ASTLEY AMBLE 2/3 miles
Participating Snails :- John W, Martin, James.
( Don't miss the contributions from our roaming correspondents at the end of this blog)
Today we found ourselves breaking the rules as three rather than two Meanderthals arrived in the crowded car park at Astley Hall. Social distancing would be an absolute must !
There was hardly a spot left in the car park as we set off on our walk.
Leaving the buildings behind, we appear to be on our own. Not so. The lovely park was "Heaving" with possibly more DOGS than HUMANS. One lady we met was surrounded by 7 dogs. When asked was she a dog walker. "No she said "they are all mine."
A short distance into the woods and we came across the "Lost Fountain". When it was first discovered it was thought to be a "Grindstone" so deep had it been buried. After a lot of hard digging it was revealed as the fountain you see in the photo.
We were not intending to follow the track as far as the South gates which was just as well because earlier flooding had left the track barred,
People with wood burning stoves (I am not one) would doubtless be drooling at this handsome pile.
Just opposite this "Fuel Store" a track led us up into the lengthy woodland that constitutes the southern part of the park.
It wasn't long before "Caffeine Called" and we dropped down from the path into a rather picturesque clearing by the stream.
Here we sat (socially distanced of course) and had a "brew" As we sat drinking a young lady with a dog stopped to chat with us. I say "with us" it was more "AT us". She chatted on interminably. She was, however, a very pleasant young lady and we were happy to simply sit and listen .
With autumn now well established the carpet of leaves covering the woodland floor lent a delightfully warm glow as we gently pursued our path, especially when the sun broke through from time to time. The multitude of dogs were having a glorious time ploughing through the deeper piles.
As we walked, a gentleman with a "Grabber" walked passed picking up litter, (There was very little) He was a "Friend of Astley Park". It said so on his back.
"The Friends" were obviously doing a good job as all the paths and bridges were neat and well maintained,
The woodland ended quite abruptly and spilled us out onto the rather more manicured grassland of the "Traditional" part of the park.
With yesterday having been the 11th of the 11th. We felt it only right to visit the memorial.
As a 74 year old I have lived through a time of peace and prosperity. The poppies are a reminder that those who died in two world wars gifted that time to us. The present political turmoil in our country and beyond I find greatly disturbing.
The road back through the park was just as busy as the track through the woods had been, with both people and dogs. Just as last week cheerful smiles and greetings were exchanged between strangers. ( Always a silver lining eh ? !! ) Not everyone was a stranger though.
Here Martin was greeted by his God daughter and her mother Helen Charnock ( Helen Reddy as was ).
In the distance now we caught glimpses of the Tudor Hall.
Just a little further on and we came to the straight part of the driveway as it passed the lake besides the hall.
After walking through Avenham and Miller Parks last week and Astley this week I am prompted to say how lucky we are to have such superb outdoor facilities on our doorsteps.
The hall itself is closed to the public at the moment and plans are afoot to take the frontage back to it's original appearance.
The writer of this blog is a great lover of cafes and so was pleased to find the cafe open - if only for takeaways.
Because of "takeaway" strictures benches were at a premium but we eventually found one to drink our coffees and munch a slice of cake (or something else.)
Lunch (?) over we had a final potter around the walled garden. Her John social distances himself from a resident "Mr Moss".
.....and we met a couple more of the local residents
THE END
JW
From our roving reporters :-
Harry
has been walking around the closed golf course at Ingol and tells us that up to ten ponds have been dug to accommodate the NEWTS that will be displaced by the building of yet another housing estate. The amazing power of a tiny amphibian ! Harry goes on to tell us that the area where the newts will be resettled is to become a Nature Reserve. The Golf course has long gone so there will be no 19th and the newts will have to remain steadfastly un-p----d.
MICK K
has, with his wife, revisited a walk we went on some time ago, They parked at Barton Grange and followed the path alongside the river Brock, He didn't enlighten us as to haw far up the river they went. They "Dined " at the "Roebuck" and said it was very nice but a "Little Deer" (every one's a comic 😆 )
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