Caption Pic 29th Dec

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"Just watch what happens when I ignite these jet-packs!"
The "Power Stance" adopted by all the top Tory politicians...…….But Mike ???
"Where's my bike?"
Mike models the new range of clothing which will be in the shops
 in time for our 2019 Lancashire Summer season walks.
Beam him up NOW ! The new years model is coming.
"It's nearly midnight and He's STILL there "
Black Knight or Black Puddin' ? "
 "STILL  not  rescued!"

Rural Crime

Would you Adam and Eve it.
This is the bridge crossing over the River Rothay to the Loughrigg side of Grasmere Lake

Vandalism comes in many guises.

Grasmere, Thursday 27 December.
DK

"A Christmas Mystery."

One of John W's children bought him this book for Christmas. He cannot understand why .

CAN YOU ?

CHRISTMAS  CRACKERS !

I have this weird talent for being able to identify what's in a wrapped present ---- It's a gift.

Saw an ad today that said CD player  50p. Good condition. Volume stuck on Full. --- well, I couldn't turn it down.

Where do naughty rainbows go ?  ------ Prism !

What's the difference between a Hippo and a Zippo ?
One's really heavy the other's a little lighter.

Christmas Smile!

This should give you a smile as you're playing with your grand-child's Lego!

Cartoon from 'The Oldie' magazine.

"Why do Norwegian warships have a bar code on their sides ?

"They like to SCAN DE NAVY IN "

Return to the Spire!

Anthony and Michael (brother) took advantage of a guided tour up the steeple of St Walburge's church, Preston to view the city by night. We were shown the bell-ringing chamber and bell chamber.

The tours are continuing on the 29th Dec, 5th Jan and 12th Jan at 7:30pm and are followed by mulled wine and minced pies for a small donation to the church fund.

Looking east towards UCLAN - St Peter's church is just visible.

Looking north-east 
(PNE is just visible, right of centre on the horizon.)

Preston marina

The city centre and railway station

The bell (just recognisable)

Caption Pic 22nd Dec

"God rest you merry, Gentlemen(?)!!"
A lone voice crying in the wilderness ..."The B******s have left me !"
I joined a community choir and after only singing one song the made me the soloist ????  (er… think so anyway)
"......Yonder peasant, who is he? 
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Underneath the arches...on cobblestones he lay....*
"Oh come back luv,  I said canals and old buildings. I never mentioned Venice."
   "I wandered lonely as a ...........! Where the h*** are the daffodils?"

CHRISTMAS

THAT'S NOT A WALK !

WETHER = An emasculated male sheep.
SPOON   = An implement for eating with.

Woolly Creatures :- 

 Vic, Dave, John W, John R, Danny, Anthony, Martin, Mick K, Mike, Paddy. Jim C.

So, on the last Thursday of our walking year, we saw three (more actually)  wise men(?) riding from the East (and the North, West and South) all heading for this place.

Here we gathered to eat , drink and be merry (it's the alcohol you know !) 
Tales and reminiscences were exchanged as well as cards and other bits and pieces.

We had an enjoyable two or three hours before wishing each other Happy Christmas and good fortune in the coming year.

So ended our 2018 Meanderthal Year. Thank you for being with us and we hope you will stay into 2019. 

p.s  Woolly Mammoth JW was there but on the other side of the camera.

Hark the Herald Angel sings ...

" Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all"

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(1)  "He says he will help you over the 'Styles', Martin!" (AD)
"Last sort of stiles we need are nobby ones"! (MK)

(3)  "The SPECIAL ONE has gone!
United Players "Hung out to dry."

(2)   "Delighted to see you Father Christmas. 
Give us a hug!" (MG)
"Santa Claus new manager ? Fantastic ! What a Christmas gift."

Caption Pic - 15th Dec

"It's OK. We're used to singing to small audiences."
   "Yea, but we're not usually stood in the paddling pool!"
"No straw in the stable. Holy Family not there. Three scruffy old fellas as kings. This school nativity play is rubbish !" 
"There's no ox but there are three asses!"
"Scruffy ? We'll get changed before the big day,"
"What D'ya mean - Nativity Play ? This is the real thing, 
We've just arrived early. Bl---y good Sat, Nav,"  

More Photos, Sauntering Santas, Manchester.

Giz- a-Job.
Sauntering through the Lowry shopping Mall, we came across Santa's Grotto, Minus Santa. Martin thought he might fit the bill.

Out in the daylight, the promised sleigh having not turned up, we set off walking.

The modern, still developing face of Salford.

I think Sir Alex would have approved of our hats.

Martin serves us all with birthday cake, while Mike a Liverpool supporter keeps his head down. 

The Bridgewater Canal, the tow path of which we will follow into the heart of Manchester.

Some artistic Graffiti alongside the canal.

Arriving in the city centre we pay homage to the architects and engineers of the Victorian era.

The canal barges of old, were able to take shelter within the warehouses, to unload and load their vessels.

The old and the new. I refer to the bridges Paddy, not you.

The humble footbridge, dwarfed by the massive viaducts.

Exceptionally cheap afternoon tea on offer.

At harbour city metro station, waiting for our separated brethren,
John and Paddy, who missed boarding the tram in the city centre.
DK

MANCHESTER

SANTAS UNITED ?
  
Sauntering Santas :-  Anthony, Martin, Mike, Vic, Dave,
                                     John W,  James, Danny, Paddy.

