Blackpool.......Two 'spoons walk!?

Blackpool promenade walk....like we've never done it before!

5 miles, 7 walkers, 2 lunchtime visitors and two pubs.

Walkers: Danny, Jim C, Paddy, Vic, Mick K, Mike H and Anthony.

Martin and John W joined us for lunch.

Blackpool promenade has been a popular walk with us for many years but we've never included a visit to, not one, but two Wetherspoons pubs.

We parked the cars near the Solarium at south shore. 

Our Blackpool Meanderthal, Mick K joined us as we headed to 'spoons no.1, 'The Velvet Coaster'. It takes it name from one of the original rides on the Pleasure Beach. Morning coffee was taken here.

Suitably refreshed, we resumed our walk to the Tower. Nestling in the tower building is 'spoons No. 2, 'The Albert and the Lion' named after the Stanley Holloway monologue. (See below)

 A leisurely lunch was taken here and we were joined by Martin and John 'Two sticks'. 

"......and another small fish & chips?"

Eventually, we resumed our walk with a brisk walk of 2.5 miles back to the cars, trying to avoid the drizzle that had been forecast.


Albert and the Lion
by Stanley Holloway

There's a seaside place called Blackpool

That's noted for fresh air and fun

And Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom 

Went there with young Albert, their son.

A fine little lad were young Albert

All dressed in his best, quite a swell

He'd a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle;

The finest that Woolworth's could sell.

They didn't think much to the ocean

The waves they were piddlin' and small

There were no wrecks and nobody drownded

'Fact, nothin' to laugh at at all!

So, seeking for further amusement

They paid, and went into the zoo

Where they'd lions and tigers and camels

And old ale and sandwiches, too.

There were one great big lion called Wallace

Whose nose was all covered with scars;

He lay in a som-nu-lent posture

With the side of 'is face on the bars.

Now Albert 'ad 'eard about lions-

'Ow they was ferocious and wild;

To see Wallace lyin' so peaceful

Just didn't seem right to the child.

So straightway the brave little fella

Not showin' a morsel of fear

Took 'is stick with the 'orse's 'ead 'andle

And shoved it in Wallace's ear.

You could see that the lion din't like it

For givin' a kind of a roll

'E pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im

And swallered the little lad - 'ole!

Now mother 'ad seen this occurrence

And not knowin' what to do next

She 'ollered "Yon lion's et Albert!"

An' father said "Eee, I am vexed!"

They complained to an animal keeper

Who said "My! Wot a nasty mis'ap!

Are you sure it's your boy 'e's eaten?"

Pa said, "Am I sure?..... There's 'is cap!"

The manager 'ad to be sent for;

'E came and 'e said "Wot's to-do?"

Ma said "Yon lion's et Albert

And 'im in 'is Sunday clothes, too!"

Father said "Right's right, young fella

I think it's a shame and a sin

To 'ave our son et by a lion

And after we've paid to come in."

The manager wanted no trouble;

He took out his purse right away

Sayin' "'Ow much to settle the matter?"

Pa said "Wot do you usually pay?"

But Mother 'ad turned a bit awkward

When she saw where 'er Albert 'ad gone

She said "No, someone's got to be summonsed!"

So that was decided upon.

And off they all went t' p'lice station

In front of a Magistrate chap;

They told what 'ad 'appened to Albert

And proved it by showing 'is cap.

The Magistrate gave 'is opinion

That no one was really to blame

And 'e said that 'e 'oped the Ramsbottoms

Would 'ave further sons to their name.

At that Mother got proper blazin':

"And thank you, sir, kindly, " said she-

"Wot, spend all our lives raisin' children

To feed ruddy lions? Not me!"

Ascent of Lingmoor Fell. Walkers Michael D and Danny K

.

Leaving the village of Elterwater we began the ascent climbing up along woodland paths.

Out of the woods the snow capped summit of Wetherlam lay ahead of us.

But Wetherlam was not our target. Our path turned to the right, little Langdale Tarn is in the valley below.

