The Meanderthals: PENWORTHAM

THE NUMBERS GAME - 6.5 Miles

The Variables :-

Anthony, Vic, Danny, Martin Jim, John W, Dave, John R

On a morning, which in Scotland would be described as "Dreek", two cars containing four Meanderthals pulled into the car park at the end of Hill Rd. Penwortham. Shortly after they were joined by by Jim who had walked from his Penwortham home and a minute or two later Martin arrived.

So six Meanderthals set on what was to be a WET walk.

Hill road has much in common with the "Millionaires Rows" found in most cities. It is distinctly "Affluent" (Greeneyed Monster Time ?)

We stopped briefly to "admire" the houses. On one side of the road was a house of a modern style whilst exactly opposite was a house in a more traditional style.

Both of these were quite modest compared to some of the neighbouring properties.

Then to our surprise and joy we were joined by another Meanderthal. But who could it be wearing shoes like these ?

It was John Russel , another Penwortham resident, out for a jog and on the lookout for us

John now joined us for the next mile or so. (7 walkers now)

Leaving Hill Rd. we crossed Liverpool Rd. and then turned towards St Mary's church. Penwortham Priory.

Danny looks towards the Priory but we turned off at this point to walk through parts of Penwortham's suburbia and down to the river side walk.

Into the linear park which follows the Ribble down past the site of the demolished power station.

Time for coffee and a further pleasure, as waiting for us here was Dave who had walked from his home at the far end of Broadgate near to Miller Park. ( 8 walkers now )

After coffee we turned West away from Penwortham and followed the banks of the swollen River Ribble as the tide , coming in as we sat drinking , was now beginning to recede. At this point John R left us to keep an appointment ( Now 7 walkers )

Oh dear. That's not a pleasant sight. If you see a white rabbit, a girl called Alice and a pack of cards. Don't linger.

After perhaps a mile or so we turned inland to head towards Howick Cross Lane.

The signpost was a bit confusing though. Do we go left, right, up, down or go both ways and bump into each other ?

Well..... first we went UP (a bit )

Then we went DOWN ( a bit more actually as we dropped down from the "Levee" )

Whilst not being particularly heavy , the rain had been continuous from the start., Over the fields was a profusion of pylons radiating out from the now defunct power station. The rain filled air made them rather ghostly in the distance.

The path followed the hedge and the water filled ditch (or Dyke) and was steadily getting wetter and muddier.

It was obvious that we needed a sheltered spot to have lunch otherwise there was a serious risk of "Soggy Butties".

Shortly before we reached Howick Cross Lane a farm which doubled as a caravan wintering place offered us the much needed shelter.

Lunch consumed we stepped out into the still continuous rain and soon arrived at Howick Cross.

arriving at the main road (Liverpool Rd) Dave left us to catch the bus down to Broadgate and home.

There's Dave off to the bus stop. Bye Dave ! (Walkers now 6 )

We crossed the road at this junction and followed the foot path which passed All Hallows School. (Isn't that in one of the Harry Potter stories ?)

The rain continued to gently pour down upon us. Fortunately we all have full body covering waterproofs.

Oh dear. As we followed a complexity of urban side roads the persistent rain eventually got onto the camera lens.

we turned off what we now realised was Cop Lane and entered Hurst Grange Park. WHERE'S THE CAFE ?????

Hot drinks all round ! Thanks Jim. Table No 1 of course.

Before leaving the cafe we apologised to the helpful staff and assured them that the puddles around our table were rainwater draining off our clothes and insisted we were not a bunch of incontinent old ***** !😯😯