our numbers have increased as others reached retirement age. Our youngest walker is around 60 and our oldest walker is 82. Most live in the Preston area but we have those who join us from Penwortham and one who travels each week from Blackpool AND an annual visitor from SPAIN Our meanderings take us all over Lancashire and even into foreign parts. (Yorkshire and Cumbria) A typical meander is between 6 and 10 miles. Further than that is considered "Buzz Lightyear" territory,

"Meanderthal" is a real word (we are told) meaning "One who wanders aimlessly"   Very apt. 

But what do the members do when not meandering ? Well, officially NOTHING. They are all retired. They will, however, tell you that like most retired persons they are so busy they can't imagine how they ever had time to do REAL work. Various forms of hobbies, charity work, and grandchildren combine to fill their days completely.

What about BEFORE they were retired ? They had a real assortment of trades and professions. We count within our number the following :-

Retired--

       Headteacher

       Electrician

       Company Director

       Headteacher (again)

       Heating Engineer

       Politician/Entrepreneur 
       Chartered Engineer

       Headteacher (What ! another !)

       Fireman 

       Chief Executive Officer

       Headteacher (Oh No ! not another one)

       Pharmacist

       Accountant

       Educational Adviser 

On perusing the above list you might find it surprising that such an august body manages to get lost on every walk and spends most of the day talking complete twaddle. If you met them, however, you wouldn't be in the least surprised at such a revelation. To misquote an old song "The old grey cells they ain't what they used to be."

So......... The Meanderthals are a superfit group of highly intelligent and motivated athletes who know exactly what should be done to solve the problems besetting the country and the world........... and if you believe that !!!!!!

p.s. I have just had a communication from our octogenarian . He is in high dudgeon that we should suggest he is 82.  HE IS NOT................. he's 83   So there.

..........and we don't always walk !

       

                                               

 

A Christmas Caption Pic

"What's this 'Christmas' thing they're all talking about?"
"Y'ull find out soon enough, bruv!"
"Gobble Gobble."........ I wouldn't say that if I were you.
"Christmas is coming the geese are getting fat "
but I'm leaving now. Not waiting for that.

"I'm in disguise, I'm really a vulture!"
Oh no ! Not a "Culture Vulture" !

"Culture? Wi' you lot? No chance of a killing then!"

 GET STUFFED!

More Liverpool Photos

Inside the Victoria Gallery and Museum

One of our party described this cathedral as muscular,
An apt description I think.

A Higgs Boson Mock Up in the VG&M

The three wise men waiting in the wings at The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King

The entrance way from the docks to Liverpool 1

LIVERPOOL

SANTA SAUNTER 6 Miles

WALKERS :-  John W. Vic, David, Anthony, Mike, Danny.

Just six walkers on our annual "Santa Saunter". Parking was unusually easy as we arrived at Old Roan so we were very soon on the platform waiting for the train to take us to Liverpool Central. 

 Sorry dear reader to give you such an image so soon in the report.

The train soon deposited us on the platform of Liverpool Central and the escalator whisked us up to the ........toilets.

 " Oh Liverpool Loo,  lovely Liverpool Loo.

Why don't  you behave.............................." 

The words of this old song constantly drifted into the mind ... and yes dear reader I am aware that the words have been altered somewhat but a "Liverpool Loo" is a much more welcome sight to an ageing Meanderthal than a "Liverpool Lou".

Out of the station and off through the bustling streets..

  Bustling ???

........ towards our first target St. George's Hall.

 Unfortunately, once again, the hall itself was closed and we had to make do with the viewing gallery,

 We left the magnificence of the hall 

 After visiting the cafe.

...and made our way through the university campus area.

 

heading for our next intended target, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King  ( "Paddy's Wigwam" seen in the picture.) but the guide in St George's Hall had recommended the building which had been the first one in the development of the university. It did not disappoint us.

Victoria Building. A fabulous interior and a small but fascinating museum.

 From the old...

... to the very old (Dinosaur footprint not Danny).

...to the very new - an image of the the Higgs Boson Particle (?) The guide explained all about it but your writer hadn't a clue what she was talking about  and is not sure that she did either.

From here it was only a short distance to  the Catholic Cathedral where Scarisbrick School choir   (several choirs actually) were rehearsing for an afternoon concert/service.

I can see the conductor but where's the choir .  

Behind the altar

 We enjoyed looking at the knitted crib. 

Taking them at their word Mike chose to play with an ass .... oops!  should'na said that.

Down the Cathedral's splendid steps which allowed a wonderful view along Hope St. to our next destination. The Anglican Cathedral.  BUT.... it was well past our lunch time so a visit to the Cathedral Cafe where we ordered our usual soup accompanied as always by a large, crusty chunk  of fresh bread. Washed down by a "brew".

Along Hope St. passing in front of the Liverpool Philharmonic 

 and quickly arriving at the massively imposing Anglican Cathedral.

Our visit to this incredible Cathedral was quite short as we have been several times before, and indeed the guide recognised us immediately.

Out of the Cathedral and into the increasingly cold wind blowing up from the Mersey. The road down to the docks was difficult to see as the bright winter sun was directly in our face. 
A left turn took us down through China Town where our group held hands to mimic a recent episode involving Danny (See caption pic. from a few weeks ago)

Further along the road was more evidence of the Chinese community in this area.

....and so downhill till we arrived on the banks of the Mersey passing as we did some buildings which were just as magnificent  in their modernity as their more ancient neighbours. 

On the end of this building it says "Wapping Quay", Well, Can't argue with that !

 A brief stay on "Mersey side" where to John's surprise the tide was OUT !

 ...and we were "Dazzled" by the ferry crossing the river.

We then cut through the deliciously warm foyer of the "Holiday Inn" before arriving at Albert Dock.

Once again "Coffee Time" was upon us. Here we see a rather smug Dave downing his super hot and extra-filled Hot Chocolate.

  





























Leaving the cafe behind a right turn took us along another quayside and towards the shopping area known as "Liverpool 1"

As we walked the Liver Building sat proudly on the horizon 
 

showing everyone that it could no longer tell the time (Timentia ???) as its aged hands were away in Cumbria being refurbished.

By now it was becoming steadily darker and after being a dry day it now began to rain.

Across the busy main road and into the glittering "Liverpool 1" precinct.

And so back to the station and the train to Old Roan where the cars were parked. Not for the first time however we LOST VIC !  He had managed to wander off in the wrong direction and this made for an anxious several minutes searching for him. My colleagues comments are not printable !!!
 The journey home was "Adventurous" to begin with and then quite tedious as we laboured through heavy motorway traffic and blinding spray.

Home at last after a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting day only partially reported in this writing. 

THE END

Some unused photos :-

Throughout our day we were met by effusively helpful people giving credence to the oft said "Liverpool's a friendly city."

 The guide in St Georges Hall

 The guide in the university building

The Guide in the Anglican Cathedral

A garrulous Granny on the street 

 Dave was also very good. Here we see him wearing multiple halos.

And a final picture of Vic....... No ! We've lost 'im again.