Another version of the photographs

I thought you may all want to look at another version

Not forgotten!

As Lynn said in her "Ulphies News", the 19th of January 2007 was one of the hardest days of my life; There wasn’t anything that I could do or say to ease the pain that I felt. Messages of thoughts and sympathy, from you all (and many others who couldn’t be with us on that day), have reinforced what, in my heart, I already knew.
Betty, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many, was “a lovely lady”; “one in a million”; “thoughtful, caring, kind, loving and generous”; “she will be missed in the community of Hadleigh, by both young and old, and remembered for her hospitality, especially her cooking, and her smiling face”; “family was everything to her and she was very proud of us all and wanted to share that with us at every opportunity”.
Since her sudden death, Lynn, dad and I have found strength and comfort from each other and the wonderful memories of times we have spent together -
She is still beside us, in our hearts and always will be. This Bubblr Strip links together those of us who meant so much to her. This is for you Mum.

Darwen Tower & Sunnyhurst Wood

Below is a link to my bubblr accout of Saturdays walk. Just click on it once to activate; a second time to be taken to the 'actual size' strip.
I think this is an excellent tool for bloggers and has huge potential in teaching and learning. (Sorry I slipped into work mode!)
I'm sure Chris will want to add a few comments but I think the bubblr strip says it all!

Catching up

What a lot has happened since the last blog! J has spent a lot of time with his Dad and they both came home last weekend. I picked Madeline and Ben up from the airport early on Saturday morning and it was hugs and tears all around! They both had different ways of dealing with the inevitable jet-lag but I am not sure who won that one! A trip to Asda and an evening meal at The Pheasant on Saturday evening finished off the day and Dad seemed to enjoy it all. Sunday was clear and bright and we set off for Martin Mere to feed a few ducks.
B & M took quite a few photos (!!) and we all enjoyed the sunshine and ducks. I hope I am adding a photo from each collection to save arguments! We then headed to the Owd Barn for toasted cheese sandwiches and back home to view the photos! We played board games and laughed a lot with a few sad moments in between. Dad and I went to get Grandma’s photo printed out and to buy a frame on Monday and had a quick look round the new stands at Aintree. J had an interview on Tuesday and I went to work so the young ones kept Dad amused at the Ice Cream Parlour in Maghull, I suspect it wasn’t quite what Madeline is used to!! M & B cooked for us on Tuesday evening and J and Dad set off back to Hadleigh on Wed with Ben and Madeline who were dropped off at Mandy’s. I popped into work and went to the gym in the afternoon. Mel and I set off for Peterborough at about 1 pm on Thursday and finally arrived at midnight due to gales and road closures. I think that is all we need to say although I am thinking of writing a novel about our epic journey!! We all headed for Hadleigh on Friday for Mum’s funeral at Ipswich crematorium. It was amazing to see so many people and although a very sad occasion it was good to see so many friends and relations. J stayed on with Dad and the rest of us headed back to Peterborough. Mel, I, Ben and Madeline drove back on Saturday and J arrived just after us from Hadleigh. An early start to the airport on Sunday and having seen the lambkins safely off to the departure lounge, we went for a 4 mile walk around Dunham Massey. It was certainly cold but very pleasant and we saw lots of deer in the park, some of whom were trying to rub off their old antlers.
We waited to see if a set would just fall off nearby but unfortunately they didn’t. Disappointed we headed for the café for sandwiches and hot drinks. Everything seems to be back to normal now and everyone is at work today, I do not have to be in Southport until 10 am so thought I would just catch up before I set out for the day. We still have the internment to come but a chapter in our lives has ended and we all look forward to the next one, what ever that may be. With flights already booked for 9 April, San Francisco should be the next great adventure!!

