WALKERS :- John W, Anthony, Vic, Jim C, James
Martin, Mike, Harry, Dave, Danny.
"What a Grey Day" indeed. No, we were not accompanied by the ghost of Larry Grayson but in words taken from the song by the "Animals" "We Gotta Get Outta This Place"....."The Sun Refused to Shine". So here we are setting off from a rather colourless car park in Haslam Park.
Once again our path was "puddled" as we made our way to the other end of the park.
Here we see Danny turning to capture the sunny smiles on the faces of our ever optimistic band. (Oh Yeah ?)
We left the park and turned right to follow the stickily , muddy track towards the start of the "Ribble Link". On our right we were joined by Savick Brook which would soon become the "Link" itself. On our left was a distastefully "Grotty" ditch which offered plenty of seating for passers-by. We declined the invitation
Unfortunately, throughout or walk, litter and rubbish were ever present.
After passing by this quite disgusting mess we arrived at a steep incline rising to a surprisingly charming bridge from which we could take in a view diametrically opposed to the ones we had just witnessed.
We did not cross the bridge but took a left turn to follow the Lancaster Canal for a very short distance to the start of the "Link"
The path quickly rose away from the canal and arrived at the large holding basin at the head of the very deep locks.
When the locks were first opened a large wooden sculpture stood by their side. Sadly this quickly became rotten and vandalised and a new, rather good and more durable work of art has taken it's place.
In this photo the sun is doing it's best to come out.
Unfortunately "its best" simply wasn't good enough.
We now left the locks and crossed the road (Tom Benson Way) and made our way under a bridge to join the Guild Wheel which was at this point following the brook/canal.
The sculpture at the locks, according to our canal aficionado, Anthony, shows the tools which were used in the past to construct the canals. Only a little further along the Link we saw how the canal workers tools are now dramatically different.
The vessels being lowered into the canal were tasked with dredging the canal. Because this section of the canal is also a river (?) it can become clogged with silt and other detritus. Just a little further on the team who were overlooking the work were ready to advise and then launch their boat to check on the success or otherwise of the dredging.
The Guild Wheel took us past the Preston North End training pitches and also past a curious stone sculpture which caused us to think before realising it was a DUCK --- Really !
The vessels being lowered into the canal were tasked with dredging the canal. Because this section of the canal is also a river (?) it can become clogged with silt and other detritus. Just a little further on the team who were overlooking the work were ready to advise and then launch their boat to check on the success or otherwise of the dredging.
DUCK ???
Coffee Time ! Although some of us carry seats and we all carry "Pads" finding somewhere with seating is always a bonus. No seats here but "Seating" was available.
Coffee time and the dispensing of "Martin's Marvellous Medicine".
To find a suitable resting place we had walked beyond our turning point so after packing our flasks away we retraced our steps to a footbridge and headed North across the Ashton and Lea Golf Course. This proved to be a very soggy trudge until we arrived at Darkinson Lane.
Crossing the golf course
Leaving the golf course and entering the farmland which became REALLY soggy.
Just to prove we really were on farmland !
We now followed Darkinson Lane for about three quarters of a mile, crossing as we did, the Preston to Blackpool rail line sporting its new stanchions ready for electrification. Soon after passing the railway we arrived once again at the canal. Although it wasn't long since we had been drinking our coffee we now looked for a lunch spot. As we joined the canal we read a rather unusual warning notice . Here it is .
A "Timewarp" would not be an appropriate term but because we had come such a short distance before starting our walk our timings were definitely not in their usual places. We were already looking for a lunch spot.
Such a place proved quite elusive and we finally opted for the shelter of a bridge.
What is Harry doing ? Hide and seek perhaps. ...99..a hundred. "Coming ready or not."
He'll soon find you there Martin.
As we sat eating lunch the view across the canal was almost poetic. Apart, that is, from the fact that it was a view of rubbish.
After lunch we set off again on the last lap of our walk.
On the opposite side of the canal was one of the many areas of new build going on all around Preston. Whilst we cannot but applaud the building of desperately needed houses it still saddens to see more and more of our countryside disappearing. It doesn't help, either, when the houses are as decidedly "Unpretty" as this dismal specimen.
Before we finished our walk the "Kink" in our timings emerged again as we arrived at the UCLAN sports centre whose café featured in a previous outing. One a particularly interesting but truncated cycle ride.
Even though it was well before the time we usually stop for a final coffee/tea break we just had to stop and have a drink .
Our companion Paddy was away on the snows of Europe skiing but we were reminded of him.
Then just a little further along the canal before dropping down through the park and arriving back at the cars.
.......... and so to home.
In spite of the grey, gloomy, damp walking conditions I shall leave you with one final thought garnered as we sat in the café.
In spite of the grey, gloomy, damp walking conditions I shall leave you with one final thought garnered as we sat in the café.
THE END
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