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| Meanderthals feel 'at home' in a scrap yard! "Scrapyard ! Oh, I thought they were coffins !" "Quick. Back in the boxes lads. There's somebody coming with a cross and some garlic." "Can I come down from the "Naughty Step" now. I promise to be good." Amazon delivery goes wrong as group of idiots escape from boxes before arrival at destination villages. |
A sub-culture of English eccentricity - living out the "Spirit of Adventure and Exploration" on which the British Empire was built!
Saturday, 29 June 2019
Caption Pic 29th June
Friday, 28 June 2019
SILVERDALE
NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE 6 Miles
WALKERS :- Anthony, John R, Paddy, Martin ,Vic
Danny, John W, Mick K, Dave.
With blue skies overhead and the weather set fair we parked up in a small but handy car park just off the road close to Silverdale.
The area was typical of much of the wooded, fractured limestone hillsides of this corner of North West England. From time to time man's hand could be detected in the form of old and sometimes mysterious ruins amongst the trees. Here we pass some strange concrete plateaux now almost overgrown.
The paths we followed were invariably clearly marked often with these quaintly attractive sign posts.
We were heading for the coast and it wasn't long before we caught distant glimpses of it.
Coffee over we set off to follow the narrow rocky footpath that rose steeply away from the cove as it climbed the headland seen two photographs back.
Looking back, however, we saw a cave in the rocky cliff we had been sitting near and were now leaving. Several of us turned back to explore this cave whilst the rest waited for us.
We left this small and rather uninteresting cave and quickly caught up with the others who were sitting comfortably enjoying the expansive view of Morecambe Bay,
WALKERS :- Anthony, John R, Paddy, Martin ,Vic
Danny, John W, Mick K, Dave.
With blue skies overhead and the weather set fair we parked up in a small but handy car park just off the road close to Silverdale.
Leaving the road behind us we set off along a deeply sun-dappled and well worn footpath through the woods.
The area was typical of much of the wooded, fractured limestone hillsides of this corner of North West England. From time to time man's hand could be detected in the form of old and sometimes mysterious ruins amongst the trees. Here we pass some strange concrete plateaux now almost overgrown.
The paths we followed were invariably clearly marked often with these quaintly attractive sign posts.
We were heading for the coast and it wasn't long before we caught distant glimpses of it.
The signs along the path also indicated that we were nearing the sea . Well perhaps that is a little optimistic. Nearing the mud and sand that the tide would eventually cover...….. the sea would be m i l e s away.
A narrow lane eventually deposited us on the shore.
Coffee time !
Coffee over we set off to follow the narrow rocky footpath that rose steeply away from the cove as it climbed the headland seen two photographs back.
Looking back, however, we saw a cave in the rocky cliff we had been sitting near and were now leaving. Several of us turned back to explore this cave whilst the rest waited for us.
We left this small and rather uninteresting cave and quickly caught up with the others who were sitting comfortably enjoying the expansive view of Morecambe Bay,
This narrow, rocky path climbed quickly away from the shoreline but soon opened out into an elevated grassy area containing several large and seemingly contented cows. They lay on the grass chewing their cud and watching with slightly bored interest as we passed by. the area also held stunning views out over the bay.
Once across these fields we arrived at the road again. Here a "Woolly" wrapped handrail helped us down a short flight of steps.
At the bottom of the hill a wrong turn took us in "Grand Old Duke of York " fashion up to the top of the hill then marched us down again. This is not surprising as this extremely attractive area is also a maze of winding lanes and paths. Getting lost from time to time is almost inevitable and part of the fun. We also came across a rather pertinent sign.
OK. OK. Yes we know !
Once back on track we found ourselves passing some very posh residences (We really must find a less prosperous area to walk in sometimes) and with lunchtime beckoning we found a nice corner seat at which to dine.
Here Martin and John compared notes on their "luxury" fruit salads.
Martin proudly pointed out that his was "reduced"...a bargain !
Lunch over Anthony discussed options for our way forward and wisely decided that the more gentle descent to Jenny Brown's Point was the route we should take.
The narrow lane was surprisingly busy with cars causing us to step aside at regular intervals.
From time to time we came across gaps in the thick hedgerow which allowed lovely views out across the muddy sands.
Looking across to the distant Heysham Nuclear Power Station.
As we arrive close to Jenny Brown's Point we left the road and took to the shoreline.
This lonely chimney is all that is left of a once thriving copper smelting site - - Time and tide and all that !
With a hot sun blazing from the sky, even though the sand had been replaced by lush sea-washed turf, it was good that we were able to rest from time to time in shady areas as we walked along the shore.