A very sad Sunday

Last Sunday should have been a really good day, Mandy and Dave were home from Oz, Mandy was 30 and we were off for a walk around the parks of Liverpool. All that changed when we got the phone call from Lynn to say that Mum had died. There is that awful feeling that you just don't know what to do or say and so many things go through your mind in a few seconds. All the lovely times with the children when we lived in Fordham, the fantastic cooking and that very special feeling that I still had a mum even though not by birth. We phoned Mandy and Mel and John and Mel set off to Suffolk with me following in my car. We met Mandy and Dave in Hadleigh and it was good to see so many of the family united in grief. Dad seemed totally shocked and I know that John, Lynn and he have had a hard time of it this week with all of the arrangements to be made. As Lynn said, ‘a lot of tears but a lot of laughter’. I came home on Monday having stopped at Mandy's with Mel and life has resumed with a little bit missing. The joyous news to come out of all this is that Ben and Madeline are coming over tomorrow from the US in time for next Friday's funeral and having just read Ben's blog I am sure there will be a few more tears. Rest in peace Mum wherever you are and thanks for all the joy you brought into our lives. Ben’s photo for you says it all.

Happy New Year!!

A Happy New Year to all our readers. Glad you enjoyed the fireworks Mandy and Dave and that Oz is treating you well! The last few days seem to have been a bit of a lazy blur. I have been suffering with my back/hip since Wednesday and the gym didn't seem to help. I am much better now and we managed a 4 mile walk yesterday from a village in Cheshire, called Bunbury. Part of it was VERY muddy and part along the Shropshire Union Canal which was nice. I am booked in to see Diane on Wed afternoon so I am sure she will sort me out.
We spent a very exciting new year's eve in front of the TV with Mel and bottle of wine and champagne. The fireworks in London looked very good on the TV but doubtless not as good as Sydney! They cancelled the Liverpool celebrations due to very high winds - I have seen worse! Have just been on an abortive trip to see if any shops were open but they were not. J nearly bought a new watch from Colin Beaver (who was there in person!!!) but they didn't have a big enough strap. What a crazy life we lead!! I can't believe where the last 10 days have gone but it is back to work tomorrow and only a few days before the OZ wanderers return - but you probably didn't need reminding of that sorry.

December 27 2006

Have just caught up with the traveling bloggers - fancy having the heating on in S California!! Your photos are all lovely and it is great to see what you are all up to. Jan and Dave came yesterday around noon and we headed off for Crosby to see the Anthony Gormlley figures. Quite a few festive decorations and a very very cold wind on the return walk but good to get out for a blow.
Back home for spicy soup and traditional Boxing Day cold buffet with trifle to follow and good wine. Liverpool were on TV so Mel was excused from the table at 3 pm! We all tried the sloe gin which was very pleasant and well worth the wait; you will have to celebrate the big 30 with some Mandy!! I have suggested going to collect some sloes tomorrow if it is fine ready for next year's bottle. We started playing Balderdash at around 6.30 pm closely followed by Pit and Pictionary and Janet was amazed when it was only 8.30! We gave up at around 10.30 as there was a lot of yawning and after a Bailey's for Jan and whiskey for J and I we went to
bed. We all had a lie in this morning and it was well past 9 am when we got up. J and D left about 11ish and we went to Asda to buy a few essentials! A lazy afternoon and plans for going to the gym tomorrow - how lazy can you get in a week! Take care and keep blogging. Thanks to Greg for his wonderful Christmas letter and for the Christmas card, lots of love xx

Christmas 2006!

Christmas is almost over for another year! Strange to hear tales from around the world of Christmas swims – perhaps we will try it tomorrow if we make Formby! We have had a good day with nice food and drink and some good presents. Thanks Ben and Madeline, I am looking forward to my grown up book, I shall try to read it in the daytime so I don’t fall asleep.
We did a repeat walk yesterday of one we did a couple of years ago on the Wirral, We decided that 12 miles of the Ribble Way was a little ambitious for Christmas eve! We did 10 miles last week and it was very boggy in places and almost dark when we got back. Perhaps we will get an early start next week and go for it. We saw lots of birds yesterday; because it has been so mild lately I think they have missed out winter and are getting into Spring mode. We saw a huge flock of curlews (big birds with long curved beaks!) and quite a few flowers which shouldn’t have been in flower. Hopefully J will provide the pictures. We are both off work now until 2 Jan but poor Mel has to go to work on Wednesday! Not sure what we will do, possibly lots of trips to the gym for me to get rid of the Christmas sloth! (Two toed).I think there is probably a connection Ben between the drink and the hangovers, perhaps you are just getting too old to keep up the pace!! Glad you had a good time with Paddy and Katie; let me know if you think a week in SF would be a good idea in April and if you would have any time to spend with us?? I know you are busy but we can do some self entertaining too – I have the book! As you are going to be there for at least 2 years I am sure we could come again later and possibly do the trip down south? Let us know what you think sometime!
Lots of love to you both and the OZ travellers too – take care if you meet any big kangaroos!! xx

Catching up .....

