This was a revisit of our New Year’s Day Walk, by way of a morning outing for any LDWA Plodders or others who cared to come along.
Lots of apologies were received, but I was pleased to find Alan R parked outside Lyn’s house in Grove Crescent. (Thanks, Lyn, for the loan of your driveway.)
We wandered down to the excellent café at White Bear Marina and were surprised to find Paul and Julie waiting there. After enjoying a cuppa with us, Paul wandered off to mend a commode (don’t ask!) and Julie joined us on the circular walk.
It was raining as we headed along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath, but nothing like the deluge we’d driven through to reach Adlington.
As we left the canal to find our way around the extensive engineering works connected with the railway electrification, the rain eased, though the path to Slack’s Farm incorporated some slurry dunks for the unwary (me).
By the time we’d crossed and re-crossed the M61 motorway to reach the remains of the old driveway to Anderton Hall, it was time for a drink and some of Sue’s shortbread.
A pleasant walk alongside the River Douglas brought us out at Adlington’s lower road, opposite the sadly defunct Waggon and Horses pub.
Luckily, just up the road, The Spinners is still going strong.
Then it was back to the canal to complete the circle and return to Lyn’s house.
For more details of the walk, my previous account contains much more information. The 11 km route is shown below. Allowing 2-3 hours, it’s a very pleasant and well signposted ramble.
It’s a long time since I’d seen Paul (aka ‘Angus’). He’s gone slightly grey (maybe we all have!) since this picture taken in Chatham Grove, Withington, in 1972. But Julie hasn’t changed at all, and nor have Anna (pictured left – she and Dale joined us on our Shap to Richmond walk last September) or Jacqui (pictured centre – she joined us in the Dolomites last July).
The more observant may notice that Paul’s attraction to commodes was already in its infancy in 1972!
Alan R’s take on this short stroll – entertaining as ever – is here.
6 comments:
Thanks for the walk Martin it was very enjoyable. And also thanks to Lyn for the use of her driveway.
I would like to have seen more of that lovely little mini. The walk looks quite nice too ;-)
You're rockin' the check shirt and pumps look dad. Good work!
Thanks Alan, it was a pleasurable morning despite traffic on the way home.
Louise, I had that old Mini for about five years. It holds many memories. You may see more.
Mike, the pumps were 'de rigeur' and my trademark wool shirts were made by your grandma.
Thanks also to Anna for her lovely email message.
I didn't join the queue Martin but I thought about you. I got off at the East Lancs exit. What I did notice was the sign that said disruption until 2017!!!!!My God, You could build a new motorway in that time.
The queue wasn't too bad - about the same as the extra time it would have taken to go through Salford. The problem wasn't the road works, which simply restrict you to 50 mph, but half term holidays and the hordes trying to get to the Trafford Centre.
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