RODDLESWORTH

WET WOOD WANDER  4+ Miles 

WANDERERS :-   John W, Danny,  Vic, John R, Anthony.

A good start to the day as we received our copies of this years or rather NEXT years (2023) Meanderthal Calendar. Thank you Anthony the editor. 

Then off we went to park at Ryal Fold. The last time we parked here we set off to climb up to Darwen's Jubilee Tower. This time we crossed the road and went in the opposite direction towards the reservoirs.

There's the sign for  the footpath across the road from the Pub. 

The path dropped steeply down through the wood with enticing side paths at frequent intervals.

At this point your forgetful photographer (He's getting worse !) has to admit that having left his cameras at home he had accepted Danny's offer of using his. Thanks Danny. (Every walking group should have a "Danny")

To our left, through the trees we could now see the first of the two Roddlesworth Reservoirs.

John R, a keen swimmer, declared that although the water looked most inviting (Little Fibber ! ) he had, unfortunately, not brought his trunks

Here we have Vic, Anthony, John W........ and an escapee from .....Munch's "The Scream "

I do believe we have seen John R eating bananas before (see previous blogs).

 

We stopped for coffees/teas on the embankment between the two reservoirs.

Fully refreshed we continue across the embankment.

Danny, ever the democrat showed us the map and asked us which direction we would like to take next. I am sure Danny, being super fit, is disappointed when we lumbering oafs choose the shorter of the routes he offers.😕

Which way do you prefer lads ?  LEFT !

So........ over the bridge and along the other side of the reservoir.

This actually proved to be a good choice as it took us along a very well constructed and maintained footpath.

As I was about to take this photograph Danny pointed out that a different angle would bring the autumn colours into the background. Advice readily accepted.  Merci Monsieur Monet !

We had no rain as we walked but the woods had a decidedly damp feel.

Those stones haven't done much rolling recently.

The path continued to pass intriguing diversions.

Just over the brow and through that gate there is a ....................... ?

But we stuck to the main path. Passing the only building on our route.

This was a lodge belonging to a fishing club.

Shortly afterwards we left the main path and dropped down towards the stream to have our lunch.

Oh dear. Are you sitting comfortably Vic  ?   NO !!  Bit of an awkward tumble but fortunately no serious damage.

The steps were rather steep and flags had been placed to make them easier but slippery dead leaves and loose shingle at the edges were still a hazard.

It was lunch time and suddenly, "Alice and Wonderland" like we stepped into a weird and unreal world

 The photographs appear to say that we were alone in the woods, Not so. We frequently passed and greeted other walkers.  A group of such walkers passed by as we sat eating. They were fascinated and amused by our now ubiquitous stools.

Stuck in this outlandish world of distorted colour. Once again Danny came to the rescue. John W,  using an unfamiliar camera, had inadvertently switched to a different "Mode". Danny soon sorted it out.

"MEANDAFALL"

Soon after we returned to the "Real" world we also re-joined the main footpath.

Climbing up away from the stream we came across an unusual memorial plaque.

Strange growths were not quite such a visual delight but still quite fascinating. Here the all-pervasive moss is growing up the young seedling trees.

The autumnal colours continued to delight us.

Almost back at the cars now.  just a steady climb away from the valley and the reservoirs. Your somewhat unfit writer, for one, found this quite a challenge.

A final breather at the top of this short flight of steps. Then a couple of hundred yards took us up to the car park and a welcome brew in the "Ramblers Cafe"

THE END

JW

RAIN STOPPED PLAY !    2.5 miles (What ???)

DRIPS :- John W,  Anthony,  Vic,  Danny.  + Martin.

After last week's weather dictated cancellation,  four of us set out with high hopes  (Well... moderate hopes) of a better day. 

So let's log on to our seaside outing. 

We parked the car on the roadside close to the eastern entrance to  Fairhaven Lake and Park and began to follow the newly constructed promenade.

The tide was in and the shallow seas of the Ribble Estuary were grey and choppy.  A more than "Fresh " breeze was blowing.