Last weekend we had Mandy and Dave to visit, which was nice. They arrived uncharacteristically early on Friday evening so had to go to the chippie for tea as we had already eaten! Saturday we went to Southport shopping as Dave had discovered that there was Russell & Bromley shoe shop there. He bought boots and trainers which was a great success but I don’t think anyone else got anything. We went home via Farmer Ted’s for meat and the farm shop for veg and a hot drink and snack, apart from Mandy whose toasted teacake never arrived.
On Sunday M & D did a bit more shopping at Asda and we had lunch around 2 ish – steak and kidney with dumplings followed by baked Alaska which seemed to go down well. Lovely to see them before their great Antipodean adventure (is that the right word??). The rest of the week was pretty much as usual, work, sleep, gym. TV etc. Friday night I parcelled up Mel’s gifts for Ben and Madeline and delivered them to Tickle’s mum who was amused that I called her daughter Tickle rather than Katie. I was equally amused that she only knows Ben as Scouse! We wrote all the Christams cards and I wrapped up books for the great nephews and niece. Yesterday I did some bits of Christmas shopping for people at work (I suffered a serious cardboard cut in M & S which bled profusely!) then in the evening we went to the Packet Steamer with Mel and Lucy and Ian who had come up to watch the football. Mel had got them tickets and we had a very pleasant evening of good food and pleasant conversation. I had my hair cut in the afternoon, I am glad to say that it has nearly recovered from the butchering at Toni & Guy.
As the forecast for today was stormy with strong winds and wall to wall rain we decided not to continue with the Ribble Way and went instead in search of culture. We went to the Walker Art Gallery where there was an animation thing called Insyde http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatsonnet/displayexhibitions.aspx?mode=current&venue=2#InsydeInsyde
which kept us amused for quite a while. We then went and looked at 3 rooms which had been rehung with modern art – pretty rubbish! Then it was off to the Tate to see the Henry Moore sculptures (J got told off for stroking one!) and then to the Paul Caulfield exhibition which was quite nice. http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/ The big canvas of brightly coloured pots on the web site was my favourite. We then went to the Tate café and I had toasted blue cheese with roasted pear and rocket leaves – very tasty. We have just watched the last bit of the semi final of X factor which we missed last night and poor Ben has been sent home!! I think it might be crossword and nap time now as J is watching rugby! Looking forward to tales of Oz and San Fran xx

Ribble Way Part 3

Our adventures seem woefully inadequate having just read Ben’s latest blog all about Thanksgiving. It sounds a lovely idea for the whole family to get together especially at Big Bear in the sunshine. Saturday was the usual – gym for me, some food shopping then both J and I did some work and generally lazed the day away. I am sure rugby featured on somewhere during the afternoon!
Sunday didn’t look too hopeful with lots of black clouds about and very wet from the previous night’s rain but we set off undeterred to Clitheroe (end of walk) and then Ribchester to start the third stage of the Ribble Way. We walked past the badger wood but no sign of them; they must have been tucked up in their set. The river is very wide and with all the recent rain was very high as well. There was a long stretch through fields which were incredibly muddy and J quickly had very wet feet. He had new waterproof trousers which kept the outside nice and dry but didn’t breathe so got a bit damp inside!! The wooded stage was even slipperier with all the mud and leaves and it was quite a relief to get on to a hard surface for the final part of the walk. About 2 miles from the end we found a nice little tea shop where we had sandwiches and fresh orange juice which managed to revive us for the final stretch. They had a book called ‘Tea shop walks in Lancashire’ so I shall be ordering that!! We saw Stoneyhurst College in the distance which is where Tolkien’s son studied. The area around there is supposed to be the setting for Middle Earth in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. We didn’t see any Hobbits but then it was very wet underfoot and it wouldn’t have done their fur any good. By the end of the day it was lovely and sunny and we got home around 4 pm just in time to cook a roast and chill out. Do you remember doing a walk near Stoneyhurst one Christmas Mandy? It was equally wet that day!!
I am hoping that my car will be back either tomorrow or Wednesday but I must admit I am very pleased with the Polo, perhaps they would like to do a swap. Mel and I are going to the Lowry tomorrow night to see Arnold Bennet’s The History Boys. We went to see the film of it a few weeks ago but then someone at work mentioned that it was on in Manchester so I managed to get 2 tickets – not necessarily together but not far apart! I hope I don’t get stuck on the M62!!
I have just come back from the gym so thought I had better catch up before I forget what we did!! Love to you all xxx

The alternative version!

