This marvellous cycle shop. It was a charity taking donated bikes and refurbishing them to sell at very affordable prices. From classy adult bikes to tiny toddler ones.
at the rear of the "Shop" was a gentleman working on newly donated bikes.
In the Arndale centre there were other recycling shops and others offering value for money shopping.
Leaving the Arndale centre we again struggled somewhat to find the start of our walk.
Throughout the day we asked passers by for directions. They were invariably willing but in most cases completely useless.
Giving directions such as. "Go down there. Turn right then left and it's near the roundabout." But which right or left turns did they mean. At least two people said they had lived in Accrington all their lives. When asked for directions or what a prominent feature was said. " No idea !" or " don't ask mate I 'aven'a clue." But they did TRY to be helpful.
By now caffeine had become an essential.
A rose between two THORNS ?
Danny asked for directions from a market stallholder. He returned to tell us "It's that way". AND HE WAS RIGHT !
Although much of the town seemed rather downbeat there were some handsome buildings which spoke of previous wealth.
This building was for "Senior Citizens" but it was securely locked
But look, here come the senior "Citizens". Very SENIOR indeed they look.
At last we found ourselves at the start of our walk.
It started alongside what appeared to be a large Mill Lodge which was full of waterfowl . Largely the invasive Canada Geese.
Standing sentinel on either side of the track were some mysterious metal.... ........ Thingies ? On asking several locals what they were ....... DUNNO !
Climbing up one of them was a stainless steel lizard of some kind.
The pinkish coloured objects look to have been manufactured to have "Strength". If anyone knows what was their purpose we would be glad to know,
We continued to follow the footpath which itself was following the route of closed railway line.
Noticing, with some distaste, the number of empty beer cans that had been tossed into the undergrowth on either side.
.
We had walked the best part of a mile ( a gently rising mile) when we came to what was obviously an old bridge over a railway. The first really tangible evidence that this had indeed been a rail route.
The track would continue for about another three quarters of a mile. Although we had planned to continue towards it's end, our mornings confusions had left us late and at least one member of our group is rather particular when it comes to dining times.
We left the track and climbed up onto the bridge so we could follow another footpath back to the town.. Mike stayed below to take a photograph. We had some difficulty peering over the bridge's unusually high parapet. That's me waving mi stick. "Can you see me mother ?" She may have done but it would not have been an earthly viewing !!!
Jim patiently waits on the other side of the bridge whilst others wait for a photo opportunity.
The path now became rather wilder and muddy after the level dry surface of the old railway track.
We always like to take a bridge photo when we get the opportunity. It has become a tradition over the years. This one was in danger of being spoiled by a large wooden object. The tree looks very nice though.
It was the fallen tree in the brook I wanted to photograph . Instead a rather good shot of these two handsome gents appeared
Is it any wonder we wander about aimlessly from time to time.
It wasn't long on our shortened walk before we re-entered the edge of Accrington.
