Penwortham

We parked our cars on Hill Road car park after a circuitous route, due to road works. At the end of Hill Road is the entrance to Hurst Grange Park. Alongside the park, in a woodland setting is the nicely laid out grounds of Penwortham Cemetery.

When we had all got kitted up, we set off back along Hill Road, to it's junction with Liverpool Road, where John Russel, he with the brightly coloured trainers, and one of our latter day regular walkers, caught up with us. Although he had prior commitments, he said he could still spare a little time to walk with us part of the way.

There was a time when we were able to walk through the grounds of St Mary's church cemetery, taking in the views of the River Ribble from it's prominent position on castle hill,

before dropping down to the riverside walk. Now alas the path down has been blocked off, so we have to take a less scenic route through a housing estate.

Down by the river we were met by Dave, he with the hat and stick, another of our once regular walkers, who also is going to walk part of the way with us.

So we all had a brew together, whilst catching up on the news and bemoaning the state of the world. After brew we set off along the river, except for Mr Russel who had to be getting off on his prior arrangement.

The rain which had been accompanying us from the start of the walk, gradually got heavier, and the riverside path which started off being tarmac, gradually deteriorated to gravel and then to dirt and mud.

Across the river is the Bull Nose, which divides the main course of the river from the channel leading into the Dock Basin.

Shortly after passing the Bull Nose, we leave the river, turning left along a path inland towards Howick.

A farm on the outskirts of the village had a large open barn, which provided shelter for several touring caravans hibernating for the winter. It also, today, provided shelter for several soggy Meanderthals taking their bait.

After dinner we walked along the farm track to Howick Cross Lane, which we followed to it's junction with Liverpool Road, where stands the said cross. Dave took his leave of us here, to catch a bus at the nearby bus stop.

We crossed Liverpool Rd to a quiet lane on the opposite side. The long straight lane took us past All Hallows Catholic High School, and on to the other end of Penwortham.

Finding our way back to Hurst Grange park, a newly renovated old coach house, within the park, has been converted into a cafe. Well, we decided that we deserved a reward for completing our walk in such bad weather, so in we went, and Jim treated us all to a brew.

Cheers Jim. When we came out of the cafe, the rain had finally stopped for us to walk back to the car park.

                                      Thanks for organising the walk for us Anthony.

                                                                          DK