My poor new car received a bump to the side last Wednesday! I was not in the car and a new driver was reversing out of a drive opposite and didn’t have quite enough room. I thought it would be easy to solve but the garage I took it to just for a look thought it would have to have a whole new side panel welded on!! I have therefore left it to the insurers to sort out and they are coming to collect it tomorrow. I picked up a nice silver Polo tonight to use until mine is returned home. Very annoying when it was so new but at least the girl involved waited to tell me that she had run into me which I thought was very honest of her.
The Ribble Way is going well if somewhat muddy especially when you have slippery shoes (not me!) but we have been really lucky with the weather and it is very exciting seeing deer (spotted by Tracker John) with the unlikely prospect of badgers next time. I have now got a gym programme which only lasts an hour rather than 1.5 hours but as a result everything is now up a level so it is hard work but better. Mel and I went to see the Taming of the Shrew at the Playhouse last night which was really good and very funny. J declined the invitation and is currently watching Liverpool playing football at the mo with Mel. (Mel isn’t playing football). Mel and I went to see Borat last Saturday which was probably one of the worst films I have ever seen but I am sure Ben would find it hilarious.
I hope the wok chef soaked and precooked the black beans- it is easier to buy a tin!! Chinese 5 spice is readily available from the spice rack section of all major supermarkets. They had it in Asda in Skem!! We have just had the third lot of savoury rice which J made on Monday but turned out rather more than he expected, hence why we are still eating it!
Keep up the good blogs, it is lovely to have them to read. Take care and love to you all.

Preston to Ribchester

I'm sure Ben will like the 3B village I've produced to show my 'Ribble Way' Photographs to date. 3B is an 'alternative' Browser that combines a '3D walk through' with web links; at work I've produced a 3B Village of Websites I use day-2-day. There are a number of different types of 'village' for the photographs I've chosen 'Art Gallery'

To view my 3B village, please download the 3B browser. Then click on the picture to open Weekend Walks 01 Ribble Way village.

The walk on Sunday was blessed by good weather again but for most of the walk the fields in particular were boggy! We did however see two deer along with a wide range of flora and fauna.
The vase-shaped fungi was of particular interest! Seen high above the Ribble in woodland; the climb up was a struggle as the bank was very slippery. Your mother managed to stop me slipping back down to the bottom... What a star! As you can see, the birds wont go without this winter! Plenty of berries in the hedgerows.
I'll update the Live.local map of the Ribble way walk when I get a few mins; watch this space... I think Chris was upset that the cafe, that we visited last time we were in Ribchester, was closed; the alternative visit to the pub (a local pub for local people) was not good! We ended up buying sandwiches from a shop and eating them while watching 'boy's football'; The traffic Warden arrived... Many of the dad's had to get parking tickets very quickly! Looking forward to the next section; Chris quite excited as we pass the wood where we went to 'see the badgers'!

Ribble Way

Sorry Mandy/Dave, the choice was the
Ribble Way! Mainly because we didn't have instructions for the Bronte Way. (We have now). We set off from the Dolphin out towards the marshland beside the river; Signs told us not to feed the donkeys in the next field and to keep out of another field as there way clay pidgeon shooting in progress (It's worrying if they couldn't they tell the difference between a clay pidgeon and us!)
Your mum was wrapped up against what was a very cold wind. The path was well walked and clearly signposted. Along the river there was a huge range of different water fowl and other birds including geese, cormorants, various breeds of duck, oyster catchers etc. Pity we didn't have the binoculars with us.

