RAIN STOPPED PLAY !    2.5 miles (What ???)

DRIPS :- John W,  Anthony,  Vic,  Danny.  + Martin.

After last week's weather dictated cancellation,  four of us set out with high hopes  (Well... moderate hopes) of a better day. 

So let's log on to our seaside outing. 

We parked the car on the roadside close to the eastern entrance to  Fairhaven Lake and Park and began to follow the newly constructed promenade.

The tide was in and the shallow seas of the Ribble Estuary were grey and choppy.  A more than "Fresh " breeze was blowing.

The "fresh" breeze seemed to get Fresher as we continued along the edge of the estuary.   

Then we saw something in the sea ! Was this person walking on water ?

Must get a photo thought Danny.

There's something above him.   Aha... It's a parasurfer (is that what they are called ?) And he/she certainly knew how to do it with heartstopping flights high above the waves.

The perceptive reader will have noticed that in most the last few photos the sea's horizon is sloping. Don't worry, a good slope is just what surfers need.

The rather splendid, stepped promenade ended and we now began to follow the sandy trail through the dunes. However, before we entered the dunes, we stopped briefly to chat to a group of volunteers who were preparing to plant Marram Grass which helps to stabilise the blowing sand.  

I say we stopped briefly but Vic, being an inveterate "Nosey Parker " lingered so long we "Lost" him.

The Dunes were not entirely deserted and we met other brave walkers (mainly dog walkers) at intervals along the paths.

Layers of waterproofs made John think he really ought to go on a diet!

We had a short stop sheltering in the dunes to have our coffee break during which a rather flustered Vic caught up with us.  " I thought you'd abandoned me "  he said rather plaintively. "Well. No! We, we stopped frequently to wait but, in the end, decided that as you would know our lunchtime destination (in the planning emails sent out) we would all meet up eventually."

Danny looks very bright and cheerful as we stand up and set off again after our coffee break. But could he be the smiling assassin as he warns us that the day will not end well. As the character in Dad's army declares "We're Aaal doomed. Doomed I tell ya."

The temptation to abandon the dunes was resisted and we cut across to the rather "Damp " water side path. Ahead of us the dunes ended and the promenade began again.

The seaside huts, a delight in a sunny summer, looked rather uninviting as we battled through the strong wind and damp, threatening air.

As we neared the Pier, we came to the Lifeboat Station where a very welcoming volunteer offered to show us round.

Not a lifeboat but this tractor is still a vital part of the equipment with the Cox spending time keeping it in pristine condition

The boat itself was a very impressive "Beast" with an equally impressive "Tractor " to pull it into the water.

THE BOAT!

THE TRACTOR!

The Meanderthals coming down from the viewing platform.

Next stop the Pier and the garden with Les Dawson's statue.

Throughout the day our friendly "Doomsayer" had been forecasting "Catastrophic" (one of his favourite words) rainfall starting about 12 noon. Here he is at Midday doing a little dance of triumph as the rain starts.

"What did I tell ya ?"    OK !   OK !.  But first, Lunchtime.  To be taken in the shelter.

We didn't start our lunches immediately as we had arranged to meet Martin here to "Dine" together. Then, Lo and behold. Bang on time. Martin came into view round the corner.

The shelters on either side of the "Les Dawson" garden provide excellent shelter from which ever direction the weather is coming.

As we ate John (I think a comma is needed as eating John would be a big mistake. Not a very appetising idea.)  threw a crumb of bread to a cheeky starling. Starlings have been put on the "Endangered species" list. You wouldn't have thought so round here. Within seconds, dozens appeared.

They entertained us with their ability to catch small pieces of bread in mid flight.

We couldn't of course leave the area without giving our regards to Mr. Dawson.

So who's the comedian round here?

I should point out at this point that "Danny Doomsayer" is no such thing. He is, in fact, one of the most positive and cheerful members of the group.

As we put things back in our rucksacks and picked up our sticks (poles) evidence of a worsening of the weather was clear to see.

We left the shelter and turned back towards Lytham. The wind was battering against us and heavy rain was lashing into our faces. Barely a hundred yards into our return journey. with water cascading down our waterproofs (we were dry inside them) the decision was taken to abandon our walk. 

