WALKERS :- Mike, Mick, James. Martin, Danny
John W, Anthony, Vic, Harry, Paddy.
With five of our group due to go on holiday together early next week and another member anxious to preserve his energy for a bigger challenge on the 'morrow, a short, unadventurous toddle was planned.
After a little delay gathering our forces we parked our cars in the Bilsborrow Village Hall car park and set off across the A6 road.
Once out of the car park we crossed the busy A6 road. (Cars stopped for us...….. not sure I liked that.....did we look so pathetic ?) and turned left to follow the track over the canal and off towards Myerscough College.
The tarmac surface of the road soon ended and we were now following a typical farm/country track.
On either side were sporting fields (golf, football, equestrian) and we surmised that these must be part of the College's Educational premises. This seemed to be confirmed when a group of suitably dressed and equipped "students" appeared along the track.
Soon afterwards we walked into the grounds of the college and were surrounded by the buildings and the beautifully tended grounds...…… and GUESS WHAT.... COFFEE TIME...…. and furthermore there was a CAFE !!
With the unerring instincts of highly trained bloodhounds the Meanderthals found their way through the greenhouses full of potted plants, bushes and equipment and into the café.....then out again to the garden seating.
Coffees all round....Thanks Mike !
The countryside is always alive with sights and sounds and also SMELLS. There was no mistaking this one.
Here we are passing a large swathe of wild "Fragrant" garlic.
We now followed the busy road for a couple of hundred yards. With no footpaths alongside it we were very wary of speeding cars but it wasn't too far before we turned right down a much quieter, narrow lane which would lead us to the canal.
At the bottom of the steps Mick and Mike set off happily along the canal towpath until a cheery call from their "Esteemed" leader (?) told them they were going in the wrong direction. (It is little wonder that our planned 5 mile walks often turn into 6 or 7 milers ……… and then the leader gets blamed. How unfair !!!!! )
This way please !
If the reader looks carefully at the photo above he/she will notice that the arch beautifully frames the distant "Fairsnape Fell" the scene of past adventures.
We trotted (rather hasty sort of motion than we actually accomplish) along to the next bridge where lunch was partaken.
After lunch we continued to follow the canal until we arrived at the next bridge - "White Horse Bridge" whereat we left the canal and headed back towards the A6.
As we arrived at the A6 Anthony informed us that the corner building had once been the "White Horse Pub". …..Pub... Bridge... Lane.... I wonder what happened to the much famed White Horse itself ?
White horsed Pub..... on the right ?
Immediately across the road was another renowned building but not of the same antiquity.
From here we turned left (North) and walked for just a few minutes to farm road leading away to the right. Crossing the busy and fast A6 was by no means easy.
Once across the road we were greeted by a slightly unfriendly warning sign. Fortunately it did not apply to those on foot.
Our own particular Sat Nav. (GPS) and the map told us that both these establishments WERE accessible to those on foot.... we continued.
The reader will understand that with an average age of approximately 75 our group walk at a "Sensible" pace. It was, however, rather galling to have to step aside to allow the passage of a tortoise and two snails who had been following us for some time and were impatient to get on with their lives. Cheeky little **** !
The route took us through an extremely attractive area of farmland with some very desirable properties. We even came across a competitor in the "Best Dressed Horse" competition.
"I like your outfit"...………..said the horse.
The tarmac road continued shortly before downgrading to a rough track which gradually narrowed to a thin path through overgrown bushes and brambles.
But not without without it's drama. "Nature. Red in tooth and Claw !"
Once we had recrossed the railway and the M6 Motorway our walk was nearing it's end.
A brief stop to admire (?) a lonely Wind Turbine
Back onto a busy road and a short tramp (once again recrossing the M6 and the railway) and we arrived at our parked cars.
The writer must apologise for absent mindedly forgetting to take a photo of Danny's wonderful birthday cake superbly created by his wife Barbara. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Danny and thanks for the cake Barbara.
Once we had recrossed the railway and the M6 Motorway our walk was nearing it's end.
A brief stop to admire (?) a lonely Wind Turbine
Back onto a busy road and a short tramp (once again recrossing the M6 and the railway) and we arrived at our parked cars.
The writer must apologise for absent mindedly forgetting to take a photo of Danny's wonderful birthday cake superbly created by his wife Barbara. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Danny and thanks for the cake Barbara.
THE END
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