The cold onshore winds had hastened autumn and many of the more exposed trees had lost all their leaves; however in sheltered parts the warm October/November had brought the gorse into flower (what a contrast!)Ben, I'll say sorry now but, I couldn't resist the temptation of taking this photograph...
I know it was one you always planned to take but the opportunity was there and I couldn't resist.
Once we were past the entrance to Preston Docks, the walk became much more interesting and the autumnal (fall for those who still have to learn English) colours added to the beauty of the scenery see the photographs on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/acljohn/?saved=1
Ive also plotted the map, as usual, on Live.Local and the link is http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=A379F4C664F7684F!638.
Pushpins 1 to 24.

We stopped on the way back from the walk at one of our 'eating houses' the Owd Barn. Chris had Thick Onion Soup and I had a cheese & Onion Toasted sandwich; Date and walnut cake to take away. Your mum was impressed that the cake was cheaper to take away so it will be take-away from now on. Look after the pennies...

Wycoller Walk

The question on Sunday was "where do we go now the Lancashire Trail is completed?"

The answer was located on the internet and it was
Wycoller! On the Bronte Trail (that is a possible walk; Chris is keen!) Wycoller is a very attractive Lancashire Village. The, now ruined, hall was possibly the inspiration for one of the buildings mentioned in Jane Eyre (Chris may get round to telling you about it in more detail) A visit to the information centre in the converted barn provided us with maps for three walks; the walk we did can be found at: -
http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=A379F4C664F7684F!595
Images can be found by pausing over push-pins or at...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acljohn/sets/72157594231686898/
We now have to decide if we are going to do the Lancashire Coastal path, the Ribble Walk (mouth to source) or the Bronte Trail. Watch this space...

Maps and Pictures

70 and one quarter miles over 9weeks; From St Helens on Merseyside to Thornton-in Craven on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border. Nine walking days (Sundays including one Saturday I think) with stunning views over Lancashire and the Cheshire Plain ending with a gradual climb to Pendle Hill with unsurpassed scenery all round. Meandering streams, leafy lanes, hidden pastures, reservoirs, canal towpaths and woodlands. The view can be changed by clicking on Road or Aerial as shown. You can zoom in and out of maps by using the toolbar or, I prefer, using the scroll wheel on your mouse (assuming you have one). You can also move around the map by clicking and dragging.
http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=A379F4C664F7684F!578 provides you with a link to the overview of the Lancashire Trail; didn't we walk a long way!
Hovering over 'pushpins' provide images (if I've added them) and More details; This will open other maps with step-by-step directions. Photographs taken on the Trail are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/acljohn/sets/72157594231686898/
Other links to maps: if you want to look at them individually, are...
http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=A379F4C664F7684F!108
http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=A379F4C664F7684F!310 and
http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=A379F4C664F7684F!517
Watch this space for the next walk...

A rabbity and squirrely day!

Sunday was beautiful! The sun shone (too much at times for J), the rabbits played the squirrels jumped and climbed, the river gurgled and all was right with the world. Our final leg of the Lancashire Trail was completed from Barley to Thornton in Craven through some truly amazing and peaceful countryside with autumn colours all around and the smell of damp leaves underfoot. It really hasn’t been like October weather-wise which just proves that you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet Ben!! Having said that it is raining and very windy today so perhaps this is the real autumn. We went to the Theatre last night to see ‘The way home’, a social comment type play about a family of gypsies who lived down the road from a typical Scouse family (if there is such a thing). There was lots of swearing and some poignant moments which made you question who was the most dysfunctional! Tonight it’s the Playhouse and a play called ‘The man with two gaffers’; no idea what it is about but hopefully it will be good!
Glad you had the chance to play cricket Ben but don’t ever admit to being good at anything more dangerous such as shark fishing! Hope you have got over your worries about the homeless – unfortunately part of modern life.
We are having a visit from a man from the DfES today and I have the honour!! of entertaining him for an hour and a half so I shall be showing him the sights of Bootle in my new car – lucky man. This is an early morning blog as I don’t need to be at a school until 8.45 am and it is not worth going into the office first. The clocks changed at the weekend so I was awake at 5.45. Love to all our lambkins and keep up the good blogs, those who bother!!

