Heaton Park Manchester

Our leader for this weeks walk was Anthony. The weather forecast was not good and Paddy has come prepared.

The cafe where we had our morning brew was in the old stables across the road from Heaton Hall. The hall itself was surrounded by fencing to keep the public out, as the BBC were doing some filming within the hall itself.

It was fashionable in the eighteenth century, when Heaton Hall was built, to have a Folly. Sir Thomas Egerton built this one on the highest point in Manchester, just behind the hall.

By standing on a bench I was able to get a photo of the modern skyline of the city. I'm sure there would be no need for such acrobatics in the winter time.

We next visited an outdoor enclosure alongside the hall, where several exotic and not so exotic birds and animals were housed.

The goat in the background, on seeing us, wasted no time in coming over to make our acquaintance.

With plenty of seats around, and 12 bells being upon us, we sat down for our vitals. A wood pigeon and a squirrel came to join us for dinner. Danny had brought some birdseed from home, to feed the wildlife. A rat scurried across the path, but having more important business, it didn't stop to join in the feast.

Behind the stables was a fairground, but no doubt due to the unsettled weather, the punters were staying away.

We set off downhill towards the boating lake, and before long came across a much larger fairground, but here again the fairground operators were being starved of revenue due to the weather.

Once past the fairground, we left the path and climbed a hill to the right of it, on top of which was a large rough hewn,  granite rock in the form of a bishops mitre.

It is here to commemorate the visit to Manchester in 1982 of Pope John Paul the second, when he celebrated Mass on this site. and was welcomed by 250,000 of the faithful.

                                                 Looking back to the fairground.

We didn't visit the boating lake, but set off towards the garden centre. On our way there, we passed a large area of meadowland, scattered with wild flowers and inhabited by several species of rare breeds of cattle.

           The garden centre had a cafe with colourful seating areas, both inside and out.

This was our last port of call before heading back to the cars. As it happened, Paddy didn't need his umbrella after all, but thanks for bringing it anyway Paddy, you saved us from a soaking. 😉. Thanks for introducing us to a varied and interesting park Anthony.

HEATON PARK

 HEAT OFF - HEATON     4 Miles

COOL CUSTOMERS :-  Anthony, Danny, John W,

                                          Martin, Paddy,  Vic.

With the weather considerably cooler and damper than our last few outings we set off from the car park in Heaton Park to follow today's leader Anthony who was enthusiastically showing us some of the parks many delights.

As we walked we first passed the setting up of an exhibition of the TV show "Friends". 

non of us being fans of the show we moved on.

Ah !  This better. The old stables and farm centre also contain a cafe and we are all "Cafe" fans.

After taking refreshment and using the "facilities" we continued our exploration of the park.

As we walked through the mature woodland areas there were some amazing trees.

Yes John we know it's amazing we don't need you to point it out.

And here's a happy "Snapper" .

With a little bit of artistry dead trees can also be amazing.

Sorry...... takes rather more than a "little artistry".  I should have said "Superb wood chopping skills ".

We left the main path now and climbed up a slightly steeper slope to the top of the hill .  Here at the HIGHEST POINT IN MANCHESTER was a classical Temple.

Unfortunately routine maintenance work rather spoilt the temples classic lines.

Danny sought an elevated spot to see the fabulous views (presumably the reason the temple had been sited here) which a couple of centuries of tree growth had partially obscured.

For the most part the vistas had surrendered.

Martin and Paddy had chosen to follow the main path rather than climb the hill and here they come to rejoin us.

This next photo shows a  Great Folly...............Men or masonry ?  you decide.

Further along our walk we passed the "New Heaton Hall" . It was surrounded by security fencing, The gentleman in the next photo told us the BBC were recording a new show for C-BEEBIES.

When asked could we take his photo he modestly said "I'm not famous . I'm just a technician "  Just as important for the show we told him.

Our next stop was at the animal enclosure. Heralded by Manchester's iconic "Busy Bee",

The animal centre was rather thin on residents.

Anthony searches for more animals

Pork Scratchings ?

"You're a nice old goat" he said and Paddy was quick to return the compliment.

Just outside the "Safari Park"  ahem !  were some seats and as it was lunchtime we sat.

This cheeky squirrel came begging as well as a magpie, a woodpigeon, a black headed gull and even a rat,    so Danny informed us.

Lunch consumed we set off to find the papal field and the monument to a papal visit by John Paul II  in  1982.  

"Through that tunnel" said a passing dog walker. 

WRONG !   Back through the tunnel to look elsewhere.

Though as we searched we came across further woodcraft carving. It took us a few seconds to fathom what it was, Can you spot sooner ?

It's a   - i - g - i - h - r   !

As we walked down one of the larger park tracks in search of papist pastures there were playgrounds, fair grounds and mobile shops along the way.

Then Anthony , who had been before,  spotted a group of trees upon the top of the rise. "There it is" he said. And so it was .

A large block of granite with brass plaques on either side.

Again at the top of a hill there had to be a "View" and being a papal spot there it was.........         A view of HEAVEN........... or HELL  depending on your tastes.

The view also included a "Lost Soul".   "Paddy we're not going that way ! "

Leaving the Papal Field we now set our sights on returning to our cars, Here we met a gentleman who told us he had been a professional golfer on the European circuit,

Here we see a Golfer and a Goofer. I shall leave it for you to decide which is which .

Highland cow by the track ? wrong colour ?  No long hair ?  (shaved of during  the heat wave perhaps....... still some hairy  traces.)   Mmmmm....

There were also some large cows with big horns in the field . Vic suggested "English Longhorns "  poo, rubbish, never  ...............  actually on checking he might have been right.

As we walked , Hilary a good friend of ours texted to say her daughter (?) was just taking off from Manchester with Jet2 and should be overhead right then. " Give her a wave "   We would have done but nothing could be seen in the low cloud.

Almost back to the cars now  but what's this, The park's Garden Centre and there's a CAFE ........ WEEEEELL 😛 say n' more.

Excellent coffees but I personally much prefer a proper cup or mug.

The reader may have noticed that increasing age  ( Average 76) has led to some of our walks being more COMFORTABLY SOCIABLE 👍👍👍👍 than COURAGEOUSLY ADVENTUROUS. 👀👀👀

Anthony's enthusiasm for the park was well deserved. An excellent walk.

THE END

JW