BROCKHOLES

 CALL THAT A WALK ? 2 Miles

INBETWEENERS :- Vic, John W, Anthony, Martin, Mike.

No walk had been planned  between Christmas and New Year but at the last minute several of us decided that a bit of fresh air might be a good idea between the two festive excesses. So off to "Brockholes Country Park".

We left the car park and after a short walk towards the "Floating Village" we took a left turn to climb up the perimeter bank.

The Floating Village can be seen below us.

This being "Brock" holes it was inevitable that we should soon meet up with a badger.

At this point there was a choice of paths. We chose to take the path to the right which dropped down towards the River Ribble.

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As we descended, one of the trees had been coppiced and the stump had been "Worked"  upon. Looks like the it's suffering from serious indigestion.

At the bottom the path turned left to follow the River but not actually at is edge, Between the path and the river was a narrow stretch of woodland which had been imaginatively altered.

Here a small family explore one of the Art works in the section of wood dedicated to the Vikings. The reserve was quite busy with families (lots of children) exploring the extensive grounds.

The partial Viking Longboat also attracted more mature attention. (not entirely sure that statement holds water !)

A  little further along the track we once again entered the wood at a section called the  "DEEP DARK WOOD"  . This part was themed after the book and cartoon "The Gruffalo". We soon came across characters from the book.

Here's the hero of the story... The Mouse.

Then one of the villains...    The Owl.

Next the fox.

We searched but could not find the Snake nor the titular character 

"The Gruffalo"

Time for a brew so we left the woods and took the short climb up to some benches.

 

As we sat with our coffees a large group of children ( 4 or 5 year olds ) accompanied by their parent (and grandparents)  followed us out of the woods and came to tell us that they HAD found the Snake AND the Gruffalo. Obviously much smarter than us old dodderers.

After they left we noticed a very supercilious badger with a very disdainful expression " Beaten by a bunch of kids.... bright lot you are !"

We continued to follow the path on top of the embankment which looked down to the River Ribble which was in full "Spate" and a chocolatey brown colour.

John often insists someone take his photo. Is this blatant vanity (surely not) or is it, as he claims, so that he is seen to actually be on the walk.  Behind him we can see that river full to the brim.  Flood warning were broadcast that evening with the Wyre and the Alt (?) included.

This magnificent frog was found at the highest point of the embankment. Not sure who it is or why it is there. Anyone tell us ?

Not many people know that Licking a frog is a cure for depression. Unfortunately if you stop licking the frog gets depressed again...... Ahem !

Not much further until the embankment ended and the path dropped down to the lower level. DECISION DECISION !!!   Continue around the reserves perimeter or make a bee-line for the cafe.  We wimped out and chose the cafe. A fortuitous choice as it now began to rain.

The lower reaches of the reserve contained large areas of reeds.

Past the car park and down towards the floating Village and the cafe.

Along the approach to the village was a series of silhouettes cut out of red rusty steel plates. This one was a ................ 

and so to the cafe. The main, large one, was shut so we sat outside a small one.

And look who has joined us, What a lovely surprise .... Mike.   He had come to join us on our walk .  Not a lovely surprise for Mike though. We'd finished the walk .....   Early !

Perhaps not entirely a disappointment as the blustery rain got heavier and heavier.

And so back to the cars and home. Once we had worked out how to pay for our parking...........  always a puzzle and no little kids to help us here.

A very short sojourn but a breath of fresh air. As one person was heard to say " I always watch "Country File" each Sunday. It's the only fresh air I get."

THE END

JW

Hodge Close and Cathedral Cavern 4 miles

This is a short walk but a very interesting one, devised for me as a family walk by Anthony's brother Michael, but on this occasion I was on my own.

This is Hodge Close looking cold and uninviting under the gray winter clouds, but a place where in a past life I have dived in. It was a popular quarry for diver training due to it's depth of 100 ft. At the bottom is a tunnel which one enters at ones peril. 

The access to the the quarry for the divers is from an adjacent quarry and from where two large holes have been broken through just above the water level.

   After descending into the adjacent quarry, a path leads to the breakthrough. As I remember it from 40 years ago, we went through a tunnel  but, more quarrying must have been carried out since then.

From here after getting back up onto the road, a walk of about a mile brought me to Little Langdale Quarries.

      

                   After walking through this tunnel I arrived at Cathedral Cavern.

     

Another short tunnel leads out of the Cavern, from where a short scramble takes you up to a ledge above. Childs play really.

                   From where you can look down into the cavern from above.

                               Further explorations revealed several more tunnels.

        

A short dinner break before continuing the circular walk back to Hodge Close. An excellent, interesting walk Michael. Thank you.

 

ST ANNE'S

 JIGSAW JAUNT ? Distance - Various

Participants :-  John W, Martin, Anthony, Danny, Jim C, 

                          James. Vic, Harry, Mick, Mike, Lawrence.

Well, where does one start with this report ?  In several places actually putting the pieces together jigsaw fashion..

Anthony, Vic, Danny and Lawrence parked at the St Anne's end of Lytham Green and set off to walk north to the pier at St Anne's.

Harry had parked close to the pier and was patiently waiting for others to arrive.

Martin, James, and John W parked next to the "Peace and Happiness Garden " (Les Dawson's statue)

Here are Harry, James and Martin heading South along the Prom (With JW Photographer)

Here are Mike and Anthony, followed at some distance by Lawrence and Vic (Danny was with them too) heading North along the prom.

Once together they all made a beeline for "Les" where they had arranged to have lunch.

Our original plan for today was to have lunch at Wetherspoons (Preston) our tradition for the last meeting of the year but Covid had altered our minds. 

And "Les" seemed happy to accommodate us .

We settled onto the benches  (on either side of the garden) where we were soon joined by Jim C  from Penwortham and a little later by Mick from Bispham.

We had chosen this venue as there was plenty of shelter in case of inclement weather . The day was, however, mild and pleasant.

Our end of year meeting always has a slightly celebratory mood and this year we had two things to celebrate........

Today was Martin's birthday and he had brought cakes and "Firewater" to share with the gang.

Mick Kilgallon has had a novel published and he had brought a copy for each of the Meanderthals . What a marvellous achievement. Well done to our "Published Author"

Here we see him signing copies of his book like a true celebrity/

Vic, also , added to the mood with a nip of whiskey to perk up each of our coffees. Thanks Vic.

Vic the "Nip...er" also known as banana man !!!

Unfortunately we were visited by a couple of disreputable beggars. Here's one wringing his hands Uriah Heap style. "Spare us a crust Gov'ner. "

And here's another.... "Just a few coppers for a cup o' tea squire."

The singing of " Happy Birthday"  to Martin  had to be accomplished  of course and Jim Cullen and John Whittle obliged with a very "accomplished"  duet on Harmonicas. 

We could hardly leave the garden without paying our respects to "Les" so we gathered round to do so. 

The two photos are NOT the same check them out

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The whole group walked briefly down the prom towards Lytham.

Going past, as we did, St Anne's PIER,

This was not the only Pier. Here we see a large group of "P****rs".

So.. after what was more of a social gathering than a walk one group walked off towards their cars in Lytham.

Whilst the others turned back towards "Les" where their cars were parked.

A different but very pleasant outing to finish this year's calendar. A year that started with social distancing and ends on the brink of a return to social restriction.

But......... HAPPY CHRISTMAS  to everyone and the hope of a better 2022 !

THE END

JW

p.s. Your writer wrote "a better 2020". A mistake that eagle eyed Anthony spotted immediately. In my defence 2020   WAS a better year.....just 👍😂

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