The Meanderthals: CHORLEY

ASTLEY AMBLE 4.5 Miles

AMBLING ADVOCATES :- Anthony, Jim, James, Martin

John, Paddy, Vic, David.

Who's this arriving late ? Post code in the Satnav takes you to the village NOT the park ............... or so Jim told us !

As you arrive at the Astley Park buildings the first attraction is the superb walled Garden.

If Vic had seen the terrifying classic cult film "The Wickerman" He wouldn't mess with a wicker woman !

Not too sure about this character either.

Deck Chair ! Must have come from a very large ship.

as we left the walled garden we passed the equally tasteful war memorial.

Then we set off on our walk but not before noting the inviting cafe and making a silent promise to check it out when we returned.

The path we took led us to the two very large public bowling greens which were much admired by the bowlers amongst us.

The path dropped quickly down into the "Great Wood" and before long a bridge took us away to the right in the direction of "Euxton Rd," crossing as it did the "Mighty Chor" 😜 A mere brook which eventually feeds into the Yarrow.

Although decidedly damp the forecast of heavy rain ( which had caused us to alter our planned walk from Heysham) had so far not materialised.

We soon joined the highway and followed it for some time passing as we did Washington Hall recently visited by the American politician Nancy Pelosi and other foreign dignitaries, guests of Chorley MP and Speaker of the House Lyndsey Hoyle.

As we arrived at the "Back" gate into the park we decided that we should combine a late coffee break with an early lunchtime/ As seating was available we sat in the "Garden" of the mock tudor gate house.

A few months earlier it looked like this because of torrential downpours and a blocked drain!!

Why is Vic sitting over there like Billy no Mates, Is it the smell ? Sniff ! Sniff !

Lunch over and off we go again through this wonderful park.

For a short distance we climbed the short and hardly arduous slope into the park until we reached the point at which we had left the main pathway and crossed the bridge (see earlier photo). Her we again left the main route. this time on the opposite side, and followed the track through "Great Wood".

There were several dead trees in the wood which is quite normal but this one looked as if it's death had not been pleasant.

Although the forecast had been dire, umbrellas were not absolutely necessary but did appear from time to time.

That there had been heavy rain was , however, quite obvious.

Skilful use of leaves and this person becomes a mystery..... ah.... but look at the reflection !

James had wandered over to look at a large landslip on the far bank of the "river ?"

You will doubtless have heard of the "Bridge of Sighs". Well every time the request is made to gather on a bridge for a photo the sighs can be heard. "Oh no. Not another bridge photo !" ( YES ! )

As we left the wood we came across workmen laying pipes. The ever curious (nosey) Vic. is wandering up to ask what they were doing. "Communication lines " was one of the answers.

We left the main path again to look at the unusual children's play area. Once again Vic found out why it was so unusual. Designed with the properties of a real mediaeval castle in mind he discovered. ( Vic is definitely a "Curious " man )