COCKERHAM

NA' THEN COCKER ! 5 + Miles

WALKERS :- John W, Anthony, Danny, Jim C 
                       James, Dave. Vic, Mike, John B.

After visits to Southern Europe, Northern England and the celebration of a golden wedding the Meanderthals gathered again for a normal walking day. 

We parked at Cockerham's Village Hall and left the village heading to the strangely isolated church. As we had visited this church on previous walks we did not linger but quickly passed through the churchyard and out into the fields.

The grass in the fields was still thick and lush and John B our farmer companion was a little surprised that grass (for silage ) was still being cut late in the autumn.

We soon left the church behind and arrived at our first stile.

Today's stiles were invariably slippery and in some cases rather awkward. Perhaps an indication that our chosen route was not a well trodden one.

After such a dry, hot summer it was surprising how much surface water had accumulated since the winter weather set in.

This stile looks rather better than most but just on the other side  the  path, with crumbling edges,  threatened  to slide us into the deep slimy depths of a dike. 

Then we arrived at the inspiration of this weeks title.  "Na' then Cocker" said Mike completely stealing JW's thunder. We had reached the banks of the river Cocker.

We followed the banks of the Cocker for a little while watching groups of small ducks leave the water and fly hurriedly away (Wigeon, Teal ?) As the time approached eleven o'clock I explained to John B (a new boy) that we always stopped at 11am for coffees. Incredibly, at the very moment I put the full stop to this spoken sentence,  a voice from some distance behind shouted.. " 'ave you forgotten coffee time John ? "...…   "NO !" 

We were approaching a small bridge over the river and our path lay on the other side. So did a small "Hut" which perhaps would offer shelter for our coffee break.

That's this weeks bridge photo sorted.

The "Hut" turned out to be housing a large engine the purpose of which we were to discover.

On reaching the "Hut" there was indeed sheltered seating and we were soon settled comfortably around it.

Halfway through our coffee break the "Hut" burst into life with a terrifying ROAR ! Anthony (in the middle of the photo) was instantly turned into an olympic standard long jumper as he leapt out of the way.  The rest of us spilled  most of our drinks. The engine was in fact a powerful pump helping to drain the numerous ditches into the river and away to the sea.

 The powerful jet of muddy water being pumped from the dykes and into the river.

The warning about the pump that we only saw after the startling event.

The pipe from the pump which had, within minutes, lowered the dyke's water level by two feet.

Leaving the "Roaring Monster" behind we followed the hedge line down to the next farm - "Lathwaite". Here the GPS and the map told us to take a sharp left but this very large complex of farm buildings was a little confusing.

Meanderthals looking confused .

"I've got my eye on you." thinks a friendly cow.

Once round the next outbuilding and the way forward became obvious. Follow the track.

On one side of the track was a healthy looking young crop of kale. on the other side looking rather lonely and forlorn was an Ordnance Survey Trig. Point. At 4 metres above sea level it must be one of the lowest in the land.

By now the day had worsened and a thin spattering of rain fell from the grey sky. Above, in this grey sky, another roaring monster cavorted. A lone "Typhoon" Eurofighter plane  thundered overhead as it circled and tumbled beneath the heavy grey clouds.

The double track ended as we crossed another deep water-filled dyke and a stretch of wide open fields opened before us.

As we have already mentioned,  our path was little used and was largely neglected. The next bridge needed some careful negotiating

Anthony tries to replace one of the struts.

With this creaking bridge behind us we arrived at Forton Hall Farm. By now the rain ,though not heavy, was continuous and a generous young farmer was happy to allow us to take our lunch in the shelter of one of his buildings.

"NA' THEN COCKER !"

The rain was still falling as we thanked the farmer and left to continue our walk. Across the road in front of the farm and immediately down the lane opposite "Stoney Bank Lane". This lane was lined with some rather expensive looking properties, As we entered it we saw on the side a large stone with rings set in it's top next to a square "Sink" like stone. We surmised this might once have been a cheese press. (any other ideas ?)

A little further down the lane a team of gardeners and a magnificent piece of garden topiary seemed to confirm our conviction that there was "Money" about. 

Money, though, does not always , in my opinion, equate to good taste. Not sure about this stained glass window.

All the other windows were of multiple small panes and on closer inspection this "Complete" frame seems to be simply set in front of an ordinary window. (Note the way it slopes inwards from bottom to top.)

A little further down the lane we were offered "Free" bramley apples and Danny, our keen forager, couldn't miss such an opportunity. 

Of course we could not simply take without leaving something so we did. You will discover later just what . Immediately beyond the apples we dropped down to the Lancaster canal.

….to where a quite splendid and seemingly extra long narrow boat was moored. It had the slightly amusing name of "Mint Imperial" (hope it doesn't dissolve in water !)

Along the canal to the next bridge. About a kilometre. 

At this point a decision had to be made. The afternoon was decidedly damp and gloomy and as this was our first walk for weeks, tired limbs were challenging our resolve. Once up onto the road we could either follow the road back to the cars or keep to the original plan and take to the fields to end our walk. Both options were of similar length but the field option might take a little longer.  With opinions divided the group likewise divided and went in both directions to end the walk. 

"See you back at the cars."

The slightly smaller group took to the fields for the short but interesting final stretch.

At the first farm...……

"No. I am not personally responsible." protested JW.

Across a large field where we caught glimpses of deer running across.

There's one there. Can you see it ?  I did say "Glimpses".

Then we had yet another neglected and decidedly "dodgy " bridge to cross. 

Then we had to negotiate a field of curious (nosey) sheep who came charging over the hill ( yes A HILL ! ) to inspect us.

 Oh look ! a standoff...…. Woolly sheep  V  Woolly minds

And finally as we dropped down to the road to join our companions at the car park John B met a friend from Forton Bowling Club. A friendly end to a pleasant walk.

….and that's it.

…….but before I close I couldn't resistant this shot of a delightful autumnal garden.

THE END

p.s.  What did we leave in exchange for Bramley apples ?..... Vic's stick.  Such forgetfulness is usually JW's prerogative. We searched for and retrieved on our drive home.