CHORLEY

A STROLL IN THE PARK  (Not very far)

Strollers :- Anthony, Vic, Martin, John W, Danny.

A rather grey, dismal morning saw a small group of Meanderthals pulling into the car park of Astley Park in Chorley.

Today's leader had planned to spend a little time exploring the area around the house before setting of on our "Stroll". (Walled Garden, Sensory Garden, Ancient Burial Mound etc.) Unfortunately most of the parks attractions were Virus Victims and were closed. 

The rather poignant memorial garden was available so we had a quiet look around that.

Then off we went pausing briefly to put on our waterproofs  (the fine drizzle was getting a little less fine) and admire the colourful well kept flower beds in the park..

There is a small but fascinating museum in the building behind Danny but it was one of the buildings not available at present.

The path took us down a short flight of steps and alongside the neat and well maintained public bowling greens.

Danny went the wrong way...........     "No I didn't I was taking photos !"

A cheeky Carrion Crow strutted across the lawns watching us with a beady eye.

From here the path dropped quite steeply into the wooded area (Great Wood) and a bridge took us over the famous (Eh ?) River Chor. Some debate took place as to the correct pronunciation of this name. The Locals pronounce Chorley as "Charlie" so perhaps it was the famous "River CHAR" ?

This river was obviously Covid aware as even it's stones were"  Socially Distanced "

We carried on through the wood. It was quite busy with dog walkers and others passing by, with caution but invariable offering a friendly greeting

The woodland on either side of the path held some quite magnificent old trees as well as some fallen heroes. Throughout the wood there were birdboxes to be seen

It wasn't long before we came to a "Cross roads". we took the path to the right and crossed a solid well built bridge over the river and into a narrow arm of the wood which would take us back to Chancery Road.

The continuous rain of the last few day had left the paths very muddy but still easily travelled.

The path now ran along the edge of a housing estate with the wooded valley on the other side. A clearing in the wood with several fallen tree trunks invited us to linger awhile and have a coffee break. We accepted the invitation.

Coffee (and comfort) breaks accomplished we continued along the path eventually arriving at a service road to the housing estate. A right turn took us quickly to the side road leading to Astley village and then to the Chorley by-pass road but not before gifting us the pleasure of a display of delightful wild flowers in full bloom.

For the next twenty minutes or so we were on the footpath along side the busy road which took us past the "Fire Service Training Centre", TESCOS, and back down to the lower entrance to Astley Park.

The entrance to the park is "guarded" by a rather curious building, Very realistic "Mock Tudor" in style but far too small to be a real house and too large to be a "Wendy" house -  unless Wendy has grown since I was a lad.

John W decided it would be a suitable residence for an overgrown Garden Gnome so here he is at the Magic Well making a wish.........  He is still with us,  Ah well....... !  

Onwards and upwards. The road (or track) climbed gently upwards back towards the Hall and the cafe but we were not destined to approach from that direction.
Just at the point were we had turned right coming down was another track which turned right going up. That was our path......

Not far along this path our attention was drawn to another bridge which was some way off the path. Being Meanderthals we couldn't miss the chance of a "Bridge " photo.

Descending to this bridge we met a group of ladies  who, were not quite sure of the correct way through the wood.  When we told them that we too were unsure of our way they told us exactly which way we should go and them quickly left saying. "We might be wrong so we're getting well away from you " They then scuttled off with much laughing and giggling.

A short about turn up the way we had come and once more on our way.

The path through the woods, indeed the whole of the park, was well maintained and a credit to Chorley Council. We continued to meet all manner of walkers. Many with dogs and also with children. All on leads and well trained naturally

Another irresistible bridge

I did say we met many people happy to chat (from a distance) particularly if they had a dog. Then they always had a doggy tale to tell..... all very friendly  BUT..........

..... does the Mrs.  know about this Danny ?

Very soon after we emerged from the woods into the open parkland. At this point John W expected the "Town" gates into the park to be on our right. They WERE on our right but his memories of this part of the park did not match reality. "Old Beardie" was rather confused about all this 😟.

The park was really busy and although we were no longer sheltered from the drizzle we looked for a lunch spot......... and found one !

Vic seemed to be taking social distancing rather seriously

Nearing the end of our short walk now but under a tree a little way from the track was a young lady with an inordinate amount of food. When asked she explained that it was her daughters birthday and that she had brought all her pals to the park to play games and have a picnic.  Wonderful !

We continued our walk and also continued to marvel at the way the park was so beautifully maintained.

The Tudor Mansion, Astley Hall,  is only open to visitors at weekends and not at all at the moment.

