CLITHEROE REVISITED

 SHORT !!!!

Shortlist ?  Mike, Danny, Anthony, John.

We parked at the long stay Car park beyond the Station and then we walked back under the bridge and into the town.

N0 we didn't.  Danny took us the long way round missing the bridge altogether and following this path. ...... That's Danny for you.

To the North of the railway line. This led us to the road by which we had entered Clitheroe then over the railway bridge.   As we arrived opposite the Methodist Church we crossed over to enter the park and follow the paths to the rear entrance to the Castle. As we entered the park  we discovered the third of the towns wells. We had visited the other two last time we came

After reading the information above the site of the well we stood a while looking towards the Castle and deciding which of several paths we should take.

We walked steeply uphill (Puff, Puff.) to where three paths converged. At this point as we stopped to admire the view (take a breather) Here Danny produced a photograph of Mike in exactly the same spot taken on our last visit.

Instead of taking a left turn to climb straight up the path to the scaffolding enclosed Keep , we found ourselves in an area we had not seen before. It was very "Backdoorish" by which I mean it lacked the splendour, challenge and strength of the main Castle frontage and  though still strong, looked very utilitarian.

Again a short flight of steps took us to almost secretive (back) door and onto the main frontage of the Castle.

Next obvious move was to seek out our first coffees/tea of the day. Wonderful -- there's the cafe lights on and people moving around. Imagine our disappointment to discover that the cafe had closed during COVID time and had never reopened....  😕😠 WHY ?

On turning back we could see that the Keep was also closed with security fencing and shrouded with scaffolding. What a total disappointment.

So down into the town in search of our much needed caffeine shot.

passing, as we descended, the war memorial.

Just before we left the castle grounds we passed one of the cast iron posts which mark the route the sad Lancashire Witches took on their way to Lancaster Castle where they were tried, found guilty and hanged. They were put there in 2012 to mark the 400th anniversary of the trials. Each bears a poem written by the then poet laureate CAROL ANN DUFFY

Out of the Castle grounds and looking for a cafe,

Cafe soon found (one we have enjoyed on previous visits) and as the time was after 11.30 we decided to take an early lunch........ 3 soups and 1 hot crumpet (2 actually as they came in pairs) ......................... and coffees !

Lunch taken we gathered ourselves together in the courtyard

Something appears to to have amused Mike. Was it the fallen glove or the mysterious tiny bottle at his feet ?

John has adopted his usual "Glum" Photo face but would like to assure the reader that he is far from being a "Glum" person and I think (Hope) his companions would concur

Down one of the alleyways in search of adventure (Come off it John. Adventure ??)

All we found was the District Offices and they couldn't even supply us with the usual town maps ...... Adventure indeed !

There was a map posted outside but it wasn't much help.

So on we plodded to the magnificent church which sort of promised adventure of a decidedly unwanted kind.

We took heed.

Getting ready for the "Nativity" scene.

As we left the church it began to rain. That put the cap on our unadventurous day and we quickly made our way back to the car. This time using the railway underpass we had spurned at the start of our walk

Todays walk we had planned to be unplanned. Somehow it didn't "Gel" and left (with me) an unsatisfactory feeling. It did, however, fulfil it's main purpose........

.........To get together and take some exercise whilst enjoying each others company.

C'etait une Bonne Journee !

LA FIN

Monsieur John

 p.s   Threw in a bit of adventurous French there Don't check the grammar.