The "fresh" breeze seemed to get Fresher as we continued along the edge of the estuary.   

Then we saw something in the sea ! Was this person walking on water ?

Must get a photo thought Danny.

There's something above him.   Aha... It's a parasurfer (is that what they are called ?) And he/she certainly knew how to do it with heartstopping flights high above the waves.

The perceptive reader will have noticed that in most the last few photos the sea's horizon is sloping. Don't worry, a good slope is just what surfers need.

The rather splendid, stepped promenade ended and we now began to follow the sandy trail through the dunes. However, before we entered the dunes, we stopped briefly to chat to a group of volunteers who were preparing to plant Marram Grass which helps to stabilise the blowing sand.  

I say we stopped briefly but Vic, being an inveterate "Nosey Parker " lingered so long we "Lost" him.

The Dunes were not entirely deserted and we met other brave walkers (mainly dog walkers) at intervals along the paths.

Layers of waterproofs made John think he really ought to go on a diet!

We had a short stop sheltering in the dunes to have our coffee break during which a rather flustered Vic caught up with us.  " I thought you'd abandoned me "  he said rather plaintively. "Well. No! We, we stopped frequently to wait but, in the end, decided that as you would know our lunchtime destination (in the planning emails sent out) we would all meet up eventually."

Danny looks very bright and cheerful as we stand up and set off again after our coffee break. But could he be the smiling assassin as he warns us that the day will not end well. As the character in Dad's army declares "We're Aaal doomed. Doomed I tell ya."

The temptation to abandon the dunes was resisted and we cut across to the rather "Damp " water side path. Ahead of us the dunes ended and the promenade began again.

The seaside huts, a delight in a sunny summer, looked rather uninviting as we battled through the strong wind and damp, threatening air.

As we neared the Pier, we came to the Lifeboat Station where a very welcoming volunteer offered to show us round.

Not a lifeboat but this tractor is still a vital part of the equipment with the Cox spending time keeping it in pristine condition

The boat itself was a very impressive "Beast" with an equally impressive "Tractor " to pull it into the water.

THE BOAT!

THE TRACTOR!

The Meanderthals coming down from the viewing platform.

Next stop the Pier and the garden with Les Dawson's statue.

Throughout the day our friendly "Doomsayer" had been forecasting "Catastrophic" (one of his favourite words) rainfall starting about 12 noon. Here he is at Midday doing a little dance of triumph as the rain starts.

"What did I tell ya ?"    OK !   OK !.  But first, Lunchtime.  To be taken in the shelter.

We didn't start our lunches immediately as we had arranged to meet Martin here to "Dine" together. Then, Lo and behold. Bang on time. Martin came into view round the corner.

The shelters on either side of the "Les Dawson" garden provide excellent shelter from which ever direction the weather is coming.

As we ate John (I think a comma is needed as eating John would be a big mistake. Not a very appetising idea.)  threw a crumb of bread to a cheeky starling. Starlings have been put on the "Endangered species" list. You wouldn't have thought so round here. Within seconds, dozens appeared.

They entertained us with their ability to catch small pieces of bread in mid flight.

We couldn't of course leave the area without giving our regards to Mr. Dawson.

So who's the comedian round here?

I should point out at this point that "Danny Doomsayer" is no such thing. He is, in fact, one of the most positive and cheerful members of the group.

As we put things back in our rucksacks and picked up our sticks (poles) evidence of a worsening of the weather was clear to see.

We left the shelter and turned back towards Lytham. The wind was battering against us and heavy rain was lashing into our faces. Barely a hundred yards into our return journey. with water cascading down our waterproofs (we were dry inside them) the decision was taken to abandon our walk. 

Fortunately, Martin was still with us and agreed to take John back to his car when he could return to the shelter to pick up the others.

And so, we drove home with a short diversion to the lifeboat station to retrieve Vic's pole from where he had left it. Forgetting one's stick is usually John's prerogative. 

THE (abrupt) END

JW

p.s. at the lifeboat station we picked up a device to help locate persons who could get  "Lost". Might come in handy on future walks.