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