PRESTON TRAM ROAD

 WINDY WEATHER WALK 3.5 Miles

BLOWNOVERS :-  John and Martin

"Blow winds and crack your cheeks" a line from "King Lear" It continues "Drench the steeples, Drown the (weather) cocks" Well it wasn't quite that bad but it was certainly  VERY windy.

We parked at the end of South Meadow Lane and were soon on our way under the Mail line railway bridge and into Miller Park.

This proved to be something of a wind tunnel and we certainly had to hold onto our hats,

Through the bridge and into Miller Park which looked quite beautiful in the early spring sunshine with the majestically magnificent Park Hotel looming watchfully over it.

Just before the next bridge we took a left turn to rise up to the start of the Cycleway which crosses the river to follow an old rail track.  As we walked, we passed this tribute to the N.H.S.

In order to access the cycleway we had to first cross from Miller Park into the equally delightful Avenham Park.

Under the bridge past the Mock Tudor keeper's house and up onto the track.

As we turned to walk up to the track we could look down into the Japanese Garden. 

.....Where two little boys were enjoying the pond

......and one big boy was posing for a photo.

We could also see how busy the children's play area near the cafe was.

So .... on up to the old rail track.

As we crossed the bridge we were amused by the "Love Locks" attached to the fencing.

This, now traditional, way of "Blighting one's Troth"..... Oops , sorry I shall rewrite that... "Plighting One's Troth" is not to my taste but is perhaps charming in it's own way. How does one confirm "Everlasting Love" ?  Throwing the keys into the river ? I have a picture in my head of a scorned lover creeping onto the bridge at night with a pair of Bolt Cutters .

.... but we must walk on !

Our path lay literally straight ahead. 

As teenagers several of our Meanderthal group would cross this bridge on "Sports Afternoon".  Descend the steps which are now in ruins....

.... and follow the path which now has a rather smart bridge.

...into the "Riverside" playing field.

As we passed it a couple were sitting looking down at the old playing field. The lady had played hockey here  at about the same period as we had played football. (60+ years ago 😒)

We continued our walk looking for a sheltered spot to have a coffee break. Such a spot did not exist so after passing an unfathomable sculpture we opted for a windswept bench just above the track. 

The line of trees across the fields marked "Tram Road" the next part of our walk.  After coffee we came across another unusual sculpture..... No NOT the yellow one.

Soon after, the path dipped down and then rose up again to it's junction with Tram Road.

We lingered here a while. Exploring the curiously named "Apprentice Steps"..........

...and being amazed at the continuous flow of water coming off the sodden land.

We also came across a sign that I, personally, have never encountered  before.

Now for the homeward leg.

As we walked down the road further evidence of the high winds of previous days appeared.

"Oh how are the mighty Fallen "

Since the campaign against plastic bags and the supermarkets making a charge for them there has been a noticeable decrease in them lying around or flapping in bushes and trees.  One of our group (a pharmacist !) always referred to the black ones as "Witches Knickers". There must be a whole coven near here.

But look at the fields beyond ! The water table very high.

As we walked along the road we were amazed to be passed by a pizza delivery cyclist heading towards Bamber Bridge.

At the end of the road was the much loved Tram Bridge now sadly closed indefinitely.

We wondered when this much used and loved bridge would be repaired/rebuilt and be back in use.

A left turn along the river bank took us back towards the disused railway bridge we had crossed earlier.

So... back over the bridge and into Avenham Park. 

As we entered the park we met some of the workers who kept the two parks so beautiful for the public to use. When we congratulated them they modestly said

"Well it's wur job. In't it."

Rather late by now but "LUNCHTIME !"  We found a comfortable, sheltered spot in THe Japanese Garden and settled down to our butties.

Lunch over we made our way cautiously down the rather rough hewn steps to the bridge over the  pond.

Out of the Japanese Garden and back along the river bank to the car park and home.

Considering the awful weather forecasts this had been a surprisingly good walk which only the wind conspired, but did not succeed, to spoil. The sun shone for most of the day.

THE END

JW