GREAT ECCLESTON

 "AROUND THE BEND" 3.5 miles

LOOPY LEGSTRETCHERS :- Jim, John, Mike, 

                                                  Danny, Anthony.

Yes dear readers. Our ageing crew have finally gone round the bend - Well, LOOP actually. A loop in the course of the River Wyre

And there it is.........

But let's start at the beginning...............

We parked South of the village next to St Mary's Church.

Passing through village we came to a rather "Bland" track taking us down to the busy road from Garstang to Blackpool.

After crossing (carefully) the busy and speedy road a stile led us into a farmyard. The path led off to the right but no footpath was indicated.

Someone could be heard working in the building so we went to ask rather than possibly upset the land owner.

A delightful smiling farmer told us that we were on the right track but advised us not to go down that way as it was knee deep in Mud. " Go a bit further down the road there is a much drier track which leads straight to the river."

And so there was !

A few minutes and a short climb later we were on the footpath along the top of the levee above the waters of the Wyre.

In the distance was a footbridge crossing the Wyre to the St Michael's road. 

By the time we reached the bridge (and pipeline) John at least was feeling the strain of lack of exercise (New Knee). So we had a few minutes rest.

John soon recovered and we set again along the Levee towards the Cartford Arms and the toll bridge.

As we continued our walk Mike pointed out an attractive building across the river , This during the fifties and sixties had been the locally famous "Dish Dolls" cafe and restaurant.     mmmmm  ?  ........ we were all old enough to remember it.

In general there was little to impede our progress (SLOW progress) just the occasional gate usually accompanied by a stile, Take your pick.

By now we were nearing the Restaurant and the Toll Bridge.

As we approached we found evidence of a saying often used in nature "Red in tooth and claw" Many, possibly most young birds, never reach maturity.  Indeed some naturalist aver that the large clutches laid by some birds (notably blue tits)  are actually pre-destined to be food for larger predators.

Outside the Carters Arms were about half a dozen greenhouses with not a tomato in sight. Instead there were tables chairs and benches and a heater. This enabled diners to be outside enjoying the view but still staying warm and dry whatever the weather. What a great idea. Mike told us he had similar plans for his greenhouse. 

The Cartford Arms was , of course , right next to the Cartford Toll Bridge

At the start of the bridge was a list of charges for different vehicles. Mike was a little put out to see that there appeared to be no charge for bicycles. "They charged me 10p last time." As there appeared to be no charge for pedestrians Jim suggested that he should carry his bike over next time !😉

We left the Restaurant and the bridge to climb up , what to this Neo-synovial , felt like a steep rise.

During the Sixties, the "Pub" , as it was then , lay at the bottom of a quiet lane and John visited it on a few occasions with his guitar as it hosted "Folk" evenings. It has been considerably developed since with some quite spectacularly "Up Market " Residences.

Outside one residence was this charming and witty area set aside for Mini-Beasts.

It does not show up in the photo but the insect condominium was labelled " Bee & Bee"

As we recrossed the busy main road and entered the village (Great Ecclestone) we were both fascinated and charmed by the number of Ancient, attractive and interesting buildings it contained.

"BEWARE OF THE DOG"  thanks for the warning !

We now searched for a cafe........ and found a rather nice one.

The cafe when we went in was virtually empty

By the time we left it was full and busy

As we left even the outside tables (it was quite chilly) were being occupied.

It was only a short walk now back to the car but your photographer could not resist a picture of what, on the surface, looked like a very unusual "Raised flower  Bed". or am I being unnecessarily cynical 

I think, maybe in the summer, when it is full of flowering plants it would be a beautifully respectful symbol of the church's beliefs.

and so to home after a most refreshing blow by the river and an unexpected "treat" of a village.

JW

LEYLAND

 WORDEN PARK 

SNAILSPACERS :- Anthony, Mike, Danny

                                  John , Paddy,  Jim.

We are blessed with many fine parks in and around Preston and Worden Park in Leyland doesn't let us down.

After parking in a seemingly up market suburban Road - Parkgate Drive we crossed the bridge from the road into the park. 

"SNAILPACERS" ???    I must remind readers that as the years pass quickly our walking speed does not . Our walking pace is no longer of "Olympic Standard"   Was it ever ???

Paddy can just be seen at the rear left of this photo,

A few directions from John.........         This way Paddy !

before we set off across the top end of the park.

Past the large and attractive children's play area

We briefly considered cycling round the park but didn't fancy the saddles. Seriously, however, what an imaginative  style of bike rests.

Here we are at a junction. Follow the narrow strip of woodland straight ahead of us or follow the tarmac path to the car park in the distance ?

We took the woodland path.

Arriving at the busy car park it looked like some naughty child had been told to "Hop It"

Did I say the Car park was busy ?  well it was BUT one section was closed off . WHY?

This well, and probably expensively, appointed section was closed off. Again WHY

These equally well appointed steps led steeply down to Shaw Brook which was flowing through an understandably soggy wood.

Although the woodland floor on either side was sodden, the path itself remained almost entirely sound and dry.

As well as the ubiquitous bluebells wild garlic grew alongside the path. 

Some of the BLUEbells were WHITE but that is surely an oxymoron and we don't need anymore morons on our walks.

"C'mon" says our erstwhile leader as he forged ahead.

Is this the remains of an old building or simply a folly .

Paddy came to take a closer look.......... I think.

Leaving the rather damp but non the less attractive valley we climbed up and as lunchtime loomed we headed for the cafe complex.

BUSY ?  It certainly didn't appear so from the outside.

The food and drink were all very good but also in my opinion very expensive, In fact the most expensive of the many cafes we have visited.

Paddy was determined to "Kill" his offering before he consumed it.

DOGS !  I shall probably be offending some people at this point. There were a lot of dogs in the cafe.  At one point two them started fighting. This is not good. People are very fond of their dogs and understandably so. I myself like dogs but NOT in cafes and restaurant where non doggy people come for a quiet , undisturbed lunch. During our lunch one dog left it's owner and trailed it's lead round our feet under the table.  As no-one came to retrieve it one of our group (me)  stood up and said in a loud voice "HAS ANYONE LOST A DOG ?" It's owner eventually came to retrieve it without explanation or real apology.

There. That's it . I shall now keep my head down to avoid various flying missiles.

I hope Paddy has another leg !

Here's Mike emerging from the maze. He was the only one of us brave enough to enter it. (After two metres he turned round and came out..... We have all done it several times before i must add)

Rap on the knuckles for John here. He told the group we were visiting the old Yew Tree, WRONG !!!!!  It was a CEDAR OF LEBANON,   That's blown his dendritic credentials completely.

and so to the cars and home. 

"On the trail of the lonesome..... er..Pine?..Ash? ..Willow?....Horse ch?......      ..............TREE !"

JW