Caption Pic 27th July

"I remember seeing Cromwell come over this bridge!"
  "He's here again! Does he get paid? Is he a professional?"
Super model Mike is wearing a blue ensemble with military overtones : 
designed by Kwik Fit and available at Boundary Mill, Pound shop and Primark.
Looks like he's presenting "Country File" or "Springwatch" for the BBC.
  "Will he be walking on Thursday amidst this modelling and media work?"
Well he wasn't walking this week. What was it ? M&S or catalogue work.
Thank goodness Raleigh haven't signed him. He could be in Lycra or Spandex.
"Is that "Spandex Ballet"...…. I know he's quite musical.... but DANCING!"
"Don't think either Spandex or Lycra do Tutu's"
Just give him his bike. That'll complete the picture.

BARBECUE !

NO WALK ?

It was a hot and steamy day 
A walk had not been planned
Meanderthals on this one day
Were not to roam the land
Instead a social gathering
Took place in Grimsargh town
A BBQ in John's backyard
No walk. Just sit around.

Just sit around and talk and laugh
And share a drink or two
I kid you not so do not mock
The favourite it is true
"Dandelion and burdock" (Try making that scan)
A Cornucopia of food as well
Each guest had contributed
And soon aromas filled the air 
The talk was now food muted,

A garden full of blue wood smoke
As food was cooked and served.
Bangers, burgers, fish and fowl.
And then a voice was heard
"There's more inside the house" it said
And sure enough there was a spread
Of cakes and scones and puds
The ladies all had done us proud
And really done "The Goods".

But then, Oh dear, Oh deary me
a frightful bang was heard
A flash of light across the sky
And rain fast action spurred.
Cushions grabbed and chairs tipped up
A rush to get indoors
Minutes later rain had stopped
Blue sky appeared once more

Some outside and some indoors 
The chatter carried on
Until at last it's time to go 
So thank you everyone
Who came and made the day go well
Perhaps next year we'll meet again 
With lots of tales to tell
But just beware there's work to do
So  plan and use your heads
For Grimsargh now is full of sound  
of loud and lengthy Zeds,,,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !

Caption Pic 20th July

"Have you nothing to say for yourself? You ought to be ashamed!"
"What's yer name son ?"  "Rusty Shawe sir."
"Gormley ? Huh !  Gormless if you ask me. Fancy leaving us here all these years...AND with no clothes on."
 "Well, if you find your glasses ... you might be able to look for your clothes!"

HAMBLETON

WYRED 'n' TIRED !  5 Miles 

Strugglers :- John W, Anthony, Vic, Paddy
                        Mike, Mick, Martin, Danny.

We parked in Williamson Park on the southern edge of Hambleton, This was possibly one of the nicest most "Thoughtful" recreation grounds we have visited. It even had an area dedicated to "Teenagers"

Who's kiddin' Who ?

We left the park and headed south towards the river. We first had to follow the quiet country lanes before leaving them at "Rose Farm".

The way through the farm was by no means clear as there were non of the usual little yellow arrows guiding the way. Compounding our confusion were the number of gates and lanes leading away from the farmyard.

Danny waits patiently for the stragglers to catch up . SORRY ! We don't have "Stragglers" only walkers who choose a more "comfortable" pace.

As we left the "grazed" grass of the first fields we got the first hints of what was to come. We are as you can see, entering an area of loooooong grass.

The next farm we entered was rather a sprawling affair and we explored several "avenues" (including this one) before settling on a route which was then confirmed by a friendly and helpful farmer. 

Soon after,  we arrived at the "Levee" which edged the course of the Wyre and it's extensive marsh areas. Here the  "Wyre Way" a national long distance path SHOULD have taken us forward. In fact the path disappeared …. submerged under nettles , brambles, and long,
foot-snagging grass. PATH THERE WAS NOT !

Were we on the right path ?  The Map said so. The GPS said so. But there was little other evidence. Until, that is, we found a stile. Broken down and buried by the overgrowth. BUT.... it did say "Public Footpath. 

After twenty minutes battling we saw another footpath sign some way out into the marsh. So with some difficulty we slithered and clambered down the steep side of the levee and cautiously tiptoed across the marsh. 

…… only to encounter yet more long difficult grass and reeds.

This is a footpath ?

Mick was in the Vanguard and here he is approaching the Marshy footpath sign. (post)

At the post Jim C points out where the footpath is..... or isn't !
The path continued to be hard work until we reached a more reasonable patch where we decided to take coffee. We settled down on the edge of a rather murky, muddy creek

We had not been there long before the tide began to pour into the creek. Marshes with incoming tides are never a good idea so we soon packed up and left.

Whilst not being so overgrown the path remained difficult with hidden gullies to trap the unwary (J.W.)

and it wasn't long before the long reedy grass once again became a challenge.

By now the wide expanse of marsh had narrowed down to a small strip alongside the main river channel.

Not far ahead of us now we could see the shard Bridge and the riverside hotel nearby.

