Manchester Canals Walk . Walkers Paddy Anthony Vic Mike and Danny five and a half miles.

After parking up at the retail outlet at Salford Quays, we set off to catch the tram into the centre of Manchester.

We alighted at Deansgate, beneath the modern 47 storey Beetham Tower. Leaving the tram station we descend to street level. After cross the road towards the canal and we are in Manchester's industrial past.

From street level we descend again, to join the tow path of the Rochdale canal. Our walk today is to follow the Rochdale canal
towards Rochdale, before branching off along the Ashton canal, which we will follow to the National Cycle Centre. But that will have to wait. We first of all head in the opposite direction for about 300 yds, to the Castlefield Junction where we know that there are seats to be had, so we can have our brew in relative comfort.

The Rochdale canal behind me, links up with the Bridgewater canal and the River Medway.

After brew we set off back along the Rochdale canal the way we came for about half a mile, before we are diverted through Manchester's gay quarter, (Canal Street).

Even the scaffolding is displaying the rainbow colours that have come to be associated with the LGBT movement.

Back on the canal we reach a blocked off section where we cross over a lock gate to the opposite side.

Surely they,re not going to leave it like that.

An excellent redevelopment on the banks of the Ashton canal.

A section of the canal that has been preserved as part of Manchester's industrial heritage.

A late lunch in the Velodrome

From here it was just a short walk to catch the tram back to  Salford Quays.

Caption Pic 25th Jan

"That's it. He's not coming out until he says sorry!"
"Is he on 24 hours guard?"
It looks like he's ready to shoot!!
"Let me out ! Let me out ! I was only joking about Danny leaving the group."
"Right, who's next?"

Blackburn. Rovers Vic Mike Anthony Mick and Danny. 5.7 miles

Another urban walk today, starting from Blackburn's Corporation Park.

Across the road from where we parked was this des- res

The power operated gates of which would be more at home on a far grander property.

Entering the park we make our way up to the top walkway, in search of the panopticon.

Here we are, but on a murky day like today, the view across the valley left a lot to be desired. 

Heading down through the park towards the town centre.

A baby squirrel keeps watch as we pass by.

This tree in such a prominent position looks like it's holding it's arms out and saying... How do you like my park?
We voted it tree of the week.

Once out of the park we make our way across town, skirting the outside of what was once Thwaites Brewery, now reduced to a pile of rubble and arrive at Eanam Wharf on the banks of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal

After a browse around the wharf, a relic of Blackburn's industrial past, we head west for a bout half a mile before leaving the canal and making our way back into the centre of town. Anthony had arranged for us to meet up with our friends, John, Martin and James at the Cathedral Cafe for dinner.

After dinner we bid farewell to our three amigo's and head back to the park.

An unusual artistic creation that we passed on the way. Is there a message that the artist is trying to get across?

Not far now, but uphill all the way back to the cars.

Ascent of Pen-y-Ghent. 2280 ft. From Horton in Ribblesdale. Walkers Danny Dominic and Aaron

Aaron aged 13 kindly offered to carry granddads rucksack. On our way to Brackenbottom from where we would start the ascent.

The rocky crags skirting this end of Pen-y-Ghent

The paths for the most part were remarkably good, both up and down.

The rocky gritstone debris below the upper crag.

The stratified upper gritstone crag.

On the summit where we had an early lunch. Being a Sunday, and a nice day, there was a constant stream of walkers coming up, many with their dogs.

After lunch we crossed a stile to the other side of a wall to begin the descent. There was a marked difference in temperature on this side of the wall, and care was needed due to ice on some of the steps.

A couple of adventurous gents took a quicker way down.

Hull Pot, reputed to have been formed by the collapse of an underground cavern.

We finished our grub off here. whilst basking in the winter sunshine. Aaron is engrossed in his music.

Leaving Hull Pot as the day was still young and the weather fine, we decided to extend our walk by a couple of miles. Looking back, The summit was now blanketed in cloud.

Almost back to Horton.
A total of 8 miles and 1967 ft of ascent.

Caption Pic 18th Jan

"I'm sure I've seen those legs before, somewhere!"
"Ah ... but they're headless aren't they!"
"Is this a game of 'hide-and-seek' or  'follow my leader'?"
"Must be hide and seek. No-one would be daft enough for the other."
"Ahem ! This is Vic we are talking about." 
"Hollow tree. Hollow tree. Leave your legs to dangle Free," (Hymn Tune) 
"Oh the Relief ! I've been looking for a private place all afternoon.
"Call of nature …… Can't ignore it ."

Blackpool.......Two 'spoons walk!?

Blackpool promenade walk....like we've never done it before!