Fortunately, Martin was still with us and agreed to take John back to his car when he could return to the shelter to pick up the others.

And so, we drove home with a short diversion to the lifeboat station to retrieve Vic's pole from where he had left it. Forgetting one's stick is usually John's prerogative. 

THE (abrupt) END

JW

p.s. at the lifeboat station we picked up a device to help locate persons who could get  "Lost". Might come in handy on future walks.

No Walk

 NO WALK THIS WEEK !

Sorry readers but this week's walk was cancelled so no report blog.

May I quote a line from a Noel Coward song which makes a sideways swipe at the eccentricity of the English.

"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun"

Well ,perhaps, the opposite is also true.

"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the pouring rain."

We Meanderthals are really not "Mad Dogs" of course. Englishmen certainly and our group does contain it's fair share of eccentricity and undoubtedly has a modest number of "OddBods". All harmless and amiable of course.

There is, of course, more to our walks than simply a weekly workout or a session of benefit to our general health.

As we get older and our walks become "shorter" (well that's the plan anyway) The social side of our meetings becomes increasingly important. Chatting, arguing and laughing becomes just as important as putting one foot in front of the other.

We are certainly not afraid of the rain. We all have excellent head to toe waterproofs. But when the day consists of continuous downpours the walk becomes a head-down trudge with little opportunity for social interaction.  

The weather forecast during the previous few days were avidly and anxiously followed. Rising early your writer consulted several different weather foretellers.  Unfortunately, they were NOT different. They all predicted dire conditions for the whole day   So, telephone calls all round to cancel our walk.

Once again apologies.

John W

SITTING PRETTY

"ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY ?

THEN I SHALL BEGIN " 

Seventy years ago most of the MEANDERTHALS and many of our readers would have heard those words coming out of the wireless (radio), "Listen with Mother" I think. Television was still very limited and black and white, Those words heralded the start of a story read by what would nowadays be called a celebrity.  Celebrity culture was not really so pervasive as it is now and the stories were intended for toddlers. There was not a great deal on the wireless for a younger audience, "Children's Hour." each day and "Children's Favourites" each Saturday  hosted I think by "Uncle Mac". I seem to remember "Teddy bears Picnic"        " Sparky's Magic Piano"  "Christopher Robin and Alice" (at the Palace)  "and "Tubby the Tuba" . Not highly sophisticated but neither are the "Tellytubbies" or "Igglepiiggle" But I am getting carried away...............................

So.........

"ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?

 THEN I SHALL BEGIN."

When the Meanderthals began walking together, many years ago, comfort was not of great importance, We were younger and fitter. (take the rose tinted spectacles off John). We were happy to sit on a grassy mound or even a handy rock.

As we "Matured" however we found damp grass and hard rocks not entirely to our tastes. Nor were wet "Bums",  So padded seats were slipped into our rucksacks .

Wonderful ! But...... ageing limbs and backs began to mean that sitting down was OK  but standing up again needed careful planning. 

We needed proper seating that raised us above ground level.

Folding stools were the answer and they were soon to be found attached to the inside and  outside of our rucksacks. These were fine but had a bad habit of sinking if erected on soft ground. Indeed on one occasion we watched in horror (great amusement actually) as one of our number slowed toppled over as one leg sank into the ground.

("Hey fellas. Are these rucksacks getting a bit heavy ?")

Now...... Old though we have all become, we are still open to innovative ideas and technology. I'm sure our eagle eyed readers will have spotted some rather unusual seating we are now all adopting.

"Well that doesn't look very comfortable" I hear you say " and if you lay it flat you're back were you started.... Ground level,"

Ah.. but no !  A quick twist and a pull and look what we have.

Light, compact and comfortable.   BRILLIANT ! 

(and they don't sink into the ground)

So once again...... 

Are you sitting comfortably?

YES !

Then I shall begin.

We've already begun thanks to Anthony who bought the first one and introduced us to a new style of seating.

THE END

(is comfortably seated)

JW

Whalley

It was a cold but bright and sunny morning as we arrived in Whalley. Although British summertime is officially over, John is refusing to go back to wearing long pants. Vic has decided that as we are visiting an abbey, he might as well look the part.