The last walk of 2018 and the Santa hats come out for our annual " Sant Saunter ". 

After an untroubled drive to Salford Quays we parked in the Lowry Outlet Centre and proceeded to do our usual search for the "Facilities".

Then past the shops and out into the the super -modern surrounds of Salford Quays.

We crossed the dock  immediately in front of us pausing briefly to admire the ultra modern architecture all around.

Across the dock was a building entirely sheathed in mirrored plates.

From here a left turn took us along the quayside soon to turn right in search of Manchester United's "Old Trafford" ground.

Did you notice the question mark after the title ? "Santas United ?" There was a distinct lack of unity when talking about football. Each to his own of course.

We did,  however, stay long enough to view some of what was on offer and a set of good strong benches in the sun could not be ignored for coffee time.

A trio of United "Heroes"

A truck floating mysteriously inches above the ground.

As we sat Martin produced a wonderful "Multi-coloured" cake with which we could celebrate his birthday.  Happy Birthday Martin -- Last year +1.

We left the "Uncomfortable" (to one person at least) surrounds of MUFC  and dropped down to the canal.

 Where we found the seemingly, now, ignored, "Northern Powerhouse".  No not Vic. We always ignore him !!!

Looks like his ears are migrating across his forehead.

The day was, as forecast, decidedly chilly and canals are always cold to walk beside but we were all well wrapped and generally warm.

The reader will have noted that the group (or at least it's photographers) have a distinct penchant for taking "Bridge" photos. Here's some more.

If the reader will indulge me a little may I ponder a while on why we take bridge photos. The mundane reason being that it is where the whole group can gather and be photographed together.. But is there something more than that. Bridges seem to have a physical, social and even an emotional presence. They are immensely important to human activity. They oblige people to meet or part. They may have been the first things humans actually constructed. In wars they are to be defended or destroyed. They are often greatly admired the world over and play important roles in much of our literature. So much more can be said but I have bored you long enough so …….on with the blog.

           

We crossed over to the other side of the canal and headed to our oft used lunch spot at Castle Fields. On the opposite side of the canal was the Metro line which seemed to be being extended.

In the distance can be seen one of several new tower blocks under construction some of which will be taller than the now iconic "Beetham" tower - the Hilton Hotel.

" Have I mentioned Bridges ?"

It wasn't long before we arrived at the canal junctions that are at the centre of the Castlefields area. 

Here's Danny reading all about it - and guess what ? there's another bridge.

Which we crossed.

We settled in our usual spot which was sort of warmed by a weak sun and as always we had company as we dined. As an ornithological fan Anthony does not cut the mustard. He had strong words with the pigeons that came to say "hello".

Canada geese however are more persistent than pigeons.

Lunch over we set of towards the city centre but as we walked something caught our attention. What's that over that fence ?

Having been to Castlefields several times on our walks we must confess to never exploring the CASTLE FIELDS ! Well here they are. The reconstructed Roman remains that give the area it's name.

So there was the Castle and look what was in the field !

"Do these sheep look surprised to you ? "

Leaving our Roman friends behind we ambled on towards the City Centre passing as we did further animals. These looked dangerous indeed one is about to bite Vic's B - - !

We worked our way through the streets heading towards Beetham tower where we crossed over Deansgate before arriving at Cross St,

At Cross St a left turn and further ambling took us to the back of the Central Library and the Town Hall.

From here there was an irresistible view of some of Paddy's favourite architectural objects. These extremely handsome chimneys.

In between the stately grandeur of the Town Hall and the Library was a very modern passage "Link" 

through which we passed to arrive at the Town Hall Square and the Christmas Market.

On the other side we came across a musician who was playing his guitar as a cello. Very strange. 

We wandered on passing the Christmas Market and looking for St Anne's Square. Here John promised we could obtain coffees in the church. WRONG !  Only on Saturdays the verger told us. We circled the Market in this square and were accosted by a lady who insisted on having her photo taken with this bunch of Santa Hatted Loonies. 

Back now past the town hall and through the larger Christmas Market. Here Anthony pointed out that the narrow entrances were actually security points like those in airports. and would detect any dangerous objects being taken in. Very reassuring after the recent Strasbourg attack.

We now retraced our steps looking for John Dalton St nearby which was the "Hidden Gem"  a church Anthony said we had visited before. "Really ?" said forgetful John.    Yes Really.  

It was "Hidden" and we had to pass through a narrow ginnel called "Mulberry Passage" to find it. 

Dave emerged fro Mulberry Passage and generously offers us his blessing.  Gee thanks Dave.

The hidden Gem is at the moment not quite so hidden as the buildings in front of it have been demolished.

Back now past the Town Hall to the Metro stop. Here we endured the embarrassment of Three Headteachers, an Educational Adviser, An Accountant, a Pharmacist, a highly qualified Electrician. A highly qualified Engineer and a company director all completely baffled by the ticket machine. Oh dear me !

Perhaps theses buttons might have proved useful.

So confused were we that two of us got left behind. The air, already cold,  Turned BLUE !!

All together again and back at Media city were a menacing presence greeted us.

But as we walked back to the car park a more friendly body waved us on our way.

"Gainsborough ?"  I think not.  Back into the car park and more tussling with ticket machines but eventually we set of through the busy commuter traffic to arrive safely back in Fulwood as the night closed in around us.

THE END