WALKERS :- John W, Vic, Anthony,
Martin, Paddy, Danny.
A little confusion about where exactly to park led to a slightly delayed start
With one member still searching for a parking spot we set off (slowly) through the small "Frenchwood Rec." following the raised Levee (?) towards Avenham Park. It started to rain.
It was not long before we arrived at the point where the little park merged with the larger one.
It is Raining
A few days previously some young men (youths) tried to use ropes to climb this bridge and had to be rescued by the Fire Service. We chose not to emulate their adventurous spirit.
Through Avenham and on into the equally beautiful Miller Park then under yet another Railway bridge and out into South Meadow Lane. This was only for a few metres before we set off past the Continental Pub heading for Broadgate.
Knowing that we were near to the home of Dave, one of our Meanderthal comrades, we decided to knock on his door and say a distanced "Hello". David was not at home but his wife Liz came to the door to say hello and wish us a good, if wet, day's walking.
A little reminder that our walk was built around the
River Ribble.
As we left Dave's house our missing walker caught up with us and we were soon crossing the Old Bridge over the river.
It is still raining
Paddy and Martin are still on the Old Bridge.
Can you see them ?
The stone on the South side of the bridge certainly caused some interest. It might be the remains of a former Bridge. A bridge , it seems , was built in 1755 and fell down in 1765. Cowboy builders even then !
Looking for a dry place to have our coffee break we turned immediately left and followed the riverside upstream. After leaving the housing area we came to a large willow tree with a good area of dry ground. COFFEE TIME !
"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree"
from a poem by Joyce Kilmer
A short backtrack through a housing estate 'till we arrived at the Lower Penwortham road which we followed for only a few metres before leaving the road to follow the old railway track.
You may have noticed a certain mistiness on some of the photos and spots on others. RAIN ! The continuous rain made it impossible to take photos without the camera getting wet.
We continued our walk following the abandoned railway and were pleased to meet up with some old friends coming the other way.
Onwards towards Tram Road our next target and hopefully a dry spot to have lunch. The railway took us past the old Catholic College Sports fields. Scene of many a humiliation and occasional (very occasional) triumphs . Your writer distinctly remembers on one cross country run, as us mere mortals, lumbered around the field before taking to the country lanes, watching one individual streaking away into the distance. The next time I saw him was on the television running in the Olympic Steeple Chase.
Just before we joined up with Tram Road we came to the site of VERNONS medical dressings manufacturer. Long gone now but the sports facilities were still there. The bowling green shelters provided excellent dry dining space. There was even the opportunity for some exercise....it was declined.
We continued our walk following the abandoned railway and were pleased to meet up with some old friends coming the other way.
Onwards towards Tram Road our next target and hopefully a dry spot to have lunch. The railway took us past the old Catholic College Sports fields. Scene of many a humiliation and occasional (very occasional) triumphs . Your writer distinctly remembers on one cross country run, as us mere mortals, lumbered around the field before taking to the country lanes, watching one individual streaking away into the distance. The next time I saw him was on the television running in the Olympic Steeple Chase.
Just before we joined up with Tram Road we came to the site of VERNONS medical dressings manufacturer. Long gone now but the sports facilities were still there. The bowling green shelters provided excellent dry dining space. There was even the opportunity for some exercise....it was declined.
Just before we joined Tram Rd. Martin met someone he had not seen for thirty years. He was driving a tractor. (Might have been a horse and cart last time)
With the rest of us waiting (in the rain) we began to fear the catch up conversation might last just as long.
At last we joined the Tram Rd. and if you will pardon the cliché, this really is an iconic piece of Preston's history. Built to link the Leeds Liverpool canal to the Lancaster canal.
The next two photos were taken just to Prove JW was there
Still raining
With the rest of us waiting (in the rain) we began to fear the catch up conversation might last just as long.
The next two photos were taken just to Prove JW was there
(if only in "Fuzzy Felt" form)
Sadly of course Tram Bridge itself is sealed off and banned to the public for safety reasons. Surely this equally iconic structure must be replaced or repaired.
Paddy goes to investigate much to the amused tolerance of a line of seagulls perched above him.
I wonder if he noticed the graffiti to his left. Perhaps I shouldn't have pointed it out.
We were now back on the Ribble banks heading towards London Rd Bridge.
I think it's raining
Others, too , were enjoying the rain after their own fashion.
Approaching the A6 at Walton le Dale near to London Rd Bridge.
And so back to the cars Still raining but we are all well equipped with waterproofs that it was only small patches that were damp
THE END
STILL raining !
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