MYERSCOUGH

 NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED 6+ Miles

Normal walkers (?) :- Danny, Anthony Martin Vic

                                      Mike, Jim, John,  Lawrence.

After a week without a walk eight Meanderthals gathered in a quiet corner of Barton Grange Garden centre's car park.

After days of seemingly continuous rain the low winter sunshine was very welcome.  (even though it made photography difficult)

We left the car park and joined the A6 road and turned left to cross the canal bridge. It seemed that a vehicle had come off the road and smashed into the bridge parapet.

We dropped down from the bridge and began our walk , as often before,  along a canal.

Just across the canal was the very successful Marina opened in 2010 as a part of Barton Grange's  extensions.

A short distance along the canal we came to a short but essential aqueduct over the river Brock.

HELLO !  We appear to have been joined by a Jedi Knight. Light Sabres at the ready.

Perhaps he is saying "Stop. No further. Leave the canal now". Well you can't argue with a man wielding a light sabre. So we did.

We were now on the rather muddy track leading to Myerscough College.

Myerscough College enjoys an excellent reputation for all manner of outdoor occupations notably grounds maintenance. Some of its former pupils being employed at major sporting venues both here and abroad.

"Hello Dobbin. Are you into grounds maintenance ? "   " Neigh ! But then if you include organic fertilizer...... Absolutely. "

 "

"NATIONAL ARBORICULTERAL CENTRE".... It's hard to say that ! "

The entrance to the cafe was through "Plant World". As it was by now lunchtime it was again decided to merge our coffee time into lunch. There were plenty of benches OUTSIDE the cafe but as at least one Meanderthal was uncomfortable with using these to eat and drink our own stuff, we sought seating within the grounds.

In the next photo you will see Jim quickly putting his flask away, Why ? To stop John pinching more of his excellent Italian coffee. John had inadvertently picked up the wrong flask and filled his own cup, He was , it must be said, mystified as to why his milky coffee had turned black !

Off again,  and which path to follow . Across the lawn or down this rather pretty path.

We have said in the past that there is frequently an owl sculpture somewhere on our walks. But this is surely taking the Micky !!!

We left Myerscough behind and followed the road as far as Moss Lane. One section of this busy road  was rather dodgy (no pavements ) but it was only a short stretch.

As we walked we came across a bit of a conundrum, Which fork in the path should we take.

Yes,, Yes... I know I've used that pathetic joke before but I couldn't resist.

We walked safely along the grass verge.

Before crossing over to follow Moss Lane.

About half a mile down Moss Lane we turned aside to follow a short farm track down to the canal once again.

There's leader Danny waiting to make sure we didn't miss the gateway down to the canal.

Once again we followed the canal.

Until we came to this bridge.

Beyond which was.................................. GUY'S Leisure complex.

One part of the facilities was a bowling green on which several of us have played. We took advantage of this to shelter from the cold wind and finish off our flasks.

There was also a "Wishing Well". So our photographer made a wish.

Think the wishing facility was faulty !!

As we left Guy's we saw this message but as we had only been drinking our coffee we decided it didn't apply to us.

We turned south on the A6 but soon left it to walk through this rather pretentious though impressive development.

Quickly past this small area stopping to investigate this unusual contraption. What is it ?  There is a clue in the word contraption.

Out onto a road again next to St Hilda's Church.

There was an unusual device over the church door and we spent a little time trying to work out the motto.

The first word me surmised might have something to do with speed,  "Celer" is contained in the word Accelerate. Jim was confident that the middle word was "And" and we all knew that fidelis  meant "Faith"

So it must refer to the dogs (hounds) being "Fast and Faithful" but what is the religious connection. A beneficiary perhaps ?

We walked through the church grounds to reach the road back down to the A6.

Our walk was nearly over as we ambled down to the A6 and back to Barton Grange.

As we "Ambled" we passed two objects that bore the initials YFC. What could they be, After much pondering we eventually guessed they must refer to the local branch of the Young Farmer's Club. Were we right ?

An excellent walk Danny. Well planned and well done.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS

JW

p.s. The writer  must remind the reader that the blog is only the views and opinions of the writer as he sees it.  Other walkers might see and have different ideas about each walk. The writer welcomes comments from both participants and readers and the Email address is available at the top of the pages.

 

Lancaster

It's a nice sunny morning as we set off on our walk, but as with the last couple of walks, there is a biting cold wind. The church in the background is the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Peter. It stands on the banks of the Lancaster canal, which conveniently is where we start our walk

The iron arch support under the bridge has the name Joseph Clayton stamped on it, and the date 1876. The canal itself was opened in the 1790s, so the bridge was possibly widened in that year. Our walk begins in the opposite direction however, heading south.

Across the canal is the White Cross business park. It was originally a cotton mill. It was purchased by William Storey in 1856.

On reaching South Road we had to leave the canal, cross over the busy road, cross to the opposite side of the canal, and drop back down again to rejoin the canal tow path by the Water Witch pub.

A little way further on, and we have to cross over yet again. But it all adds to the interest of the walk.

This intriguing art work was anonymous. No one was claiming recognition for it.

Being a bunch of old guys, we could adopt this one as our mascot.

Now that's what I call a substantial footbridge.

We left the canal at this point and crossed over the road. The house is one of two Aldcliffe Hall gatehouses. The house is unoccupied at the present time, but there were some building materials round the back, suggesting that it is about to have a refurbishment. John and Anthony were in discussion about which path to take from here. It was decided to take the drive alongside the gatehouse.

On the left of the drive, at the top of the brow is a small number of substantially built executive style houses. At the time of walking by them, I wouldn't have had any inclination  to live in such a hostile environment, on account of the biting cold wind. That is if I was in a position to be able to afford one. Aldcliffe is named after a viking chief named Alda, who made his home here. It may have been a more hospitable place in Alda's day. A large outcrop of rock gave the name to the other half of the Aldcliffe name and would no doubt have provided some shelter, but the cliffe is no longer there. It has been gradually quarried out of existence over the years to provide the stone for many of the buildings in Lancaster.

Further along the lane, on the opposite side of the road, our attention was attracted by this unusual designed pair of gates. The owner of the bungalow. an elderly man,  came over to talk to us. He told us that he had made the gates himself, in his garage. The open panels are made from stainless steel box section which he said he had welded up himself also.

At the end of Aldcliffe Hall lane. For that's what the lane was called, we came to another gatehouse that was built 60 years after the first one. The hall itself was demolished in 1960

We searched in vain for somewhere comfortable to have our dinner, i.e. a picnic table, or even a bench. Lancaster City Council need to get their priorities right. But maybe we should have contacted them in advance to let them know we were coming.😉

John, our leader, had lost his car keys at the beginning of our walk. He searched all his pockets. He searched in Martin's car, who he had travelled with, but could he find them?
The keys were found at dinner time when he removed hi hat, and found them inside it 😅
We all do silly things though when you get to our age though. Having said that, if anyone loses anything in the future, you know where the first place they'l be told to look for it will be don't you? 😡

Dinner time and it's accompanying hilarity over, we continued along what was, the route of the old Lancaster to Glasson Dock railway line back into Lancaster. Just getting back to the cars in time before the parking tickets expired. It may have been cold but it was enjoyable even so. Thanks John,
DK