LANCASTER

OMNIBUS OUTING 

INTO THE UNKNOWN WITH  :- Mike, Danny, Anthony, John.

After catching the bus at The Black Bull and arriving at Lancaster City bus station we set off to start our day.

"Who's got a plan ?"  "Not me"   "Not me"   "Not me"  "Not me".

So off into the unknown.  "Let's see what the Maritime museum has to offer".

We cut through the side streets until we came to St Georges Quay close to the Millennium Bridge.

From here we followed the quayside until we arrived at the Maritime Museum.

 MARITIME MUSEUM 

As it was well past our usual coffee break time we paid our £2 to enter immediately sought out the cafe.

Where a delightful young lady made us coffees and teas and took  a group photo for us.

Oh look.  Afternoon teas for tiddlers !

The wonderful cafe lady then advised us and even took us through to a room where a fascinating but short film told us an awful lot about the history of "Watery" Lancaster.

The museum was packed with artefacts and tableaus of both the river and the equally interesting role of the canal. I'm sure many of our readers will remember the TV programme about Jim and Rosie on a canal boat.

There were examples of the earliest boats (hollowed out logs) as well as real modern boats and models of others.

Here was an example of the kind of work carried from the building we were in.

The next exhibit allowed Mike to tell us all about his work out on the rigs in the Irish Sea.

Here Mike points to the part of the rig he slept in.

and here he tells us about the helicopter trips to get there and the working outfits he needed to wear. Not least he told us about the "In Water" training and tests he had to pass before being allowed to go to the rigs. What a wonderful (and modest) set of fellas are contained within our group.

There are also one or two silly old "F***s" amongst our number 😃😂

There were clothes for kids to dress up in....... so we did !

Is this a Pirate below or just yer average stevedore at the time ? There are hints at the fishing trade.

A rather different image in the "Multi Use"  toilets.  

What a wonderful poem. These emotions echo down the years.  Even now we battle our consciences about global warming. Net Zero means missing out on things we need or rather desire. What should we do ? 

After leaving the museum we followed a footpath that ran behind the warehouses along the quay.

As we walked we asked an official looking gentleman were we on the right track for the castle ?

"Yes" he said Then looking us up and down he added " but it's a very steep path, you'll be puffin' and blowin'"  Cheeky B****r .

He was right . It was steep and we did "Puff" ..... but only a little.

At the top of the stairs, was a path which continued to be steep, and we came across a rather STERN warning !!!!
 

The path levelled out as we reached the church and the Castle.

Lunchtime... so into the Castle.

Although not really evident from the photos there were a large number of schoolchildren from Clitheroe taking their lunch break in the castle grounds. They were noisy but well controlled by the school staff. 

LUNCH IN THE WARM SUNSHINE !

before leaving the Castle and dropping down through the town to Market Street ( Square ?)

In the distance, over the rooftops, we could see another previous walk destination. The Ashton Memorial building in Williamson Park.

As we left the Castle we thought John of Gaunt had once occupied it but were not sure. However, a pub in the town seemed to suggest that he did.

we stayed shortly in the market square next to the City Museum.

Time was pressing, however, and we continued our walk through the shopping streets towards the bus station.

We couldn't fail to be amused by the thought that a short sighted customer had missed the door and walked into the shop window.   

"Should have gone to Specsavers"

Not long after we were on the bus and heading back to Preston.

Has Mike got another appointment ? Is a Helicopter waiting for him ?

A different sort of day but we all agreed that it was enjoyable and successful.

THE END

JW