LANCASHIRE HOT-POTTER 5.25 Miles
WALKERS:- Vic, Anthony, Danny, Mike, Martin, John W.
The day was warm even as we set off along the canal and away from Glasson Dock.
In the canal basin were some magnificent boats....
.....and others a little less so.
The little church a short distance along the towpath usually holds our interest for several minutes but with our target being another church we passed it by with a nod of respect.
Here's Mike looking like an escapee from the rock band "Dr Hook".
By the side of the canal we were puzzled by this symbol carved into the stone. Any ideas ?
For long stretches we couldn't even see the canal (only a metre away) because of the overgrown vegetation.
The main Lancaster canal boasted that it had no locks . The Glasson arm, however, has and we stopped for a coffee break when we reached the first one.
As we sat drinking our "Brews" we saw that we were not alone. Can you spot the company in this photo ?
Yes of course you can....... here it is . It hardly moved all the time we were there.
Drinks over we continued along the canal.
As we approached the next lock Danny waited behind to take a "Bridge" photo which he will no doubt include when he posts his part of the blog.
As well as the heron we met other wildlife as we walked most notably a family of swans.
Mum and Dad
The kids......
The next set of locks marked the point at which we were to leave the canal , This did not prove straightforward.
The stone bridge just before the locks appeared to be overgrown and there appeared to be no access to it. Obviously the bridge at the locks themselves was the way to go.
But No........ this bridge merely took us onto an area which led nowhere.
No ! Turn around this is not the way !
After much head scratching and searching we eventually found a stile (not this one) which led us into a field and up to the overgrown bridge. So overgrown was the bridge that your writer for one was severely nettled as he crossed over it .
Climbing onto the "Weedy" bridge
The view from the "Weedy" bridge.
Having left the canal we had several fields to cross before reaching our target "St Thomas and St Elizabeth's " church at Thurnham. As midday approached the temperature was steadily rising. It was getting 'OT !
Arriving at the church our less than "Holy" desire was to find a shady spot to sit and have our lunch. It was no longer getting hot . It WAS hot !
The only shaded area was the church porch were the stone benches were occupied by some beautiful floral arrangements, We carefully moved these and returned them before leaving.
Danny however chose to dine alone as seen here.
I think he took photos of the occupied church porch and hopefully these too, will appear in his blog contribution.
A lady passing by expressed her concern that such elderly gentlemen should be walking in this heat and offered us blankets to sit on and and water, both of which she had in her car. Thank you kind lady but we are experienced and well prepared. (Rucksacks heavy with extra water bottles).
Money can buy many things but I don't think that includes eternal happiness. At least I hope not !
The Gillow family mausoleum. Not exactly a cheap headstone. Perhaps a product of it's time and unfair to judge in our time.
Just a short distance away from the church was Thurnham Hall which has gone through several guises and is now a hotel and private apartments.
Just out of picture is a man with a lighted taper.......take aim !
Vic. an ever willing "Stooge", poses in front of the advertised facilities.
A warning on the side of this fountain told us "Danger Deep Water" . We tried it . It was at least 8 inches (20 centimetres) Health and safety a bit over the top methinks.
We were soon on our way out of Thurnham Hall grounds,
Out of the gates and across the Glasson road to immediately turn down the lane to Cockerham Sands. Ten minutes later we turned off the lane taking to the fields again.
The heat was taking it's toll and some of us were beginning to feel tired by this point.
Recent heavy (VERY heavy) rains had left some parts of the fields rather wetter than we expected.
As we walked we came across evidence of "Little" pests.
A Mole trap !
And the expectation of some rather larger historical pests (not in the end needed)
Tank Traps ????
We walked through the tiny hamlet of "Old Glasson" then took a final rest to admire the view over the Lune estuary.
Then down quite a steep hill to Glasson Dock.
and so back to the cars to partake of Martin's generous and ever welcome ice cold refreshments (Ginger Beer and Choc Ices )
THE END
JW
No comments:
Post a Comment