Lancaster

It's a nice sunny morning as we set off on our walk, but as with the last couple of walks, there is a biting cold wind. The church in the background is the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Peter. It stands on the banks of the Lancaster canal, which conveniently is where we start our walk

The iron arch support under the bridge has the name Joseph Clayton stamped on it, and the date 1876. The canal itself was opened in the 1790s, so the bridge was possibly widened in that year. Our walk begins in the opposite direction however, heading south.

Across the canal is the White Cross business park. It was originally a cotton mill. It was purchased by William Storey in 1856.

On reaching South Road we had to leave the canal, cross over the busy road, cross to the opposite side of the canal, and drop back down again to rejoin the canal tow path by the Water Witch pub.

A little way further on, and we have to cross over yet again. But it all adds to the interest of the walk.

This intriguing art work was anonymous. No one was claiming recognition for it.

Being a bunch of old guys, we could adopt this one as our mascot.

Now that's what I call a substantial footbridge.

We left the canal at this point and crossed over the road. The house is one of two Aldcliffe Hall gatehouses. The house is unoccupied at the present time, but there were some building materials round the back, suggesting that it is about to have a refurbishment. John and Anthony were in discussion about which path to take from here. It was decided to take the drive alongside the gatehouse.

On the left of the drive, at the top of the brow is a small number of substantially built executive style houses. At the time of walking by them, I wouldn't have had any inclination  to live in such a hostile environment, on account of the biting cold wind. That is if I was in a position to be able to afford one. Aldcliffe is named after a viking chief named Alda, who made his home here. It may have been a more hospitable place in Alda's day. A large outcrop of rock gave the name to the other half of the Aldcliffe name and would no doubt have provided some shelter, but the cliffe is no longer there. It has been gradually quarried out of existence over the years to provide the stone for many of the buildings in Lancaster.

Further along the lane, on the opposite side of the road, our attention was attracted by this unusual designed pair of gates. The owner of the bungalow. an elderly man,  came over to talk to us. He told us that he had made the gates himself, in his garage. The open panels are made from stainless steel box section which he said he had welded up himself also.

At the end of Aldcliffe Hall lane. For that's what the lane was called, we came to another gatehouse that was built 60 years after the first one. The hall itself was demolished in 1960

We searched in vain for somewhere comfortable to have our dinner, i.e. a picnic table, or even a bench. Lancaster City Council need to get their priorities right. But maybe we should have contacted them in advance to let them know we were coming.😉

John, our leader, had lost his car keys at the beginning of our walk. He searched all his pockets. He searched in Martin's car, who he had travelled with, but could he find them?
The keys were found at dinner time when he removed hi hat, and found them inside it 😅
We all do silly things though when you get to our age though. Having said that, if anyone loses anything in the future, you know where the first place they'l be told to look for it will be don't you? 😡

Dinner time and it's accompanying hilarity over, we continued along what was, the route of the old Lancaster to Glasson Dock railway line back into Lancaster. Just getting back to the cars in time before the parking tickets expired. It may have been cold but it was enjoyable even so. Thanks John,
DK