The Meanderthals

FLEETWOOD 6 Miles

Walkers:- Paddy, Danny, Harry, Anthony John W
Mick, Jim D, John R, Dave, Vic, Martin.
Lawrence (returnee) ( 12 ! )

With yet another rather complicated start (Martin and Lawrence delayed by traffic, and Mick going straight to "Freeport" ), we eventually left the car park and set off in bright winter sunshine to find the old Wyreside docking Quays.

Out of the "Freeport" car park and onto the busy road into Fleetwood almost immediately turning aside to find the quays.

This area, hidden behind industrial buildings was not exactly "pretty" although the tide-deserted mud did offer some powerful images.

The quayside itself though neglected and derelict still had the power to impress with it's massive stone blocks and rusting ironworks evidence of a more prosperous past.

As we drew near to the old Ferry Port a rather high ironwork bridge had to be climbed before we could continue,

Beyond this rather more modern structures reached out to the waterside but again there seemed little profitable activity going on and............ there was a rather amusing notice for those of us of the "Roman" persuasion.

An instruction which I'm sure we shall all obey implicitly.

At this point the path left the quayside to rejoin the main road. Just in front of us a small black cat was poised statue like staring into a patch of long grass. Suddenly it leaped high into the air, arching down into the grass, before emerging with a mouse in it's mouth and trotting off towards the houses.

As soon as we turned onto the road what should we discover ?

Here, close to the Knott End Ferry terminal is an especially interesting part of the Fleetwood Prom. Amongst other things there is a memorial to those who died in a Helicopter crash though in some ways more poignantly moving was the bronze statue of a woman and her children waving as her husband returns/departs on the perilous fishing trips out on the deep sea. A trip from which many never returned,

With the bright winter sun still blessing our progress we continued along the prom past the lighthouse and the rescue station before dropping down to follow the embankment past the Marine Hall.

A steady but gentle plod eventually brought us to the rather eccentric building used by the coastguard to watch the seas. Here lunch was taken as there was seating in the form of the sea wall and other objects. SURPRISE ! SURPRISE ! The return of Martin to the fold brought with it the return of lunchtime "Firewater" much appreciated on this chilly day.

It's falling down ! It isn't. Oh yes it is. IT ISN'T !!

It better not be. We are about climb up it.

As we lunched we were accosted by an environmental survey taker. She wished to know why we had visited Fleetwood. A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER 😯

"When did you last see your father ?"

On entering the building another enthusiastic lady asked if we wanted to go to the top. We accepted the invitation and she followed us up to point out the interesting things to be seen along the coast.

We stayed with the view for a few minutes before descending to continue our walk.

A rather short-sighted Paddy searches for Anthony.

The upstairs lady had pointed out several things. Notably the early lighthouses that adorned this stretch of the coast. One out to sea at the Wyre estuary and another at Rossall point.

Wooden stumps are the only reminders of the 18thC. Rossall Point Lighthouse. On the horizon can be seen the group awaiting the return of your intrepid writer who alone ventured out on the treacherous sands to get this photograph from such a perilous angle. ("Oh stop the false dramatics and get on with reporting the walk.")

Ahead of us large "Plant" vehicles and cranes could be seen

as work continued on the sea defences. This meant we had to leave the promenade and continue along a parallel Bridleway,

Beyond the bridleway we returned to civilisation and entered a built up area through which we passed before turning inland in search of the trams.

No sooner had we found a tram stop than a tram arrived

All Aboard ! Next stop the Pharos at the top of the town.

Now it only remained for us to walk back down the high street to "Freeport" and the cars. Our group, however, is always drawn, as if by magnets, into churches we pass. Here we are visiting St Mary's Church at the back of which is a delightfully simple but attractive and appropriate stained glass window.

We left the church and were soon back at the car park where "Walker of the Week" was awarded to Martin in acknowledgement of his most welcome return to action.

p.s.

A walk that in the planning looked rather ordinary, even boring, turned out to be a gently pleasant walk with more than enough interest along the way.

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