And so to journeys end and the car park. Here treats awaited us. It was Anthony's birthday today and the custom is that the Birthday Boy  provides cake to finish the day and celebrate.

and that wasn't all. Martin, has for years provided ice cold drinks to refresh one and all at the end of each walk so the cake was washed down with "Lashings" of Ginger Beer.

The Meanderthals are exceedingly grateful for this libation especially on hot summer days. To show their gratitude Martin was presented with a pewter Tankard with the following words upon it.....

MARTIN

For refreshing All

Cheers and Thanks

THE MEANDERTHALS

THE END

p.s The walk was only 3 miles but don't tell anybody...sshhhhh !

Fulwood. Tanterton. Cottam. 5.5 miles Walkers, Anthony Vic Martin Paddy and Danny

This weeks walk began from Wychnor in Fulwood, under an overcast sky.

At the end of Wychnor we turned right onto the appropriately named Walker Lane. 

Immediately after the last house on Walker Lane, a path on our left led into open countryside.

Continuing straight ahead the path led into a small wood with a broad concrete path. The purpose of this broad path was a mystery
as leading into and out of the wood are only grass paths.

This is the path out of the wood, which we followed until it intersected with a hard gritty path, at which juncture we went left and continued until we reached a metal gate on our right. Going through the gate we turned right following the path that skirted a building site on it's left.

At the end of the path we turned left then sharp right to arrive at Tanterton Hall Road. Crossing over the road just to the right, a path led us along the edge of common grassland which in turn led to open parkland on the right. Keeping to the path we came to a
metal barrier for keeping bikes out. Negotiating our way round the barrier we entered Pool House Lane. At the end of the lane we turned left onto Tag Lane, then after about 200 yds turned right onto Cottam Hall Lane, which took us to the underpass below
Tom Benson Way.

Rising up at the other side of the underpass brought us into Cottam. Keeping straight ahead the path comes to an end at a gate.
Going through the gate, another gate about 40 yds further on. on the left leads onto the Guild Wheel cycle route.

Keeping to the Guild Wheel, a short walk brought us to an open area with seats, where we could social distance while we had our morning brew.

Continuing along the Guild Wheel we arrived at a junction of paths where either of two paths leading left can be taken to come out on Cottom Way. Crossing the road, turning left then right we
carried on following the Guild Wheel. On reaching the bridge over the Lancaster Canal with the U.C.L.A.N Sports Arena on our right
we carried straight on. After a short distance the Guild Wheel turns off to the right, but we continued straight ahead along a dirt track which went downhill into a wooded area.

Coming up out of the wood after a little way a path off to the left
led under Tom Benson Way and onto the canal tow path, where we turned right.

The first bridge we come to is Cottam Hall Lane where we leave the canal and turn right, following the lane until we arrived at the
gates leading into Haslam Park.

Entering the park we headed for the lake where we had lunch. What looks like crazy paving in the foreground, is in fact algae on the lake. After lunch we walked to the west end of the lake and crossed a bridge over the outlet stream from the lake. Following the path alongside the stream, after passing some allotments to our right, a branch path off to the right was followed which took us to another bridge over the canal.

Crossing over the bridge we turned right onto Bexhill Road then second left down Hillcrest Avenue. At the end of the avenue we crossed over Tag Lane and down Oaktree Avenue. We took a left along Mayfield Avenue then after about 50 yds turned right through a cycle barrier and along a path between the houses. At the end of the path we took a dog leg to the right then straight ahead down Lower Greenfield, at the end of which is a path straight ahead between the houses.

Along the path, down some flagged steps, through a gate.....

.....over a bridge and we are once again in woodland. Keeping to the main path we climbed a flight of wooden edged steps. Still keeping to the main path we followed it up out of the wood into daylight but not for long, we soon re-entered woodland. Before very far the path turned uphill where we had a choice of steps or a bit further on a slope led in the same direction. At the top of the slope was a gate leading onto Walker Lane.  

We turned left following the perimeter fence of Greyfriars estate. The road wound it's way up hill before dropping down steeply into a valley where stood a white house, proudly advertising it's construction date in bold numbers of 1842, to anyone who happens to pass by. To the rght of the house was Sharoe Brook. To the right of the brook was a footpath leading yet again into more woodland.

We followed the footpath skirting the brook as it passed through the wood. Spotting some felled trees, providing seating we felt another brew stop coming on. just to recharge our batteries you understand ready for the last leg, as one or two were on their last legs. Batteries charged we continued following the brook until we came to the first bridge crossing it. Here we left the main path crossed the bridge then climbing the path leading up out of the valley we emerged into Manor Court, at the end of which it tee'd
into Wichnor, where we turned left and were soon back at the cars.
DK