ASHTON

 MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR  5 Miles

Magic Wand...erers.  John W, Anthony, Danny, Mike.

Four uncertain Meanderthals sat in Anthony's front room debating where to go after listening to forecasts of bitter cold, rain, sleet or snow. Eventually we agreed on a walk that was not too long, offered some form of shelter and had the certainty of an open cafe  en route.

The route of the "Magical Mystery Tour"  (Roughly.

Here we are preparing to set of from Haslem Park.

The snowdrops we had viewed a short time ago had given way to Crocuses and daffodils.

Down through the park to the lake where Danny "Dolittle" had brought food for the birds.

The yellowish patch is where Danny had scattered the bird food.

Notice the "weather" slanting across the photo.

Leaving the lake we crossed the park towards the long avenue and the exit gates.

I did mention the daffodils didn't I ?

"Turn Round !"

"That's It !"

We were not yet done with Croci............ Look at this magnificent display as we walk down towards the docks.

We crossed the busy roads and made our way to the welcoming warmth of a cafe.

But what's this ? A row of miniature beach huts. We enquired within and discovered they were individual dining tables used in the summer. That's Nice !

This is obviously an excellent cafe.  Just look at that wonderful selection of scones. John W was sorely tempted.....but it's Lent.

Three cappuccinos and a tea downed and off we go again.

The weather had not improved as we left the cafe and with the swirling snow blowing into the lens photos of the dock basin were decidedly difficult hence no view of the extensive basin.

After crossing at the locks we kept well away from the water and chose to walk within the shelter of the modern apartment buildings.

Lunchtime was upon . but where to find Shelter ?

Well. Here actually. We totally ignored the dangers of Old Bones being able to drag themselves up from a semi-prone position and sat on the floor of a cinema emergency exit door.

Well. We all managed to drag ourselves to a standing position again.

"What's with the shades John ?" "I'm auditioning for a part in the new Netflix film "International Man of Mystery" ............ "NO CHANCE ! "

We continued our walk passing the front of the cinema complex.

This historic marine relic is in sore need of a coat of paint.

John has long admired the door "Handle" of the Old Dock House and took the opportunity to take a closer look.

We now found ourselves in an area of terraced housing with which both Danny and John had some historic affinity. John's ancestors lived in the area and Danny's place of employment had been here.

Do you remember looking at Ordnance Survey maps and seeing the icons used to denote these two types of churches ?

Those cobbles were probably put down well over a hundred years ago.  they  still looked almost brand new.  Is there a lesson to be learned here.

Danny outside his former workplace. "MERCERS"

Wherever we walk at the moment signs of the coming spring are evident. Noticeably the trees full of white blossom alongside many of our roads.

We had just walked past Sacred Heart  school where Martin had served as headteacher when all of a sudden we found ourselves at the bottom of Tulketh Brow.

St Walburge's spire ( third highest in the country) continues to amaze even though we know it well.

Opposite this familiar bridge was an alleyway known to Danny ........

.......... which led us to the canal.

After a brief backtrack to take what was possibly the only COLOURFUL photograph on this GREY day ............  

........ we set off again to follow the canal back to Haslem Park and the car.

The gardens on the opposite bank where often cultivated or decorated in unique and characterful styles. Canals are not still waters there is a current if only minimal  .Here, at the start of the canal the flow really is minimal allowing pond weed to spread across the surface

The pirates of the Caribbean ?  Well no  "Ashton" actually.

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Three bridges later we arrived at Haslem Park.

It had been, what in Scotland is known as,  a "Dreek"  day but inspite of the incessant wind, sleet, snow and rain. Our "collegiate" planning had produced an enjoyable walk. Thanks to each an every member for contributing to this unplanned and unexpectedly good  walk. (I think Danny contributed most 😀)

Just a few hundred yards through the park and we arrived at the car and set off for home.

JW