TODDLERS :- Jim C, James, Vic, Anthony, Mike, Martin
Mick, John R, John W, Martin, Danny.
"Three and a half Miles ! " I hear you think. "What sort of a walk's that ?"
Well, the sort of walk we had planned actually. This was to be John W's last walk for some months so we opted for a short , sociable ramble.
It took a little while to gather our walkers together. (Martin intended to join us later.) before we set off along the perimeter of the Nature Reserve.
Many of the things we passed had small notices on them. We guessed they were part of a children's treasure hunt set up during the school holidays.
The path had not of course escaped the drenching of the past few days.
The path took us along an elevated embankment giving good views across the reserve particularly of the children's play area. A slightly more grown up section of which was right next to our path.
"Oi ! ...come back you lot. We're taking a little break here
Super fit Danny has a go on one of the rope obstacles.
….and equally enthusiastic Vic tries out another.
The sun, you will notice, is shining brightly.
Only a little further down the path another adventure "Toy" caught Vic's eye and we were unable to dissuade him. Why would we ?
A couple of hundred yards further on and we arrived at a point at which the "Guild Wheel" passed through the reserve. We stopped briefly to survey the Wetland on the other side.
A notice attached to gate post advised us to watch out for flocks of long-tailed tits in the trees. Just a little further and a noise above our heads caused us to look up. No long-tailed tits..... but the ghostly white underside of a barn owl flew over our heads.
Barn owls abroad in the daytime can mean that they are struggling to feed themselves. Perhaps the sodden fields have driven the mice etc. into drier, more sheltered places.
We continued along the tunnel-like hedged footpath until we reached the edge of the ancient Boilton Wood.
The Guild Wheel here goes steeply up hill (Really steeply) but we veered to the left to enter the wood.
JW demonstrates that there is plenty of room for him in "Kissing Gates" in spite of comments to the contrary.
The path through the wood wove it's way between trees young and old with one particular large specimen incurring James' disdain,. "What a silly place to put a tree." he exclaimed, "Right in the middle of the path." Chicken and Egg I think.
The undergrowth, too, was rich and thick with some growths being of particularly interest. Well Paddy thought so.
Occasionally we were forced to walk the plank !
As we emerged from the wood the path took us back to the sides of the ponds/lakes. The first two were appropriately named "Nook Pool" and "Ribbleton Pool" . Appropriate, because up through the the woods behind us was "Moor Nook" estate which is part of the "Ribbleton" ward of the City of Preston.
The undergrowth, too, was rich and thick with some growths being of particularly interest. Well Paddy thought so.
Occasionally we were forced to walk the plank !
As we emerged from the wood the path took us back to the sides of the ponds/lakes. The first two were appropriately named "Nook Pool" and "Ribbleton Pool" . Appropriate, because up through the the woods behind us was "Moor Nook" estate which is part of the "Ribbleton" ward of the City of Preston.
Here James adopts the L S Lowry walking style as seen on many of his paintings.
Over to our right as we followed the lakeside walk was a quite unusual tree. It had been blown down and continued to grow in an arched bow shape.
At this point we received a phone call from Martin who had been unable to join us at the start. He had arrived and wanted to know where to meet us. "On the Guild Wheel section), we suggested. John W was severely reprimanded as he had encouraged Martin to 'phone when he arrived, assuring him he would keep his mobile 'phone handy. It lay unheard in the depths of his rucksack.
Over to our right as we followed the lakeside walk was a quite unusual tree. It had been blown down and continued to grow in an arched bow shape.
"Tree of the week" perhaps ?
As we continued we spotted some rather large bird footprints which we thought must be a heron (larger than ducks and not webbed).
Soon after we met up with Martin at a point where the Guild Wheel ran close to the road into the reserve.
From here a smaller track led us towards the "Floating Village" where drinks and lunch were to be acquired.
As we walked along this narrow path a notice told us to look out for the Grey Heron and sure enough there it was motionless and silent as it waited for frog or fish to pass by.
The "Floating Village" had an excellent café where drinks and food were available at not outrageous prices. Super Spuds and Scrumptions Scones prevailed.
We were not alone !
Once again we lingered and had refills of our coffees and teas as we sat chatting in the warm sunshine surrounded by delightful views. As we sat, Mike displayed his ornithological credentials again by immediately recognising that the large flock of birds wheeling around in the sky over the pools were in fact "Peewits" (Lapwings or Green Plovers) He was then seriously amused by the aforementioned Grey Heron which was carefully walking on the surface of an area we had supposed was deep water.
BUT....eventually we had to move
We left by the boardwalk passing over one of the drawbridges that lift at the close of each day.
Then we paused for traditional "Bridge" photo. This time, however, it was a boardwalk Photo.
The "Floating Village" had an excellent café where drinks and food were available at not outrageous prices. Super Spuds and Scrumptions Scones prevailed.
Mick and James were not dieting but had already scoffed their purchases.
We were not alone !
Grab it quick. We'll buy a couple of oranges on the way home.
Once again we lingered and had refills of our coffees and teas as we sat chatting in the warm sunshine surrounded by delightful views. As we sat, Mike displayed his ornithological credentials again by immediately recognising that the large flock of birds wheeling around in the sky over the pools were in fact "Peewits" (Lapwings or Green Plovers) He was then seriously amused by the aforementioned Grey Heron which was carefully walking on the surface of an area we had supposed was deep water.
BUT....eventually we had to move
We left by the boardwalk passing over one of the drawbridges that lift at the close of each day.
Then we paused for traditional "Bridge" photo. This time, however, it was a boardwalk Photo.
John W was taking the photo and Vic, in spite of frequent calls, had wandered off somewhere.
Once off the boardwalk we took the path upwards to the embankment where a left turn took us in the direction of the far car park. But then a badger held our attention.
Vic was a little taken aback that there were those amongst us who didn't know that "Brock" was another name for "Badger" .
We were to meet more badgers as we made our way along this path.
Mayhap this little fellow attends the prestigious "Blue Coats" school.
Vic was quite excited by the various Damselflies and Dragonflies that were flitting around the paths and bushes . One type of small dragonfly was particularly numerous.
The "Ruddy Darter" …….. and they certainly were. They were darting about all over the ruddy place !
Then we came to a frog which seemed to be guarding an unofficial path down to the, now busy, car park.
Mr. Froggy was at pains to tell us that whenever he opened his mouth some fool put their foot in it.
Almost at journey's end now but be careful what you say about the place. There appears to be yet another Badger hiding behind a bush and listening to every word.
A short but pleasant outing and a farewell from John W until sometime in the late Autumn.
THE END
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