Catching up

There I have been thinking that J was doing a blog on the Lancashire Trail when all he has done is the map!! I must admit it’s a pretty impressive map and makes us realise just how far we have walked. Last week we did from Mellor to Whalley and saw a dead cow lying on its back with its feet in the air and an impressive sheep skull complete with horns – if only you had been there Ben I am sure you would have brought it home! The highlight was a beautiful speckled little owl who was sitting on a post until it saw me. There have been some beautiful stretches of countryside; I really think autumn is my favourite season. I went with J to pick up his car after a service on Friday and ended up buying a new car! A Nissan Micra so just a small step up from the old Matiz! It is 12 months old with 9,000 on the clock and I managed to get £1,500 for mine so I thought that was pretty good. I am picking it up on Tuesday.
We walked from Whalley (pronounced Warley apparently) to Barley today via the top of Pendle!! I hope Ben remembers our last trip up to the top when he was at primary school! You carried a stone from the top and painted sheep on it! We walked up the long haul of the escarpment and walked down the steep steps (we walked up them last time) to the bottom where we found some lovely toasted cheese sandwiches! Not much wildlife about – just a heron, a flock of goldfinches, a jay and a suspected capercaillie (J recognised it’s call!!).
Home again to find a disappointed Mel who had been watching Liverpool losing 2-0 to Man United!
We have a busy week ahead with the theatre on Tuesday (Orestes, a Greek tragedy), and Thursday (The play what I wrote – a comedy about Morecombe and Wise) and then J and I are off to see Kathryn Williams (folky type singer) on Friday. Only time for Pilates on Monday this week then! Mel and I went to the cinema to see The History Boys last night – it’s by Alan Bennet and I had really been looking forward to it and wasn’t disappointed.
Not quite as exciting as scuba diving or partying on the beach in San Fran but it keeps us out of trouble!! Keep up the good blogging Ben and Madeline and hang your heads in shame Mandy and Dave!!
Love to you all. xxx

October already!!

Another week, another month. Good to hear the moving saga and tales form Abu Dhabi. I went to the gym on Saturday morning then did a bit of shopping including a trip to Bootle to pick up a T shirt that Mel had ordered from M & S. Mel and I went ot see 'Queen', the film, in the afternoon which was good but sad - all about Diana's death which I hadn't realised. Alan Bennet's 'The History Boys' starts next week which will be a must to see. Mel and J watched the England match (oh dear) whilst I read the paper then did the ironing before a splendid prawn curry. Sunday was a lovely autumnal day and we set off in search of the next 8 mile leg of the Lancs Trail which J will no doubt detail at a later time. We got muddled due to lack of path and adequate directions but a lovely stretch - beech woods again. 1 squirrel, 1 rabbit and a compulsory heron. The Clog and Biilycock Inn was extremely welcome at lunch time as we both had achey legs. If any one knows what a Billycock is I would like to know!!("it is a felt hat with a low, rounded crown, similar to a derby..." added by John) J had pate and toast and I had home made thick onion soup with cheese on toast floating on the top - delicious! Much fortified we finished the last couple of miles returning to pick up my car and home by 4 pm. A couple of lazy hours before roast chicken and a couple more lazy hours!! I have just been to pilates and had a tasty rib eye steak, J finished off the curry! Time for a Sudoku and crossword then another day gone. Am I wishing my life away?? Hope you are not missing autumn too much Ben, it really has been lovely recently although we did put the heating on at the end of last week as it was getting rather chilly! I am sure the sun makes up for it!

Grandma's Birthday...

