WALKERS :- Vic, Mick C, Anthony, John W
John R, Martin, James, Danny.
Only a short drive along the Motorway before we parked up in the vast car park at Botany Bay.
From the cars it was just a short stride to the canal were one deluded individual chose to go over the stile .....?
James' strange desire for unnecessary climbing did not bode well for later obstacles !!!
The LEEDS/LIVERPOOL canal was designed to take boats rather larger than the ubiquitous Narrow Boats and being such a long canal serving major conurbations and passing through some of the country's most attractive countryside it seems to be better cared for than our more familiar LANCASTER canal. Surprising, then, that this milestone has been surreptitiously "Adopted" by a tree.
So how far is Leeds ?
With nesting birds and parents feeding chicks the bird population was boldly on display as we walked.
A lone fisherman.
A nesting Canada Goose
Another sighting of a goosander (Sorry about the fuzz it was a long way across the canal) .
As we approached Johnson's Hillock Locks the canal split in two with one branch swinging left. The original intention was to link it with the Lancaster Canal by means of the Tram bridge and the Tramway in Preston. This plan was abandoned and only a short arm of the canal was completed.
The Preston arm................................................Locks to Leeds
We followed the Preston arm and as it terminated we settled for a coffee break.
The comment was made that these look ideal candidates for the other historically famous "Botany Bay"
Leaving the canal behind we were to discover how attractive this , possibly underrated, area actually was. There were many delightful old buildings in the vernacular style.
For the next mile or so our route lay close to the motorway and though still attractive it was to become quite complicated with a web of narrow footpaths interspersed with culverted streams and tunnels.
An ancient stile (notice the stonework) and a backdrop of traffic on the motorway.
The topography was undulating and we now dropped steeply down to arrive at our first tunnel.
The tunnel was perhaps fifty yards long but decidedly dark inside and care had to be taken not to bump into each other especially when blinded by a photographic flash.
Camera flash illuminates the tunnel ...otherwise..........
Deep darkness. There is someone a couple of feet in front of the camera
Emerging from one tunnel we soon arrived at the next.
The instructions accompanying this walk said "DO NOT" follow the path through the tunnel but take the path to the left. Someone ignored these instructions. No names mentioned. ................ Why not ? ........ Well alright then.... VIC!
You will see from this photo that the path through the tunnel is actually barred.
Taking the path to the left a stiff little climb took us up to a meadow and then along a narrow footpath into some larger fields. At this point we realised that Vic was no longer with us. After waiting for several minutes and shouting "VIC !" at intervals, action was needed. Your writer returned to the tunnel mouth and shouted an echoing "Vic......... !" into it. No response. With great reluctance he entered the tunnel which was even blacker than the first and cautiously walked along it. With the unseen blackness of the turgid river somewhere to his right and the rough stony walls (equally invisible) to his left it was a little scary wondering what might have happened to Vic especially as a graffiti artist had left a dire warning at the tunnel entrance.
Emerging at the far end of the tunnel the footpath split and led of in several directions. As several loud shouts of "Vic" produced no results returning to the group was the only option.
The group had crossed the field and were waiting on the road. Several options were discussed. "Call the Police"..."Go back and search"... "Leave 'I'm to to his own devices" fortunately before a vote could be taken Vic was spotted coming across a distant field.
"That's him look. Down there."
Here he comes !
As we waited for Vic we noticed a unusual sight. An Excalibur like sword was stuck firmly into the ground. As non of us was called Arthur we decided to leave well alone as any attempt to pull it out might end in embarrassment.
Our walked continued and we once again encountered the motorway. As we crossed over it a sign caught our eyes.
Some wit (Danny ?) suggested that Whittle should pay his quarrymen more. They shouldn't have to rely on tips.
Immediately over the motorway bridge and we left the road to climb upwards through a field.
The top of the field allowed a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding area. Nearby Chorley, Preston and even dimly in the distance Blackpool Tower.
A couple more fields to cross which were at last beginning to dry up after such along wet period and we reached our leaders chosen lunch spot. And quite spectacular it was.
Many, Many, many, many, Years ago John W. had climbed these quarry walls as part of an "Outdoor Pursuits" course. Now - the third rung of a step ladder terrifies him.
A great spot for lunch though Mick C seems to have adopted the "Billy no Mates" approach to dining.
Lunch over we set off again in search of the LEEDS/LIVERPOOL which would take us back to the cars. At one point we came across a wall that looked oddly strong and well built compared to others around. As we reached the end of it we found it had been the wall of the local "Pauper House and Lunatic Asylum". What sad places they must have been. Nearby was a well possibly used by the establishment.
The aforementioned well.
As we continued across the fields James once again decided "Climbing" was his "thing" of the day and whilst everyone else headed for the stile James unaccountably opted for going over a locked gate.
Once atop the gate some slippery footwork found him flying through the air to land with a ground shaking thud. GREAT CONSTERNATION all round ! He assured us that, although somewhat shaken, he was alright. A few minutes later we arrived at the canal.
Although we had some little way yet to walk along the canal our journey was reaching it's end so we looked for a spot to finish our flasks and any "Nibbles" left. The locks at Johnson's Hillocks were ideal.
And here, too, James discovered that whilst his fall had shaken him it had more than shaken the contents of his rucksack. His "Butty Box" was no more !!
As for the last of his butties.... well ! Our walk continued past several locks before arriving at the junction where we had swung left earlier in the day.
We were now returning along the towpath we had followed at the start of our walk. Once again we came across the solitary fisherman. (or woman I hastily add.)
....and also a rather scary looking tree...................
Could this be an ancient Triffid ?
So a brief rest on route
before the strange Disney inspired turrets of Botany Bay hove into view.
These reports seem to be getting longer. Boring ? I hope not. I can only protest that our last few walks seem to have been full of interest and incident. This one being a prime example.
Once again we presented the walker of the week. This time to New Boy Mick.
Another excellent walk. Well done leader,
THE END
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