The Meanderthals: PRESTON DOCKS

IN THE DOCK 4.5 miles

Plaintiffs :- Danny "The Prof" Kirkby

John "The Joker" Whittle

Anthony "King of the Keyboard " Donlan

Charge :-

"Loitering suspiciously on many O-ccasions and even more LO-cations !"

Enough of this nonsense. Tell us about the walk.

The walk ? Oh yes of course........ the walk ! Before you begin I must apologise for the standard of the photographs. The low winter sun crept into many of them.

With illness and personal circumstances taking a toll, only three of us climbed out of the car close to the locks divided the Saltwater and Freshwater docks. The photo above shows us crossing the bridge which takes pedestrians. motorists and steam engines across the dock waters.

Rather a confusion of boats in the yard for the winter or perhaps repairs.

Somewhere up the line there is a steam Engine museum.

We had heard of an excellent cafe nearby and set off in search of it.

The cafe, which was obviously word playing on the famous "Hard Rock Cafes", proved to be an adequate cafe with good coffee and snacks. We enjoyed both. (it was "Elevenses" time)

Then we continued to walk westward to see what was there.

This was there.

There are the rails we saw earlier.

Having taken grandchildren on one of the steam powered trips I can happily recommend it.

Cutting through the strips of woodland lining the road --"Chain Caul Way" -- we continued westward in search of the Millenium Wheel. (cycle and footpath)

It was easy to find. Just follow the direction arrows.

We take a breather to admire the surprisingly pretty views.

As almost immediately we came to a bench offering lovely views of the Ribble at high tide. We rarely leave an empty bench without warming it up a little.

and here we came across a sad reminder of a fellow walker or cyclist who had died as he negotiated the "Circle".

Unusual (to us) was this umbrella shaped anchor. Without gripping "flukes" it seemed designed to use water pressure to slow the vessel down. Anyone ???

We were now walking back towards the dock itself.

Walking back towards the dock with the Bullnose projection behind John and Anthony.

Looked back to where the Ribble seemed very big with the tide still flooding in.

As we approached the locks we discovered that there was a footpath over them which would take us onto the Bullnose.

As we crossed the lock gates we were rather puzzled by the water boiling into the lock. Perhaps it was river water being let into the basin.as the flood tide reached it height.

Once on the bullnose we stopped shortly to talk to the anglers who were hoping to catch Plaice, Fluke and if really lucky the odd Codling.

Staying on the same side of the saltwater Basin we walked on before once again crossing the footpath/car/train bridge.

After crossing the water once again we passed this cleverly created seat, made out of a giant cogwheel, before arriving at the "Beach huts" cafe.

After the troubles with the unpleasant and toxic blue/green algae which had bloomed in the dock it seemed that the dragon boat racing had been resumed and the figure heads were being stored on the beams of the cafe.

The cafe was very popular and we were warned as we ordered our food that it might be 25 minutes before it came. No problem. We were not in a hurry.

We were glad we had not ordered chips as above our heads was a flock of seagulls, Notorious "Chip Snatchers".

Danny insisted on introducing us to his friend. It's amazing what comes into the mind when idly waiting.

Danny waits outside for the Toilet visitors to catch up.

Leaving the cafe behind we set off along the busy Northern side of what has been vaunted as the largest single dock basin in the country. AND St Walburge's Church spire said to be the third highest spire in the country topped only by Salisbury Cathedral and Norwich Cathedral both being listed as higher.

Cap'n Bird's Eye ? More like Captain Pugwash but it's just John being a poseur.

It is difficult to understand the purpose of this lighthouse 20 miles from the sea and well inland of any water. perhaps it's just a decorative "Folly".

Rather a grand building at the end of the dock. Not sure what it is for.

We continued our walk around the perimeter of the basin and it really was BIG. Well illustrated by this shot. We excitedly recalled the New years eves when as small children our parents woke us up at midnight to hear the TIMBER CARRYING boats from Scandinavia and Russia as well as the BANANA boats from the West Indies blasting out their hootings into the dark skies. They could be heard for miles.