At last, after a morning struggling along a path totally overgrown and the ankle wrecking swampy terrain, we were able to climb away from the river and onto a road.

Not for long, however, as we crossed the busy road and quickly dropped back down to the river on the other side of the Shard Bridge.

The well defined path you can see in the above photos soon reverted to a narrow track which in turn soon disappeared under the thick rushes and reeds.  Lunchtime had passed before we decided that a large log at the edge of the "Jungle was the only suitable spot we were likely to find at which to dine.

but we couldn't all fit on the log.

Martin and Anthony are actually sitting on the path !

Time to move on and I'm sure that Paddy and Jim were not quite as grey-haired when the walk began.

The path continued to challenge our, by now, wearied legs and it was not until the outskirts of Hambleton hove into sight that anything resembling a path passed under our feet.

"This could be a path" says John, "No . my mistake. it ends here."

A small, lonely blue flower had caught our attention earlier in the walk but as we approached Hambleton there were swathes of them - but what are they ?

 We arrived at a point where a deep creek came right up to the levee and rather than walk along the coast to the top end of Hambleton we decided to cut in land and follow the suburban roads back to the cars.

The walk, however, was not ready to loosen it's grip just yet and help was needed to clamber up the slippery slopes of the levee.

Tough as the walk was it was not without interest and the Wyre estuary did afford some austerely attractive views. Here Mike pauses for a while, perhaps to reflect on the good points we may have left unnoticed.

One more stile to negotiate and then back to the cars for Martin's shandy and Mick's cakes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mick.  All in all a 5 mile walk with an 7/8 mile effort !!

Paddy prepares to tackle the world's easiest "Limbo" challenge

THE END

….but what were those flowers ?

COMMON SEA LAVENDER

Caption Pic 13th July

"She's forgotten the rum, again!  You can't get the staff 
these days!"
  "Where's mi cup?"
"Don't worry ossifer. I shall be alright on this park bench for the night."
Mike didn't notice the nail in the pallet but he's well aware of it now.
 "Oh dear are you on your own? Have you no friends? ..... Or have they left you?"

   "Oh *!*!* I wish I was on mi bike!"

Copster Green. More Photos

Having parked alongside the green we were in the process of changing into our boots and spats when suddenly a heavy shower of rain caused our party to start getting into their wet wear. Oh no!
came the cry. Whats to do? It was Danny, he'd left his waterproof jacket in his car, back at Anthony's house. Help was on hand, in the form of Paddy, who offered to lend Danny his cape, for which Danny was most grateful. Thanks Paddy 

Leaving the village green behind we headed down to the A59, crossed over the busy road, and continued down Park Gate Road,
an unmade road, fringed along one side by a row of quaint cottages.

We carried on along the road to it's end, passing through the farmyard of Park Gate farm. Scaling a stile at the end of the road
we found ourselves in a large meadow. A signpost gave us the option of continuing on ahead, or turning right. Anthony led us off to the right. Off we trudged through long wet grass, and across another stile, where we adjourned for a coffee break.

As we sat enjoying our brew, a group of walkers were spotted in the distance. All were wearing, over their back packs, pink waterproof covers. A school party doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards, said John, which was confirmed when they
caught up with us. The group were all girls except for one young man. They were from a school in Blackburn.

Leaving us in their wake, they headed off into the mist.

After trudging through two more fields of wet grass, we were relieved to cross a stile and enter into woodland. A short distance further on we emerged onto a narrow road, on the other side of which was Marles Wood and car park.

The path into the wood, on the other side of the car park, met up with the River Ribble at a lovely spot that Anthony had earmarked for our lunch spot, but unfortunately the D of E group had got there before us. A flock of geese were sitting camouflaged among the rocks on the opposite bank

With tummies rumbling, we pressed on in search of an alternative lunch venue.

This woodland way alongside the river was a wonderfully pleasant section of today's walk.

However caution was required, as many tree roots were causing trip hazards for the unwary walker.

Once out of the wood we found a nice grassy bank on which to perch whilst we proceeded to pacify our grumbling tummies.

Would you believe it? The sun has started to break through.

Suitably nourished we trudge on with renewed vigour - You speak for yourself, I hear you cry - and soon catch sight of the recently completed replacement for the old Dinkley footbridge. that was
damaged by storm Frank in 2015 

 I think the planners for the new bridge were determined that, should all other bridges between there and the Irish sea get washed away in a catastrophic flood, their bridge alone would survive.

New bridge photo, but same old geezers.

To my mind Dinkley Hall standing alone presented a much superior view than it does now, obscured by the new buildings.
But what do I know?

Is this security installation to protect a highly sensitive Government building? No, just a house

Some beautiful flower borders were to be seen along this Lane.

Reaching a T Junction at the end of the lane, across on the other side and to the right was an overgrown stile. Having traversed the stile, we had a large area of pasture land to cross.

What a magnificent specimen!

Anthony behind bars.

A final coffee break

And off we go again

Back at Copster Green, a roadside flower display.
Thanks for the loan of your cape Paddy, and thanks for the shandy Martin
D.K.