CHORLEY

A STROLL IN THE PARK  (Not very far)

Strollers :- Anthony, Vic, Martin, John W, Danny.

A rather grey, dismal morning saw a small group of Meanderthals pulling into the car park of Astley Park in Chorley.

Today's leader had planned to spend a little time exploring the area around the house before setting of on our "Stroll". (Walled Garden, Sensory Garden, Ancient Burial Mound etc.) Unfortunately most of the parks attractions were Virus Victims and were closed. 

The rather poignant memorial garden was available so we had a quiet look around that.

Then off we went pausing briefly to put on our waterproofs  (the fine drizzle was getting a little less fine) and admire the colourful well kept flower beds in the park..

There is a small but fascinating museum in the building behind Danny but it was one of the buildings not available at present.

The path took us down a short flight of steps and alongside the neat and well maintained public bowling greens.

Danny went the wrong way...........     "No I didn't I was taking photos !"

A cheeky Carrion Crow strutted across the lawns watching us with a beady eye.

From here the path dropped quite steeply into the wooded area (Great Wood) and a bridge took us over the famous (Eh ?) River Chor. Some debate took place as to the correct pronunciation of this name. The Locals pronounce Chorley as "Charlie" so perhaps it was the famous "River CHAR" ?

This river was obviously Covid aware as even it's stones were"  Socially Distanced "

We carried on through the wood. It was quite busy with dog walkers and others passing by, with caution but invariable offering a friendly greeting

The woodland on either side of the path held some quite magnificent old trees as well as some fallen heroes. Throughout the wood there were birdboxes to be seen

It wasn't long before we came to a "Cross roads". we took the path to the right and crossed a solid well built bridge over the river and into a narrow arm of the wood which would take us back to Chancery Road.

The continuous rain of the last few day had left the paths very muddy but still easily travelled.

The path now ran along the edge of a housing estate with the wooded valley on the other side. A clearing in the wood with several fallen tree trunks invited us to linger awhile and have a coffee break. We accepted the invitation.

Coffee (and comfort) breaks accomplished we continued along the path eventually arriving at a service road to the housing estate. A right turn took us quickly to the side road leading to Astley village and then to the Chorley by-pass road but not before gifting us the pleasure of a display of delightful wild flowers in full bloom.

For the next twenty minutes or so we were on the footpath along side the busy road which took us past the "Fire Service Training Centre", TESCOS, and back down to the lower entrance to Astley Park.

The entrance to the park is "guarded" by a rather curious building, Very realistic "Mock Tudor" in style but far too small to be a real house and too large to be a "Wendy" house -  unless Wendy has grown since I was a lad.

John W decided it would be a suitable residence for an overgrown Garden Gnome so here he is at the Magic Well making a wish.........  He is still with us,  Ah well....... !  

Onwards and upwards. The road (or track) climbed gently upwards back towards the Hall and the cafe but we were not destined to approach from that direction.
Just at the point were we had turned right coming down was another track which turned right going up. That was our path......

Not far along this path our attention was drawn to another bridge which was some way off the path. Being Meanderthals we couldn't miss the chance of a "Bridge " photo.

Descending to this bridge we met a group of ladies  who, were not quite sure of the correct way through the wood.  When we told them that we too were unsure of our way they told us exactly which way we should go and them quickly left saying. "We might be wrong so we're getting well away from you " They then scuttled off with much laughing and giggling.

A short about turn up the way we had come and once more on our way.

The path through the woods, indeed the whole of the park, was well maintained and a credit to Chorley Council. We continued to meet all manner of walkers. Many with dogs and also with children. All on leads and well trained naturally

Another irresistible bridge

I did say we met many people happy to chat (from a distance) particularly if they had a dog. Then they always had a doggy tale to tell..... all very friendly  BUT..........

..... does the Mrs.  know about this Danny ?

Very soon after we emerged from the woods into the open parkland. At this point John W expected the "Town" gates into the park to be on our right. They WERE on our right but his memories of this part of the park did not match reality. "Old Beardie" was rather confused about all this 😟.

The park was really busy and although we were no longer sheltered from the drizzle we looked for a lunch spot......... and found one !

Vic seemed to be taking social distancing rather seriously

Nearing the end of our short walk now but under a tree a little way from the track was a young lady with an inordinate amount of food. When asked she explained that it was her daughters birthday and that she had brought all her pals to the park to play games and have a picnic.  Wonderful !

We continued our walk and also continued to marvel at the way the park was so beautifully maintained.

The Tudor Mansion, Astley Hall,  is only open to visitors at weekends and not at all at the moment.

And so to journeys end and the car park. Here treats awaited us. It was Anthony's birthday today and the custom is that the Birthday Boy  provides cake to finish the day and celebrate.

and that wasn't all. Martin, has for years provided ice cold drinks to refresh one and all at the end of each walk so the cake was washed down with "Lashings" of Ginger Beer.

The Meanderthals are exceedingly grateful for this libation especially on hot summer days. To show their gratitude Martin was presented with a pewter Tankard with the following words upon it.....

MARTIN

For refreshing All

Cheers and Thanks

THE MEANDERTHALS

THE END

p.s The walk was only 3 miles but don't tell anybody...sshhhhh !