5 miles, 7 walkers, 2 lunchtime visitors and two pubs.

Walkers: Danny, Jim C, Paddy, Vic, Mick K, Mike H and Anthony.

Martin and John W joined us for lunch.

Blackpool promenade has been a popular walk with us for many years but we've never included a visit to, not one, but two Wetherspoons pubs.

We parked the cars near the Solarium at south shore. 

Our Blackpool Meanderthal, Mick K joined us as we headed to 'spoons no.1, 'The Velvet Coaster'. It takes it name from one of the original rides on the Pleasure Beach. Morning coffee was taken here.

Suitably refreshed, we resumed our walk to the Tower. Nestling in the tower building is 'spoons No. 2, 'The Albert and the Lion' named after the Stanley Holloway monologue. (See below)

 A leisurely lunch was taken here and we were joined by Martin and John 'Two sticks'. 

"......and another small fish & chips?"

Eventually, we resumed our walk with a brisk walk of 2.5 miles back to the cars, trying to avoid the drizzle that had been forecast.


Albert and the Lion
by Stanley Holloway

There's a seaside place called Blackpool

That's noted for fresh air and fun

And Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom 

Went there with young Albert, their son.

A fine little lad were young Albert

All dressed in his best, quite a swell

He'd a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle;

The finest that Woolworth's could sell.

They didn't think much to the ocean

The waves they were piddlin' and small

There were no wrecks and nobody drownded

'Fact, nothin' to laugh at at all!

So, seeking for further amusement

They paid, and went into the zoo

Where they'd lions and tigers and camels

And old ale and sandwiches, too.

There were one great big lion called Wallace

Whose nose was all covered with scars;

He lay in a som-nu-lent posture

With the side of 'is face on the bars.

Now Albert 'ad 'eard about lions-

'Ow they was ferocious and wild;

To see Wallace lyin' so peaceful

Just didn't seem right to the child.

So straightway the brave little fella

Not showin' a morsel of fear

Took 'is stick with the 'orse's 'ead 'andle

And shoved it in Wallace's ear.

You could see that the lion din't like it

For givin' a kind of a roll

'E pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im

And swallered the little lad - 'ole!

Now mother 'ad seen this occurrence

And not knowin' what to do next

She 'ollered "Yon lion's et Albert!"

An' father said "Eee, I am vexed!"

They complained to an animal keeper

Who said "My! Wot a nasty mis'ap!

Are you sure it's your boy 'e's eaten?"

Pa said, "Am I sure?..... There's 'is cap!"

The manager 'ad to be sent for;

'E came and 'e said "Wot's to-do?"

Ma said "Yon lion's et Albert

And 'im in 'is Sunday clothes, too!"

Father said "Right's right, young fella

I think it's a shame and a sin

To 'ave our son et by a lion

And after we've paid to come in."

The manager wanted no trouble;

He took out his purse right away

Sayin' "'Ow much to settle the matter?"

Pa said "Wot do you usually pay?"

But Mother 'ad turned a bit awkward

When she saw where 'er Albert 'ad gone

She said "No, someone's got to be summonsed!"

So that was decided upon.

And off they all went t' p'lice station

In front of a Magistrate chap;

They told what 'ad 'appened to Albert

And proved it by showing 'is cap.

The Magistrate gave 'is opinion

That no one was really to blame

And 'e said that 'e 'oped the Ramsbottoms

Would 'ave further sons to their name.

At that Mother got proper blazin':

"And thank you, sir, kindly, " said she-

"Wot, spend all our lives raisin' children

To feed ruddy lions? Not me!"

Ascent of Lingmoor Fell. Walkers Michael D and Danny K

.

Leaving the village of Elterwater we began the ascent climbing up along woodland paths.

Out of the woods the snow capped summit of Wetherlam lay ahead of us.

But Wetherlam was not our target. Our path turned to the right, little Langdale Tarn is in the valley below.

Looking back, Elterwater is in the centre of the picture and Windermere more distant and to the right.

The temperature was a few degrees above freezing, but the wind chill made it feel much colder. We found a sheltered spot to have our morning brew though.

Michael on the summit of Lingmoor Fell. The wind was wild.

Danny on the Summit.

The Langdale Pikes under dark clouds make an atmospheric backdrop to this picture.

Blea Tarn in the valley below.

We dropped down to a lower level path on the way back passing many part built structures such as these which would have been used by the quarrymen.

We had dinner in the shelter of a small disused quarry

This gate has been converted into a stile by welding footplates onto the rails.

The massive Burlington Quarrie just outside the village of Chapel Stile.

The Britannia Inn back in Elterwater.
6.5 miles total ascent of 2675 ft
Thanks for another good walk Michael.