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!

Caption Pic 28th Dec

"Is this the road to Damascus then?
"We'd better turn right here, we need all the help we can get!"
"Ah Good ... Samaritans ...They might get us a room for the night  ...... 
and pay the bill!"

Poetry for Meanderthals!!

I was shown this poem over Christmas, which I'm sure will appeal to a Meanderthal sense of Humour......!!

Christmas Day in the Workhouse

by Ronnie Barker

inspired by George R. Sims

It was Christmas Day in the workhouse,

The merriest day of the year,

The paupers and the prisoners

Were all assembled there.

In came the Christmas pudding,

When a voice that shattered glass

Said, "We don't want your Christmas pudding,

So stick it there with the rest of the unwanted presents".

The workhouse master then arose

And prepared to carve the duck.

He said, "Who wants the parson's nose?"

And the prisoners shouted, "You have it yourself, sir!

The vicar brought his bible

And read out little bits.

Said one old crone at the back of the hall,

This man gets on very well with everybody.

The master rose to make a speech,

But just before he started,

The mistress who was fifteen stone,

Gave three loud cheers and nearly choked herself

And all the paupers then began

To pull their Christmas crackers.

One pauper held his too low down

And blew off both his paper hat and the man's next to him.

The mistress, dishing out the food,

Dropped custard down her front.

She cried,"Aren't I a silly girl?"

And they answered, "You're a perfect picture as alway's ma'am!"

So then they all began to sing

Which shook the workhouse walls.

"Merry Christmas!" cried the master

And the inmates shouted; "Best of luck to you as well sir!?

(from 'Dancing by the Light of the Moon' by Gyles Brandreth)

MEDICAL 5

Postscript :-

After his very positive and so far successful knee replacement operation. John W joined the rest of the "gang" for an "End of Year" luncheon at Wetherspoons. 

Lunch over he was on the pavement outside waiting for Martin G who had gone to fetch the car to run him home. As he waited, leaning on his crutches, a young lady walked past. She was rather unusually dressed and looked very much as if she was sleeping rough. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her hesitate and then turn back in his direction. "Oh aye" he thought, " she's on the scrounge for -  "Any spare change mister ? "

But no. She stopped in front of him and asked. "Can I help you across the road or anything ?"

"Judge not that Ye be judged."

"You can't judge a book by it's cover."

Caption Pic 21st Dec

"Are they rehearsing for a Christmas show?
Knee replacement op.  "Me next" "No me" "What about me ?" 
"Well,  does anyone need the toilet?"
"These walks are always a bit of a pantomime!"
"Which Relic is Eric ?"

Horton in Ribblesdale to Pen-y-Ghent via Helwith Bridge. Walkers Mike H and Danny K

Mike getting kitted up on the car park in Horton.

We had intended to make the ascent of Pen-y-Ghent, but decided on an alternative lower level circular walk via Helwith Bridge due to the amount of snow on the way up.

Crossing over the River Ribble.

The rout took us under the Settle to Carlisle railway line.

Looking back to Pen-y-Ghent

The Helwith Bridge Hotel

Leaving Helwith Bridge we joined the Pennine Way, which was to take us back towards our original objective.

Whilst having our elevenses and taking in the winter scenery of the valley below, Mike spotted someone on their way up, who
joined our path a little way ahead.

The man didn't turn towards us but turned the opposite way, towards Pen-y- Ghent. On checking the map, I found that he had come up on the path that we were to have come up on, on our original planned walk. 

We decided to take another look at the way up Pen-y-Ghent,to see if it was do'able. On reaching the top of the rise, it was still unclear, so we went on and on and on. We spotted another path down, but decided to carry on further. 

On reaching the bottom of the lower rocky escarpment, the wind was gale force, and there was still quite a long way to go. we decided to save it for another day and turned back.

On the way down, looking back, mist was coming down, and the summit was no longer visible, convincing us that we had taken the right decision.

On reaching the valley floor we had a late lunch before returning to the car, at 14. 30. Thanks for a good walk Mike. 8.75 miles
DK