From here the path gradually began to rise away from the shore again giving us lovely views of this remarkably pretty area.
As we once again entered woodlands we were amazed at the tenacity of trees which seemed to be growing out of solid rock.
Leaving the woods we once again entered an area of grassland where we found "A Bridge" … Photo ?
Across the grass and through a gate and then up a steep rocky path into a final wood.
"What goes up must come down." as the saying goes and having climbed up through the wood the rocky path now "tumbled" down till it met a narrow road which in turn led us back to the car park.
An excellent walk amid stunning scenery in glorious weather. Well done. After such a sunny walk Martin's shandy was even more welcome than ever. Thanks.
From here the path gradually began to rise away from the shore again giving us lovely views of this remarkably pretty area.
As we once again entered woodlands we were amazed at the tenacity of trees which seemed to be growing out of solid rock.
Leaving the woods we once again entered an area of grassland where we found "A Bridge" … Photo ?
Across the grass and through a gate and then up a steep rocky path into a final wood.
"What goes up must come down." as the saying goes and having climbed up through the wood the rocky path now "tumbled" down till it met a narrow road which in turn led us back to the car park.
An excellent walk amid stunning scenery in glorious weather. Well done. After such a sunny walk Martin's shandy was even more welcome than ever. Thanks.
THE END
Saturday, 22 June 2019
Caption Pic 22nd June
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| "Is the mud THAT deep, John?" "John should not have told that "DYNAMO" magician fella that he was a fraud " "Griffindor" said the hat. "Slytherin" said Harry. "Meanderthals" said John. OK. There's the hat but where's the Mad Hatter ? "It must have been quite scary! He's thrown his hat in and then disappeared!" |
Has he been abducted by aliens?
"Aliens abduct a Meanderthal - Why ? -They are Alien !"
Friday, 21 June 2019
STAVELEY
DOWN RIVER - UP RIVER 6 Miles
WALKERS :- Anthony, Danny, Paddy, Mick K, Vic
John W, Martin, Mike H, Harry & Jim D
Parking was not easy in the small but busy village of Staveley. We parked in various spots then congregated next to St. Margaret's Tower.
Once across the field we stopped to admire an old farmhouse complete with it's ancient "Spinning Gallery". These are a feature of Lakeland farms and particularly those near Coniston . Here the ladies would sit under the eaves sheltered from the weather and able to use natural light for their spinning.
Having driven further than we usually do it was now after 11 o'clock so we stopped for coffee. At a "Hardrock Café" perhaps.
We continued across the fields where the stiles we met were invariable well constructed and "helpful" in that , in some cases, they had handrails. Wow !
After wending our way through an apparently fearless flock of sheep we arrived at our next stile.
Here a delightfully friendly but pesky pony warmly greeted us as we tried to climb over It seemed to want a cuddle from each person before it allowed us to continue on our way.
Pesky (but lovely) pony gets a cuddle from James.
Marked on the map was a sewage works. We seem to come across these at regular intervals (NO comments … Thank You !). This one we had met up with before. The policy statement on the gate would be a good one whatever ones occupation.
We were now following a tarmacked road but not for long as we soon dropped down into the woodland. The quaintly named "Beckmickle Ing ". ( Ing being an ancient word meaning "Wet, marshy area").
We walked down through the woods till we once more gained the banks of the river Kent.
The path led us to a recently constructed bridge. Here, as we rested briefly to step onto the bridge and watch the river, two roaringly noisy jets hurtled across the sky ….. and it STARTED to RAIN !
Waterproofs donned we crossed the farm track and continued across the fields now closely following the bank of the river. Many of the fields we walked through were full of long grass and wild flowers. We assumed these were destined to become hay or silage as no animals were grazing in them. Then we arrived at the well tended and mown acres of a golf course.
Across the golf course we could see the large buildings of a modern development built on the site of an old mill.
The path skirted round this development which was well planned and we thought quite attractive. We would see more of it as we did the "return" trip.
We were now following the "Dales Way" and although blue skies filled the horizons it continued to rain quite heavily.
Our next significant "target" was the village of Bowston at which point we would turn to follow the opposite bank of the river back to Staveley.
As we arrived at Bowston the rain stopped and the sun came out. An ideal spot to rest and have our lunch.
The village also boasted a well preserved Victorian post box.
The next photo shows that the sunshine was only given to us for lunchtime. As soon as we set off again..... so did the rain.
The path squeezed it's way between some most attractive houses and gardens and the river to our right. John W pauses (poses) briefly as he admires the flowers along the path which continues behind him.
