WALKERS :- John R, John W, Mike, Danny, Vic
Anthony, Martin , Harry, Jim C
OUR FIRST WALK OF THE YEAR 2019 !
At times this walk would could hardly be termed a "Meander"thal walk as much of it was walked in long straight lines.
We parked our cars in the rather grubby car park of the Mere Sands Nature reserve (Cheap though - £2 a day ) and set off through the wooded reserve.
For the first mile or so we followed roads and footpaths through sparse hamlets until abruptly the footpath ended. Our way was barred by a tatty gate bearing the message "Please Close". Naturally we "Opened" it and stepped through into a delightful garden with a large, crystal clear, pond full of very large attractive Carp. It was also crystal clear that we did not belong here so we quickly passed through.
Can you see Martin and John R passing through ?
At the end of the drive we crossed a minor road and continued on our STRAIGHT way until we once again "Lost" the footpath. A very helpful gentleman said he wasn't surprised we couldn't follow the footpath easily as there were so many here leading in all directions and many had been altered.
This very pleasant carrot grower (for M&S) tells us where to go - in the nicest possible way.
We continued past the "carrots" following the first of many ditches and dikes we were to encounter during the day.
This dike led us to another minor road were a large "Timber Yard" looked promising for coffee break seating .... So we sat !
As we sat the ever thoughtful Martin dispensed his always welcome "Firewater" . Doubly welcome on this sharply cold day.
Coffee break over we strode back up this little lane to where it met the busy road we had driven along earlier. Here, at Holmeswood, we passed a most attractive Methodist Chapel alongside a Methodist school.
Crossing this road we next passed a post box. These are always interesting as they help to date the area. This one was not particularly old but "G V1 R" placed it before our present queen took the throne.
We followed the lane past the "Pillar Box" until we came to a large , sprawling farmyard. Once again the footpaths
became a mystery. The farmer told us there was no footpath but he was happy to let us pass through and pointed out the route we should take. As we passed through the farm we met some of the livestock...
The track led us past a small wood where there were signs of the areas sporting fraternity. Inside the wood was a securely fastened pen with electric wire around presumably to keep foxes away from the pheasants being reared within.
A couple of rearing peasants by the pen.
Further evidence of "sporting " activity.
(This is NOT good. Shooting etiquette demands that you pick up empty cartridges)
As we walked, the land all around us was flat as far as the eye could see and more straight lines were in evidence.
The friendly farmer who had allowed us (footpathless) through his land had warned us not to follow the wooded stretch of pathway when we came to it as it was difficult and often very wet. Being bold, brave adventurers (stupid souls) we did follow it and it was rather charming.
By the time we reached the end of this wooded embankment it was lunch time. The wide open aspect of the farmland offered little shelter from the gentle BUT chilly breeze that was filching across the fields. We eventually chose to huddle down in the shelter of a raised bank.
Mike sits on a handy pallet...…
…. whilst Harry is well "huddled".
These hardy souls sat on top of the embankment and braved the chill breeze
Whilst others went exploring...……..
"Dan Dare - Pilot of the Foot sure "... walking the plank !
Oh Look !...…. More straight lines.
Whilst others went exploring...……..
Off again following straight lines with vast open fields on either side.
It wasn't long before came to the busy (and dangerous) main road leading towards Ormskirk and onwards to Liverpool. We crossed this into the old road and so into the quaintly named hamlet of Sollom. (Much punning ensued 😆😆)
Here we came across a stone that perhaps bears witness to the antiquity of the place. A stone that may once have held a wayside cross.
A short distance down a side lane and...…. horror of horrors...…. A HILL !!! well a canal bridge anyway .
We had arrived at an arm of the Leeds/Liverpool canal which reaches out towards the river Douglas and so down to the Ribble, across to Savick Brook and eventually to the Lancaster Canal. --- THE RIBBLE LINK.
We were now following the towpath back towards Rufford and eventually Mere Sands and the cars.
As we walked we paused on the swing bridge (which we have visited before) to take the obligatory "Bridge Photo"
Oh that's nice. J.W. seems to have joined the group.
Not much further now before we left the canal to cross again the busy main road and followed a farm track skirting a woodland and going behind the "New Rufford Hall"
There was just enough time now to chat to a friendly "Charger" (according to Harry) ………….
……..before we quickened our pace to walk through the gathering gloom back to the car park. Here we again enjoyed Martin's largesse. Not content with providing a "Winter Warmer" at coffee time he had also brought along the chilled shandy we welcome in the summer.
MARTIN -- A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS !!
Almost dark now as we piled into our cars and headed home through the early evening traffic.
THE END
p.s. a few bits of interest.
Out of the tree
Into the tree
Lean times for some.
I said that road was dangerous....
A rather neat little holiday spot (note the Satellite dish)
As we walked between the ploughed fields we could see all sorts of bits and pieces scattered across the surface, This reminded J.W. that one of his distant forebears used to empty the "Night Soil" from the backs of houses in towns, load it onto his barge and sell it to farmers along the canals to be scattered on the fields as a form of fertiliser. Amongst the soil was any rubbish people use to also throw into the soil closets . J.W. picked up some of the scattered bits including bits of stems from old clay pipes and broken pottery.
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