CLITHEROE 16/11/'23

 AN "AMAZING" DAY    4 Miles 

MYSTICS :-  John, Danny and Anthony.

After picking John up in Grimsargh we drove to Clitheroe were we parked soon after crossing Edisford Bridge and were soon on our way towards the town centre.

Who's idea was it to plant a tree in the middle of the footpath ?? 

On up the road past the church of St. Paul's.

Till there in the distance we spied the castle keep.

As we entered the town proper we passed this quite lovely terrace of houses. Having their cellars in use  they were seemingly quite "Roomy" accommodations.  

This plaque was on the wall of one of the terraced houses. It appears to have been written in "Council Speak" i.e. Rather boring !

Soon we entered the very pleasant  park which surrounded the Castle. This signpost rather puzzled us as no matter where we looked no precipitous hill or towering fells or mountains could we see.

Behind the wall in the photo is the path we were to take leading up to the castle keep. The friendly natives insisted on telling us that the keep was closed off. This was kind of them although we already knew. (We do plan our walks 👍)

The friendly natives also insisted on taking a photo of a happy Danny, A happy Anthony and a totally Gormless looking John.

Down below us as we climbed the hill was the park ( if you look carefully you will see, centre page, a neatly cut "Maze"..... or was it a maze ?..... tell you later.

There, also, was the bandstand which Lawrence, one of our occasional walkers, has played in with the concert band.

We continued up the slope towards the "Closed" Keep. Possibly the smallest such building in the country.

Through this archway and onto the plateau which overlooks the town.

Anthony appears to be emulating the pose of the memorial soldiers. (Inadvertently ?)

'

The ever thoughtful Danny is replacing the pads he handed out as we stopped for a coffee break.  Thanks Danny.

Anthony pointed out that there was something poignant about the way the soldier appears to be watching over the town.

From the terrace we could clearly see how the keep was fenced off from the public. No explanation seemed to be given. Unless we failed to read the notices.

Once again we are directed to the pinnacle. We then remembered that it was a piece of the Parliamentary buildings acquired from London when refurbishment/rebuilding work was being done.

After admiring him from above we now passed him as we left the castle grounds.

As we neared the exit Clitheroe's handsome high street lay before us.

After engaging with the Lancashire Witches in Lancaster last week we bumped into them again at the castle entrance.

One of the poems written by Carol Anne Duffy (Former Poet Laureate)  which can be found at intervals on the route taken by the witches on their journey from Pendle to Lancaster before their trial.

After exploring the streets of Clitheroe we searched for and found a cafe where we could get a bite to eat.

On the next table were three "Jolly" ladies with whom we engaged in some quite amusing if at times barbed badinage.

 

Next to the cafe we found a "gathering" of baby buggies outside a business called "Paint Pot".  Inside were lots of young mums and children obviously having a great time. It brought to mind scenes from old "Western" films where a line of horses were tied up to a handrail outside the saloon whilst inside were the Cowboys enjoying themselves. But what was going on here ?

Back on the castle dominated High street the ever inquisitive Danny suddenly disappeared down a decidedly narrow alleyway. We followed.

It led us to a rather attractive little square quite unlike the sensibly welcoming, stoneclad  style of the rest of the town.  

Was it private accommodation or business property. We were quite unsure. Either way it was very attractive.

From here steep steps led us down to an apparently very old part of the town from which a strangely named, steep, cobbled street. took us back to the Castle area.

As we re-entered the castle grounds we spotted this message-bearing bench. In smaller print (too small to see) we found that it had been placed by  " Dementia support"

Walking at our now usual pace ( from Slow to Stop) we were passed by two of the young mums we had seen near the cafe. They told us it was all about art work for parents and their youngsters to do together. Wonderful !

And all the time we were being watched from above......NO.. Not the Almighty......... Just the squirrels.

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Our route would now take us back through the park. But Look .... there's that "Maze ?"  again. But is it a Maze ?  See at the end of the blog.

Look carefully.... No dead ends !

Guess What !  A welcome sight for old fellas.

So back through the side streets on our way back to the car.

Hold it. There's a train.

The backstreets of Clitheroe  includes these backyards and alleyways.

But what are these filled in hatches ?  Well......................

....... Remember these houses were built before the days of universal WCs (Water Closets) and the 💩 had to be taken away somehow from the little room at the bottom of the yard. But let's quickly move on.

A final stop to finish flasks and take brief rest.

and quite frankly these two look like they need  a rest,

That's it............... Oy !  What about the maze ?

Maze:-  a pathway designed to challenge, puzzle and confuse with dead ends and hidden corners. Usually for fun.

Labyrinth :- A pathway with no obstacles or puzzles but designed to take you a long way round to meet your goal and then return. In ancient times it had religious or spiritual meaning.

Today we found a labyrinth. A specific type of Maze.

JW