Moss Side Meander - 5 Miles
Meanderers :- Anthony, Vic, Danny,
James, Mike, John W.
"Leyland Warriors Rugby Club" was not the easiest place to find but soon after 10.30 we left their car park and set off on our walk.
The path was apparently called "the Malt Kiln Bridleway " Only a short distance from our start we came across a pond with it's own solar panels. Very strange. What was thetr purpose.
Leaving the pond we continued along the track till we arrived at Slater Lane. We crossed this and then the larger Schleswig way and joined the pathway alongside the River Lostock.
Not many minutes walking before we arrived at the junction near the Dunkirk Restaurant.
We crossed this road still followed the River Lostock upstream. The signs on the information posts were somewhat ambiguous. Were we allowed to simply walk on this path ?
Take the dog with you.......... Fine
Oh come on.... Share and share alike !
We then came to a bridge, The frequent reader will be aware that we have a penchant for "Bridge Photos" So we took one. Totally stupid as we had no intention of actually crossing this bridge.
Is James making a point of sensibly not going on the bridge or has he just missed the way on ?😕
Although we had not been walking very long the morning itself was well advanced . So, time for coffee.
As we approached the parting of the ways where we were to leave the banks of the river, we stopped for a full group photo.
Looks like someone has ignored the day's dress code. We said BLUE John.
Through a rather rickety kissing gate and on to Longmeanygate (road).
Then, just around the corner was the magnificent BOBBY.
The sculptor of this wonderful beast had cleverly incorporated horseshoes in the construction.
but soon became more rural and pleasant.
Scattered around this pond area were some yellow flowers. Ostensibly primroses, The "Plant Apps" on our phones named them as such.
One walker, however, was a little suspicious of this identification and on checking various "Wildflower " books when he got home determined them to be "cowslips".
As we sat finishing our various lunches a little drama unfolded. Suddenly one of our number was HORIZONTAL... prone !
Was this a medical emergency ? Hands searched for phones. but no.
James presently needs eye drops at regular intervals during the day. ( Ah ! now we understand the missed bridge.) Here the ever helpful Danny is administering them.
Up out of the pond area and onward through Paradise Park.
I think Danny is checking his plant app. Cowslips Danny... cowslips !
As we emerged from the pond area another "Damp" area caught our attention on the other side of the path. an area of what is fashionably and euphemistically termed "Wetland". Although it was not on our route we just had to walk through it.
This was all about " Boys will be Boys". BOYS ?? I hear you expostulate. Yes ! You have to think "Second childhood".
This was the attraction...........
..... Stepping Stones (or logs) 😉
The well maintained paths continued to lead us through what was a rather uninteresting part of Paradise. (I hope Heaven offers more !). Eventually we left it to make our way through a fairly modern housing estate back to Slater lane.
The estate had little of interest to offer except a rather manky wooden pig sitting in solitary splendour with no apparent purpose !!!
Once through the houses we entered "Nixons Wood" a small but attractive linear park leading back towards the rugby club.
Cowslips (Primroses) were not the only delightful wild flowers we noticed as we passed.
Violas (wild violets )
Throughout our walk the spire of St James church could frequently be seen spiking above the treetops or roofs. Almost as if we were circling it on an invisible length of string.
THE END
JW
