WALKERS :- Anthony, Martin, Dave, Vic, Harry
Danny, John R, John W, Paddy.
We drove down Penwortham's rather exclusive Hill Rd. to the car park at it's end next to the cemetery.
A short walk back down the road before turning right and heading downhill towards the river.
Up and over the road to Lower Penwortham and Lostock Hall where we joined the track between the River Ribble and Penwotham Holme sports fields.
Ahead of us was the road coming out of Preston down Fishergate hill and crossing the river into Penwortham. We crossed this busy road with care and set off along the linear park on the south bank of the Ribble.
Don't stop there Paddy it looks a bit dangerous !
On our right, as we walked, was the river with the tide going out leaving large stretches of dark grey mud. The sombre appearance of the mud was echoed by the dull greyness of the mist filled sky.
Along the banks at intervals were seats.....
…….and soon after passing the remains of the old power station...…..
…...we came to an art installation followed shortly by a large seating area.
As we sat with our coffees (and a liberal helping of "Uncle" Martin's Firewater) a variety of birds flew backwards and forwards along the river including ducks and the seemingly increasing numbers of Goosanders in our local waters. Several of the ungainly looking black cormorants were also there, perched on half submerged branches.
Leaving the seating area we continued to follow the banks of the river as the tarmacked path turned to hardcore and gravel and eventually to narrow muddy footpaths.
The presence of numerous lines of pylons reminded us that a large power station had once stood where we had just walked.
At one point we came across what we surmised was an overflow outlet, (field drains...Sewers ?) Large boulders had been placed. Presumably to prevent any turbulence damaging the river bank/bed.
Just a little further on we turned North away from the river.
and for a short while followed open fields..
… still being watched by the wholely necessary but unsightly pylons which stretched like giant skeleton guards across the landscape.
As we left the fields and returned to another "Sticky" track we noticed a warning.
"Oh you tak the high road and I'll tak the low road"
The presence of numerous lines of pylons reminded us that a large power station had once stood where we had just walked.
At one point we came across what we surmised was an overflow outlet, (field drains...Sewers ?) Large boulders had been placed. Presumably to prevent any turbulence damaging the river bank/bed.
Just a little further on we turned North away from the river.
and for a short while followed open fields..
… still being watched by the wholely necessary but unsightly pylons which stretched like giant skeleton guards across the landscape.
As we left the fields and returned to another "Sticky" track we noticed a warning.
Presumably, as long as we stuck to the footpath, any angry bulls would recognised our citizens rights to be there and leave us alone. Er well ...if you believe that.. !
The farm track led us up to a farm (Quelle surprise !) and as lunchtime beckoned we searched for somwhere to deposit ourselves. Harry and John W forged on a little furtherand lunched leaning on a farm gate only to return in search of our companions who had found a rather more sheltered spot which turned out to be next to Dave's "Wintering" caravan. (un autre surprise !)
Lunch over we walked up the farm lane and once again found ourselves on the public highway.
This trim track rather belied the fact that the farm itself seemed quite dilapidated BUT part of the buildins had been turned into a more than desirable property - with the usual security and privacy contraptions surrounding it. (to keep out peasants like us !)
A short walk took us to the end of this lane and we had arrived at Howick Cross … and not in name only.
From here we crossed the dual carriageway of Liverpool Road and followed the path behind all Hallows High School.
Leader Anthony defers to John R's local knowledge as we pass through the changing tangle of Penwortham's suburbia. Danny seems to have an opinion too.
Our walk now took us through the busy NEW section of roads weaving their way around Penwortham. Rather a confusion of roads for "Foreigners".
As we passed one house John R tells us all about a certain bush. It would almost seem that he was intimately familiar with this botanical specimen. ???
Behind us was yet another busy road which we crossed to once gain enter one of Penwortham surprisingly plentiful green spaces.
"The way through the woods" (a well loved poem) offered us a variety of paths but it wasn't long before we approached a group of "Community Payback" workers and suddenly, much to the writers surprise, we were back at the cars.
Looks like Martin is considering a "Travois" as a means transporting his heavily loaded backpack. The "Payback" Team can be seen at the gateway, discussing their next task.
Back at the cars Martin once again shows us why his load is heavy -- "Shandies all round -- Cheers !"
This had been a revelatory walk through unknown Penwortham. Great Walk.
The farm track led us up to a farm (Quelle surprise !) and as lunchtime beckoned we searched for somwhere to deposit ourselves. Harry and John W forged on a little furtherand lunched leaning on a farm gate only to return in search of our companions who had found a rather more sheltered spot which turned out to be next to Dave's "Wintering" caravan. (un autre surprise !)
Lunch over we walked up the farm lane and once again found ourselves on the public highway.
This trim track rather belied the fact that the farm itself seemed quite dilapidated BUT part of the buildins had been turned into a more than desirable property - with the usual security and privacy contraptions surrounding it. (to keep out peasants like us !)
A short walk took us to the end of this lane and we had arrived at Howick Cross … and not in name only.
From here we crossed the dual carriageway of Liverpool Road and followed the path behind all Hallows High School.
Leader Anthony defers to John R's local knowledge as we pass through the changing tangle of Penwortham's suburbia. Danny seems to have an opinion too.
Our walk now took us through the busy NEW section of roads weaving their way around Penwortham. Rather a confusion of roads for "Foreigners".
As we passed one house John R tells us all about a certain bush. It would almost seem that he was intimately familiar with this botanical specimen. ???
Behind us was yet another busy road which we crossed to once gain enter one of Penwortham surprisingly plentiful green spaces.
Why is John W posing next to a signpost ?
Looks like Martin is considering a "Travois" as a means transporting his heavily loaded backpack. The "Payback" Team can be seen at the gateway, discussing their next task.
Back at the cars Martin once again shows us why his load is heavy -- "Shandies all round -- Cheers !"
This had been a revelatory walk through unknown Penwortham. Great Walk.
THE END
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