Looking back, Elterwater is in the centre of the picture and Windermere more distant and to the right.

The temperature was a few degrees above freezing, but the wind chill made it feel much colder. We found a sheltered spot to have our morning brew though.

Michael on the summit of Lingmoor Fell. The wind was wild.

Danny on the Summit.

The Langdale Pikes under dark clouds make an atmospheric backdrop to this picture.

Blea Tarn in the valley below.

We dropped down to a lower level path on the way back passing many part built structures such as these which would have been used by the quarrymen.

We had dinner in the shelter of a small disused quarry

This gate has been converted into a stile by welding footplates onto the rails.

The massive Burlington Quarrie just outside the village of Chapel Stile.

The Britannia Inn back in Elterwater.
6.5 miles total ascent of 2675 ft
Thanks for another good walk Michael.

Caption Pic 11th Jan

"Many hands make lights work!"
" ........ and I crept up to the creature and was just about to grab it 
when ..... *****!"
"Just like that ! With nothing up my sleeves I can get us all a drink for free."  
( It's "All Inclusive" Danny. )
"And the bottle of brandy was just there ..... waiting!!"
Ok.  Second word..two syllables.....   
Yoga ?  No Yoghart? No Yogi Bear ? No
" ... and then there could be another bottle! Just for us?"

Yarrow Valley Country Park. Walkers Anthony. Martin. Vic. Paddy and Danny

The weather forecast for today was much improved from that which was forecast earlier in the week. Our walk started from The Yarrow Valley Visitor Centre. We decided to have our morning brew at the visitor centre cafe, before getting kitted up, ie changing into more suitable footwear.

Paddy is still in the christmas spirit.

Vic leads the way along a well constructed path, unaware of the trials ahead of us.

The rest of us follow on behind.

Looking back from the far end of the lake.

We continued following the path along the left bank of the River Yarrow. The heavy rain of the previous night ensured a good flow of water over the weir.

From here on, for the next mile or so, the path became quite hazardous. Up and down slippery banks, squelching through mud,
we were very fortunate that none of us ended up having a fall.

Paddy is trying his best to keep his boots clean, by skirting round the outside.

While others just wade through it'

Surviving many hazards, we arrive at a bridge where we cross to the other side of the river, but our trials continue, with yet more slutchy slippery paths.

The tree of the week

Vic still leads the way.

Reaching the highest point of our walk, Martin produces from his bag, a flask of fire water and five glasses, cheers Martin

Back down into the valley, we return to the visitor centre up the opposite side of the lake. Boots changed we return to the visitor centre cafe for lunch.
The End

Caption Pic 4th Jan

"Is this the way to Bethlehem, Danny?"
"How much room have you got in your freezer Anthony ?"
"Baa, baa!"
Prime pasture or pasture prime?
"Just following on as a normal Meanderthal walk...….. except THEY know where they're going."
Who's lookin' after these sheep ? Little Boy Blue ...under the haystack fast asleep. I reckon Little Bo Peep's sleeping with him.
 (Ooooh !  I did not mean that . Wash yer mouth out. )

First walk of a new decade!

2nd January 2020

Five Meanderthals came out of Christmas hibernation for a short walk, 4 miles in total from London Road to Avenham Park via Walton-le-Dale and returned along part of the Guild Wheel.

Walkers: Vic, Jim D, John R, Mike H and Anthony were joined at the Pavilion Cafe in Avenham Park by Martin and 

John W, on crutches and with his new knee!

Tree of the week

'Grafton' playing fields at Factory Lane, Lower Pwnwortham...
a place of reminiscence for many Preston Catholic College old boys!

It's a long time since we went cross-country running down this lane.

The Park Hotel and the now derelict LCC office block on the left.

The West Coast mainline and The Continental pub just visible
under the right arch. 

The 'combination' bridge over the River Ribble.
Trains and pedestrians (right) shared this bridge many, many years ago.

Looking towards the Old Tram Bridge, now closed to the public because it is unsafe.

Lovers' Locks abound on the bridge

'P' and 'B' placed a double lock!