LANCASTER

NOW YOU SEE 'EM.... 5 Miles

WALKERS :- Mike. John R. Vic, Anthony, Dave,

                     Martin, Danny, Harry, Jim C,

                     James, John R and MICK(New Boy)

Our journeys at the moment seem beset with obstacles. A problem had blocked the M6 and so we set off merrily along the A6. Merrily that is until we approached Garstang where the traffic that had left the motorway began to clog up the approaches to Lancaster. With three cars in convoy we were fortunate in that great minds think alike (fools seldom differ !) and we each took the independent decision to leave the A6 and detour through Cockerham. -  Success !  We were soon parked up close to Nazareth House and on our way.

Here we are striding out with the cars parked on the street in the background.

A right turn at the end of this road and past Nazareth House and we arrived at the start of the footpath leading towards the canal.

Anthony strives manfully to get us on the move after our delayed start. A difficult task indeed.

The path led steeply up for a short while allowing us a glimpse of the distant Castle and priory complex,  our first major target.

Then it dropped steeply down to join the canal.

After our delayed start we were soon looking for a coffee spot and we found one in the form of a small triangle of land obviously looked after by a "Friends Of"  group.

As we left the triangle we paid our respects to a wise old owl. You decide which one.

We now followed the canal towards the centre of Lancaster.

It wasn't long before left the canal and joined the busy streets in the centre of Lancaster. Just a few minutes walk brought us to one of Lancaster's unheralded historic gems, This little yard of almshouses complete with their own chapel.

Dave looks pleased to be coming in !

Religious freedom was not on the cards in 1720 as the occupants were obliged to attend chapel if they wished to be fed. They were also warned that life might be short.

Our group were all well fed and had watches - No problem then !

..... and even if we did have problems this notice in a bookshop window was most comforting.

Mind you ... those hills look rather daunting. The trees rather skeletal... and are those vultures circling above ?

It was now only a short distance before we found ourselves on the rising approach to the Castle.

Here we experienced an "Alice in Wonderlandesque" moment. Three of us, Martin, Harry and John W,  stopped to talk to the White Rabbit at the Castle doors........

....when we turned round the rest of the group, all nine of them, had vanished !!!!  Was there a hidden rabbit hole .  Was there a Queen of Hearts. Was the Queen at this very moment shouting "Off with their heads" ? We searched in vain and eventually left the castle to search it's environs and go to our next visit. The Priory.

Could they be up here ?

They're not in the priory.

Not here either.

There was one clue....

But surely, they're not in France on the banks of the Loire !

The answers to the mystery will, I think, have to be revealed by Danny.

At last they appeared. All  together again we went past the Priory and a short steep footpath took us towards the river and the Millennium Bridge.

Arriving at the Millennium Bridge we dropped down to street level and made our way up towards Dalton Square.

In spite of appearances the roads were busy and we had to take great care in crossing them. Into Dalton Square now where we stood briefly outside the house where an infamous murder took place.

Outside the "Murder House" looking up towards the Town Hall. (Looking up towards the Town Hall I said John !) At this house Dr Buck Ruxton murdered his wife and a maid then cut up their bodies, leaving the remains under a bridge in the Lake District.

Perhaps better to move quickly on past the Town Hall and on up towards the Catholic Cathedral.

( I am beginning to wonder if, at this point, your photographer was becoming tired as several of these photos have a distinct "lean" )

Once past the Cathedral we had a bit of a puff and a pant to the top of the road where we turned into Williamson Park and headed for the Ashton Memorial.

"Honestly. It was this big !".....  What was ?

Into Williamson park and up to the memorial.

LUNCHTIME !

Slightly later than usual we found suitable dining arrangements in the children's play area.

Lunch over we stopped briefly at the cafe(toilets !!) and to explore the Memorial and it's surrounds.

The underfloor heating would have been welcome as we ate our butties.

A very large wedding cake ?

As the group waited John W's attention was drawn to a small post upon which was the name of his mother and one of his sisters. Oh Dear !!

The old hothouse now used as the "Butterfly House" 

Our short visit completed we dropped down through the park and then through the streets of Lancaster where another of our group was found to have been "Named". Rather less shamefully this time.

Now, back to the cars and a very much easier drive home along a clear Motorway.

THE END