GARSTANG

 "SINGING THE BLUES"

NOT......Singing the Blues were:-  Danny. Jim. Mike, Anthony and John

But so many were .......

Elvis "Blue Suede Shoes"

Roy Orbison " Blue Bayou"

Bobby Vinton  "Blue Velvet"

The Marcels "Blue Moon"

Tommy Steele "Singing the Blues"

There are literally hundreds of "Blue Songs" and today our walk was decidedly "BLUE".  (Not sad though)

Garstang has been referred to as the Blue Plaque capital of England. It has a lot of them. Here's a decidedly non-blue Danny looking at the first one we encountered.

Leaving this plaque we cut through an alleyway (Weind) leading to the High Street.

As you can see the Weind was rather dark and we nearly missed this plaque.

As well as plaques there were markers pointing down the weinds.

 Thursday is Market day and the streets were busy so photographing some pieces was difficult, This photo of a mounting block spoiled by unavoidable shadows

Had to squeeze between the stalls to take this one.

Almost immediately across the road was the next blue Plaque.

We crossed over the road to walk past the "Old Grammar Scool" now the Arts Centre where we found THREE plaques. Only one blue though.

A little further down the road and heading North away from the high street we took a right turn to follow a track that led to the flood prevention mechanism on the river.

The path was on an embankment which we supposed was the route taken by the historically famous but relatively short lived side line bringing Salt and farm goods from Fleetwood, through Pilling and joining the West Coast Main Line at Catterall. The locomotives whistle was likened to a pig squealing and hence was nicknamed "The Pilling Pig" The engine has been preserved and we have visited it on a couple of occasions.

At the end of the embankment was the large concrete structure of the Flood barrier.

Looking down into the peat stained River Wyre we could see the "barrier" beneath the surface which will rise to hold back the water in times of flood, Nearby fields will accommodate the excess water.

As we walked away from the barrier we met a couple who introduced themselves as Mr and Mrs Bolton. Eric had briefly joined us on our walks some years ago.

Eric, in the light coloured top, was a leading epidemiologist (I think) and when, on one walk, he saw me pick up a recently dead bat. (to photograph) firmly told me to put it down as bats carried multiple harmful pests which could cause quite serious diseases.

Saying our farewells to the Boltons we followed the river as it flowed down through the park and back towards the High Street.

Following on last weeks discussion on the rights and wrongs of feeding bred to ducks, here's the spot on the river where I took my grandchildren with some bread for the ducks, There still seem to be plenty of ducks here as well.

Out of the park and across the CAR park to resume our search for Blue Plaques.

No trouble finding them. They were everywhere.

It said on one of the plaques that a narrow alleyway somewhere hereabouts served as the town's prison cell. Danny searched in vain.

We continued down the High Street where our next blue Plague could be seen on the wall of the Royal Oak Hotel

The road now dropped down towards the old bridge over the river but before we got there we passed the old Town Hall. Somewhere along this stretch there used to be the Bus Station, Here , as youngsters we sat exhausted after "Midnight Hikes " from distant Chipping.   

Last RIBBLE bus into Chipping. 

First RIBBLE bus out of Garstang.   

Eh... Those were the days.

Here we are at the Town Hall but what does the Blue Plaque read.

Just like the BBC this blog strives (not always successfully) to remain politically neutral so you must decide for yourselves what John is holding in his hand.

Moving on we headed towards the Bridge over the Wyre which did in fact take us out of Garstang and into Bonds ( a sort of suburb )

Here we found our next Blue plaque before moving on towards the Catholic Church/

Remember the ancient joke "My dog has no nose.... How does he smell ?   Terrible."

The air around here was, as always in Garstang,  pure and refreshing. (Sycophant)

We now turned back towards the bridge and Garstang proper.

Here a minor miracle occurred. The busy traffic coming in either direction stopped for us to cross.  

Zebra crossing...NO   

Pelican crossing...NO 

Panda crossing...NO 

Bunch of vulnerable, feeble ancients crossing ...YES.  How nice but a bit of a worry really 😟😕

Further alarm when we discovered that the Blue Plaque we had spotted on an old building was now a CARE HOME. Was somebody trying to tell us something.

☝

We had just visited a church. So.  The hand of GOD ???? 

A quick look at the bridge from the other side.

A quick escape before we get signed in as residents. You can just see the blue plaque to the left of the red car. 

Our potter was now almost over,

Thank you. we will try. With the help of the previous encounter with motorists we should succeed.

The attractive but outdated cast iron road signs are disappearing all over Britain. Usually taken away to accommodate road widening. A movement is afoot to try and preserve them. Good Luck.

Just one more Plaque before our search is over (for Now)

Longton

 2026.....AND WE'RE OFF !

Anthony, Danny, John

In the middle of the post festive melange and various "Bugs" scurrying about, our first walk of '25 was some what inauspicious. Only three of us set off for a much "pruned" walk round Longton "Brickworks" nature reserve.

Through the main entrance. Past the welcome sign and the visitor  centre and parked up in one of several scattered parking areas.

centre

As we walked alongside the first lake in the Brickcroft we could see a dark circular patch which was ice free.

The ducks and swan were further away slip-sliding on the ice.

On the other side of the path away from the main lake was a small pond which we assumed was a "Dipping Pond" used by school children in the warmer months. It too, was frozen over. Anthony tested it with his stick and found it to be strong and thick. Reminding of a few screen and sporting idols we have seen.

As in most public parks  and reserves some clever sculptures were on display. Above a Heron with a fish in it's  bill. Below a different bird (Kingfisher) sculpted in a different style and medium.

Here, not a sculpture, but a real live squirrel. Note the birdbox which has the name of it's donor fastened to it. So had all the bird boxes we passed. One could just imagine a pair of bluetits discussing their plans for the day.

 " We could go to Paul and Linda's for a brew then on to Jane and Brian's for lunch."

The hole in the ice again. Further to the right were the usual water birds gathered on the ice.

A powerful promise that ,despite the bitterly cold day, Spring is on it's way. Catkins bursting out of the branches.

A decision to sit a while on one of the many commemorative benches by the lakes brought ducks scurrying across the ice in the hope of being fed.

In recent years the naturalist on the media have been telling us that feeding bread to the ducks is bad for them.  WELL  I haven't the knowledge to gainsay them BUT I shall be celebrating my 80th Birthday this year and have been (as have generations of children) feeding bread and scraps to ducks in the parks for as long as I can remember....Say 77 years... AND THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF DUCKS AROUND,

Stand up straight John. You look each and every one of those 79 years.

Into the car after a refreshing amble round this well kept reserve. when we  soon found an excellent cafe in Longton...... Lunch and then home after a short but very pleasant "Fresh Air" experience.

GOOD CHOICE DANNY

BYE FOR NOW

JOHN W