SOUTHPORT

CASUALLY  or  CASUALTY 5 Miles

Walking Wounded :- John W, Martin, Danny, Mike, 

                                    James. John R, Mick, Vic.

Today we had an early morning alarm.   NO.... not from a clock but a 'phone call. Anthony was in hospital after a feeling decidedly unwell the previous evening.  Michael, his brother, assured us it did not seem serious so the planned walk went ahead.

A gentle "amble" by the sea had been planned.  A "CASUAL" stroll. So, after picking John R up in Penwortham, we parked up at the northern end of Southport and set off along the sea wall.

It was to be another warm day so plenty of stops were "de rigeur".

"That's a hard question" says John. "How many eggs in a dozen ?...…… er"

On the horizon in this photo is Southport pier. Our first target.

Up the steps and onto the busy pier.

Busy Pier ?        It was busy....'onest."

….and so to the end of the pier show. (and coffee time) Remember, dear reader "There's no show without Punch". but which one is Punch ?

"  'er indoors" had told John that he must wear his hat if it was sunny. Here he is being a good boy.

Or he'll get shot...…...Ooh !

On such warm sunny days it can be difficult to drag oneself to one's feet and get going again. But we did !

 There was lots of activity on the pier. Not least the two "trains" going backwards and forwards along it's length.

…..and of course there were "facilities" so it took us a little while to actual make our way off the pier. There were lots of things to attract our attention as we walked along it's length. 

Not least a sort of open air "Tea Dance" as we dropped down to "Terra Firma".

We turned right and picked our way through families with children, elderly people with walking sticks and some in wheelchairs, youngsters on bikes,  indeed a real kaleidoscope of people. White, brown, black and of course RED ( the sun you know). All enjoying themselves harmoniously in the wonderful sunshine of Southport. 

Who's that on the left. If it's Vic he seems to have both aged and shrunk !

As we approached the end of the Marine Lake the crowd definitely thinned out until we arrived at the bowling greens where there was plenty of seating and an atmosphere of peaceful calm.  Lunchtime. 

Banana time again !

Vic "Super Bowl" Johnson was fascinated by the bowling but as it was "Flat Green" not "Crown Green" there were those amongst us who couldn't fathom it at all. Time to get going again.

We did not get very far , however, for just as we left the green what should there be but an ice-cream van. With the day now being pretty warm, we couldn't resist.

Cornets all round . Thank You James !

As we walked along the banks of the Marina there were lots of boats on the lake and lots of families with blankets spread out on the grass having picnics. It was reminiscent of impressionist paintings ( "Sur L'Herbe" and all that ) or an Edwardian seaside post card. Absolutely delightful. 

Up onto the elegant bridge and over the marina heading for Lord Street.

Once over the bridge we continued up a seemingly quiet, shady lane. (It really wasn't)

As we walked up the lane a boy on a bike came charging across. We stopped to let him pass and what did we get...………………………………………… A charming "Thank You"..... What a wonderful place the world is when the sun shines.

There were "Facilities" at the end of the lane and some of us availed ourselves of them.

"Here I am Broken hearted

Paid 40p and only...."  

……….I'm sure you know the rest

Across the road and down past the seaside shops to Lord Street,

Lord Street !     Left turn and now beginning to head back towards the cars. Without Anthony to guide us we seem to miss "Weatherspoons" as we looked for further refreshment. 

Samaritans ? Wrong sort of refreshment really.

Works of art - refreshment for the soul ?  Not today thank you.

Ah now. This looks promising.

"I'll bring it out to you" said a delightful young lady.

"Five coffees, one tea, a half of lager and a pint of coke"

Thank you Martin,

And here it all is.

We sat in the warm afternoon sun for rather longer than we intended. Chatting and laughing about anything and everything until at last we dragged ourselves to our feet to finish our walk.

Walk ????   

Did we actually walk as well as chatter, laugh and joke, drink coffees, eat ice-cream and enjoy the sunshine ?………. Yes , We actually did.  

and so back to the cars after your writer, at least, judged it to have been  a blissfully pleasant day out with friends.

Thanks everybody !

THE END