WALKERS :- Jim C, James, Anthony, Vic, Mick C, Mike, John R, Harry. Danny, Paddy, John W, Martin
Wonder of wonders. The sun was shining down as we set off for our walk.
We parked next to St Mary's church and were welcomed inside to look around this iconic church.
The circular design of this church is said to have influenced the design of Liverpool's Catholic Cathedral " Paddy's Wigwam " Quite a spectacular interior which included the "Stations of the Cross " by renowned sculptor Arthur Dooley.
After a short visit we left to walk through the town
and past the Market cross.
and past the Market cross.
We quickly passed the cross and continued towards St Andrew's Church with it's exceptionally large graveyard.
We paused only momentarily to examine the gravestones as we approached the Old Schoolhouse which is now a tiny museum.
Again we were warmly welcomed inside by it's long serving, part time curator who briefly took us through the buildings 500 year history.
Again only a brief stay in this tiny but delightfully managed museum.
This warning notice on the wall was serious at the time of publication but now seems quaintly amusing.
With the sun continuing to shine we left the museum and walked down through the large graveyard, in a distant part of which, Paddy informed us, his mother was buried.
Out of the graveyard,
through an attractive modern housing development, across a road and into Worden Park.
This superb park was busy with children on school Easter break but we were soon able to find a comfortable spot for our coffee time.
After our coffee break we continued through the park to our next stop .
This was a bit of a puzzle. Well, actually, a lot of a puzzle. It was the park's maze. Even with the hedges thin and see-through it still took a while to find our way past false turns and dead ends before arriving in the middle.
This was a bit of a puzzle. Well, actually, a lot of a puzzle. It was the park's maze. Even with the hedges thin and see-through it still took a while to find our way past false turns and dead ends before arriving in the middle.
John W cheated and went "in" through the "exit " gates . Purely for the purpose of taking photographs he insisted.
Those who did it all PROPERLY took a little longer to get to the exit.
We now followed the track out of the park until we arrived at the by-pass road. Here, next to the roundabout, was an example of Leyland's industrial past (and hopefully it's future) in vehicle manufacture.
"William" an agricultural tractor which boldly declared it was "Made in Leyland".
From here we took to the fields for just a short while as we approached the River Lostock which was flowing brown and strong.
A rather "industrial" looking bridge took us across the river to a comfortable spot for lunch. THE SUN WAS STILL SHINING !!!
A Dining Danny.
It is not in the nature of our group to miss the opportunity to taking a group photograph as we cross bridges. This is probably because it offers the the chance to get everyone in a straight line.
Who's missing ? (Taking the photo.)
(That bridge is rather too similar to the bridge over the river Kwai)
After just a short muddy stretch (It's not a walk without MUD......is it ? )
We were back on the park style hard surfaced paths. These wound their way alongside the River Lostock which flowed rapidly past us as we made our way to our final "Target" the promised "GIANT HORSE". There was some scepticism as to the actual existence of this fabled animal .............. we shall see.
There was evidence of the presence of ducks though.
The first part of the path eventually took us to Dunkirk Lane. here Paddy pointed out a building which held good if nostalgic memories of his childhood. Dunkirk House. Now a restaurant.
Dunkirk.......... Paddy reminisces about his youth.
Across the lane to where the path continued to follow the banks of the Lostock as far as Slater Lane. Across the by-pass and back along the river to where our equine friend revealed itself. It was "BOBBY".
A BIG horse !
As you can see.
We now needed to discuss the ending of the walk. Straight back to the cars or finish the extra mile or so as planned. Extra bit won !
A final short stop to finish off our various beverages
A final short stop to finish off our various beverages
And compare hairstyles ... Snow capped or well polished
A final (short) stretch of Muddy path...
....... then a green, bowered lane followed by a slightly tedious plod through housing estates ( nervously led by new boy Mick C who said he knew the area.) and we were back at St Mary's and the cars. A quick thank you for the visit and the car parking and off we went..... home.
THE END
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