The entrance to the abbey is through the western gatehouse entrance. There is a cafe to the right hand side of it, but it was closed. Too early for a brew anyway.                                        When the Cistercian monks at Stanlow, on the site of the present refineries decided that the biting winds coming off the Irish sea were too much for them, they decided to move to Whalley in 1297. The Abbot and staff of Sawley Abbey felt this was not to their liking. Monasteries needed plenty of land around, to sustain their occupants, and complained that Whalley was too close to their own abbey. They took their complaint to the Pope. Eventually though, permission was granted and building began in 1320, but was not finished till 1444. I did take some photos of what remains of the abbey, but the bright morning sun overexposed them.

       There is a room above the western gatehouse that was used as a school by the monks. Between the classroom windows is a sundial.                                                                      The last abbot before the dissolution of the monastery was John Paslew. He was one of the leaders of the Pilgimage of Grace. He was executed, some think, on the banks of the river, by the abbey.                                                                                                                                 Following the dissolution, stonework from the dismantled abbey, appears in a number of post thirteenth century buildings in the immediate area.

Next door to the abbey is the Catholic church of English Martyres, Within the grounds of which is an outdoor Stations of the Cross.

Just outside the Eastern Gatehouse of the abbey, is the monumental 600 yds long, with 48 arches railway viaduct. Built by the Victorians in 1850, it carries the line from Blackpool to Clitheroe and beyond into Yorkshire.

          Some said that Vic would look better in a screen set from The Lord of the Rings.

The ever meticulous Victorians even built gothic arches, on either side of the way into the abbey, to mimic the gatehouse behind.

We followed the road alongside the river Calder, passed the Whalley Sewage Works. Pendle Hill is prominent in the background.

We followed a path around the perimeter of the now largely demolished Calderstones mental hospital, originally built as a military hospital during the first world war. It closed in 1995, but some long stay wards still remain.

A large part of the grounds has been and is being developed for housing. Some woodland within the grounds still remains, with paths through it, that seem to be mainly used by dog walkers......... But we don't mind sharing.

Leaving Calderstones we crossed the Mitton Rd and made our way down a well made farm track but once passed the farm, a signpost directed us into a diversion which led through a gate into some very boggy ground. The more rebellious among us found alternative, though not strictly legal ways to avoid it. John our leader, decided that we should go back and take another more direct path, but there was still rebellion in the air, and six to one is not very fair odds, so onwards we went, disregarding the muttering from behind.

On reaching a level crossing over the railway line we had a decision to make. We had been told by a local man that the trains are only one an hour and that he often walks alongside the line to whalley. A train had just gone past. So do we do likewise. Definately not said John, and stood his ground. So straight ahead over the next stile we went towards Barrow.

Had Vic known how many stiles we would encounter on todays walk, I think he would have had second thoughts about wearing his habit today.

As we sat by the side of a narrow farm track having our afternoon brew, I had to concede that John was right all along, and we would have got here much sooner, had we listened to him.

                                                                            More mud

Back in Whalley we called at the graveyard of St Mary and All Saints church, where I had read that there were three Celtic crosses. The crosses are thought to date from the visit of missionaries from Iona in the tenth century.

                   We found two of them, but where a bit unsure about the third.

The church being open we went in. This caged box pew in front of the chancel on the south side was commissioned by Roger Newall of read Hall. He was the magistrate who arrested the Pendle Witches and had them committed to Lancaster in 1612. He had the pew made for his own use in the church. He must have forgotten to ask the vicar first, for he was refused permission to put it in the church. Their followed lengthy but unproductive law suits, and the pew languished in a barn. A compromise of dividing the pew, so that both parties in the dispute had a share was to no avail. It was 70 years later that the pew was placed in it's present position. By then Roger Newall was not in a position to use it. Ownership of the pew carried on to be disputed over the years. The date 1830 on the pew refers to the date it was divided by ecclesiastical court order to resolve the dispute.

The brass memorial on the north side wall, pictures the Catterall family. Behind the father are nine sons, and behind his wife nine daughters. 

 Time getting on, we headed back to the cars, for our journey home. Thanks for a good walk John.                                                                        DK