The path now closely followed the banks of the Kent as we headed North back towards Staveley. It wasn't long before we arrived at the large modern development we had passed on the other side of the river. The "Old" parts were very attractive and the modern parts certainly didn't cause objectionable comments,
……… and so off along the river banks which proved to be most attractive.
Past the new bridge where the rain had started on our outward journey. Now, though, the sun was shining.
WALKERS :- Anthony, Danny, Paddy, Mick K, Vic
John W, Martin, Mike H, Harry & Jim D
Parking was not easy in the small but busy village of Staveley. We parked in various spots then congregated next to St. Margaret's Tower.
Next to the tower was a road which quickly turned into a narrow footpath leading over a bridge to the other side of the River Kent.
The start of our walk took us away from the river and across the fields.
Once across the field we stopped to admire an old farmhouse complete with it's ancient "Spinning Gallery". These are a feature of Lakeland farms and particularly those near Coniston . Here the ladies would sit under the eaves sheltered from the weather and able to use natural light for their spinning.
Having driven further than we usually do it was now after 11 o'clock so we stopped for coffee. At a "Hardrock Café" perhaps.
We continued across the fields where the stiles we met were invariable well constructed and "helpful" in that , in some cases, they had handrails. Wow !
After wending our way through an apparently fearless flock of sheep we arrived at our next stile.
Here a delightfully friendly but pesky pony warmly greeted us as we tried to climb over It seemed to want a cuddle from each person before it allowed us to continue on our way.
Pesky (but lovely) pony gets a cuddle from James.
Marked on the map was a sewage works. We seem to come across these at regular intervals (NO comments … Thank You !). This one we had met up with before. The policy statement on the gate would be a good one whatever ones occupation.
We were now following a tarmacked road but not for long as we soon dropped down into the woodland. The quaintly named "Beckmickle Ing ". ( Ing being an ancient word meaning "Wet, marshy area").
We walked down through the woods till we once more gained the banks of the river Kent.
The path led us to a recently constructed bridge. Here, as we rested briefly to step onto the bridge and watch the river, two roaringly noisy jets hurtled across the sky ….. and it STARTED to RAIN !
Waterproofs donned we crossed the farm track and continued across the fields now closely following the bank of the river. Many of the fields we walked through were full of long grass and wild flowers. We assumed these were destined to become hay or silage as no animals were grazing in them. Then we arrived at the well tended and mown acres of a golf course.
(sorry about the poor quality of this photo - Rain on the lens.)
The path skirted round this development which was well planned and we thought quite attractive. We would see more of it as we did the "return" trip.
We were now following the "Dales Way" and although blue skies filled the horizons it continued to rain quite heavily.
Our next significant "target" was the village of Bowston at which point we would turn to follow the opposite bank of the river back to Staveley.
As we arrived at Bowston the rain stopped and the sun came out. An ideal spot to rest and have our lunch.
The village also boasted a well preserved Victorian post box.
The next photo shows that the sunshine was only given to us for lunchtime. As soon as we set off again..... so did the rain.
The path squeezed it's way between some most attractive houses and gardens and the river to our right. John W pauses (poses) briefly as he admires the flowers along the path which continues behind him.
The path now closely followed the banks of the Kent as we headed North back towards Staveley. It wasn't long before we arrived at the large modern development we had passed on the other side of the river. The "Old" parts were very attractive and the modern parts certainly didn't cause objectionable comments,
……… and so off along the river banks which proved to be most attractive.
Past the new bridge where the rain had started on our outward journey. Now, though, the sun was shining.
The sunshine didn't last long and the rain resumed it's assault as we continued to follow the river. Stopping at intervals for the group to gather together.
As well as the well constructed stiles we came across some quite incredibly large gate posts.
Some of these stones could quite easily have graced the standing stones and circles of prehistoric Britain. Perhaps they once did ????
From time to time we veered away from the river to cross fields thus cutting out the bends of the river.
A final stop close to the river to finish off our flask. As we did so a tree on the horizon became the centre of attention. Was it an Oak, a Maple (Sycamore) or an Ash ?
Mike went up to investigate and here he comes bearing evidence.
It was an Ash !
Through a final well constructed kissing gate and across a couple more fields and we arrived at the road into Staveley,
The front runners had a short wait at the road for the others to catch up and five minutes later we entered the edge of Staveley. Not sure so small a "Town" merits ...outskirts !
As we walked back to the cars we discovered that the residents of Staveley were not devoid of a sense of humour.
THE END
(Until last Thursday of course)
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