Ribbleton 2

Leaving the car park on Moor Park which hitherto had been a mass of potholes, has now been filled in and levelled off . Perhaps after some rainfall it may get compacted, but at the moment cars entering and leaving the car park are accompanied by a cloud of dust.

This is the start of our trail, down the side of Sainsburys. The last time Anthony and I came this way, there was litter all around. The bins on the other side of the fence were almost empty, which gives proof to the adage " You can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink."

A little further along the path were the remains of a burned out mattress or couch, the infill of which has got scattered about. The good thing about it is, it will provide lots of nesting material for the birds.

We were intrigued by what was going on atop the banking. What were these large tankers for?

As we sat having our morning brew, The peace was shattered by a hooligan on a motorbike, who came roaring down the grassy bank opposite at full throttle, across the path behind us, and up to the Brookfield estate.

Leaving the park, we climbed up to the old  Preston to Longridge railway line and walked along it for a couple of hundred yards, before exiting right into Sion Close.

At the end of Sion Close we crossed over Ribbleton Avenue, taking a path alongside the Grange estate. At the other side of the valley is the RSPCA. The dogs seemed to be competing for who could bark the loudest.

                                     The remains of Ribbleton Hall in Grange Park

                                    John had arranged to meet Martin for dinner.

                                                                       And here he is

I had arranged to meet Mike after dinner. He was being dropped off by his wife Kath. Mike rang me to say that they had got as far as the cemetery on Miller road, but there were road works, and the road ahead was closed. I asked him to set off walking and I would meet him half way.

                                                                  And here he is

Taking a short cut through the Moor Nook estate, we met up with the rest of the lads, and here we are heading into Brockhalls wood.

                      These young ladies were taking a great deal of interest in us.

                We haven't had any rain for some time, and the river was rippleless.

                This is the path twixt the Farry Park estate and the old cemetery.

On reaching the gates of the new cemetery. Martin was waiting for us, and walked through to the other end of the cemetery with us.

On reaching Cromwell Road we rejoined the old railway line and followed the path as far as Morrisons.

Up onto Blackpool Road and it was not long before we were back at our cars, now covered with a layer of dust.

                                                                         DK