If Grandma thought she was on the internet then she would be lost for words for the second day running! Lynn and Joan had planned a family party for mum and, in spite of some close shaves, managed to keep it from her!
We had planned to stay at Mandy's on Friday night but unfortunately she was away visiting friends. So Chris, Melanie and I stayed at Mike and Christines. It was a long drive with long delays as we left the M6 to join the A14.
It was nice to catch up with Mike (who paid a fleeting visit) who was busy with University meetings etc., Christine (who has purchased a new Cycle helmet, among other things) and David (who popped in on his way home from work) Good food, Good wine and good company. Slept well and after breakfast (Michael back to work; on a Saturday!) we said our farewells and set off for Hadleigh.
I was using the SatNav; Melanie was impressed but Chris found the instructions misleading.
To say Grandma was surprised to see us, was an understatement. She had had a good day yesterday (her birthday was 29th) and was full of the fact that Ben had telephoned her from USA to wish her happy Birthday.
Needless to say she insisted on cooking dinner for us (we offered to go to the chippy)!
After dinner we looked at the 'memory book' Lynn had made for her birthday and looked at birthday cards etc. A walk up the garden, to pick apples (eating) and Chris found a number of walnuts (these ended up in the bag as well). The garden spiders are everywhere...
Grandma had told us that Joan and Phil were coming to visit her tomorrow so you can imagine the 'shock' when Joan, Phil, Amy, Lucy and her friend, Amy's David and Luke together with David's parents, turned up just before 2:00 pm. Mother anounced that now Joan was there Lynn would visit as well! Little did she know...
In among all this Luke had spotted a baby grass snake going across the lawn...
Ron and Gladys arrived at 2:00, followed by Lynn and Pete. Mother was getting more and more bemused. Then when Robert, Susan and Helen arrived she was obviously so pleased but at the same time bemused. How had we all kept it from her? Who had known about it? Did dad know? etc. Joan and Lynn had provided food so mother had to just sit and enjoy the family gathering. Lucy's Ian arrived later, after watching his beloved Liverpool lose to Bolton (Melanie wasn't impressed either)
Part way through the afternoon a group photograph was taken. I've put a full sized version (with labels for Ben) on the family Wiki. It was a very enjoyable 'Grandma day'! Sadly, at 5:30ish, we had to make our way back to Liverpool. So after fond farewells we left them all to "party on!"
The Journey back was OK. Brief stop for a leg stretch at Stafford Services and back by 10:00 pm.
Grandma has phoned this morning and was full of yesterday. She is looking forward to Mandy and Dave visiting next weekend.
We've been to the Farmer's Market, to M & S (Warrington) to purchase uniform for Mel and the usual Sunday jobs. No walk this weekend but I've mannaged to catch up with the Blogs. Cumbria tomorrow and Rochdale Tuesday...
No rest for the wicked...
Happy Birthday Mum!

Lancashire Trail Part 5

23rd September 2006. Link to first map. Part 5, from Pushpin 185 to Pushpin 201 and Link to second map; from Pushpin 1 to Pushpin 25. Again a late publishing! I still don’t seem to find the time to keep both the map of our walk and the text up to date.
This part of the Lancashire Trail took us from Rivington to Abbey Village. Descending from Lower Barn back onto the footpath along Rivington Reservoir we turned right and walked to Horrobin Lane, the road that crosses the Reservoir.
Turning left, and crossing the road, we then turned right along a road with the reservoir on our left. Further along this lane we bear left along a stony track which ascends along the left side of the Yarrow Reservoir. Halfway up this path forks and we bear left to descend a winding path to a road and bridge beside Anglezarke Reservoir. Here we turned right and walked along the pavement to a road junction.
Butterflies basked in the sun on the reservoir walls. At the junction we kept to the left and left the main road after a short distance (car park entrance) to continue ahead with Anglezarke Reservoir on our left.
After about a half a mile, we ascended an embankment passing High Bullough Reservoir on our right.
Follow the path down to a kissing gate and continue on a track to a stile on the other side of woodland. This leads to a field which you cross on a clear narrow path with Anglezarke Reservoir on the left. Don’t be tempted to follow the footpath sign off to the right.
Cross a stile onto a bracken lined path, through trees, this in turn leads to another stile and a road.
Proceed diagonally left across the road through a kissing gate and follow the track to White Coppice with its cricket field and small reservoirs.
With these on your left continue ahead on a clear path, which veers right as it climbs steeply up the hillside from White Coppice.
At a fork in the path turn right, still ascending a steep, rutted path, heading towards Great Hill.
Continue on a narrow, but clear, path passing several ruined farmsteads and a coppice to eventually arrive on Great Hill (1200 ft); here, at the summit, there is a 4-way wind shelter. Follow the sign towards Darwin Tower, which can be seen in the distance. Look out for, and follow, a less clear path on the left, as you near the bottom of the valley. This leads you through another ruined farmstead; follow the path down hill, with the stream first on the left then on the right. The path turns into a stony track that continues to follow the stream to a small bridge on the A675. Cross the road turning left, taking a public footpath, turning right, into the woods.
Cross a small stream and turn sharp left to follow the lower of two tracks alongside the stream. The path climbs to the right onto a stony track that continues to follow the stream to a bridge.
Cross the bridge, turning right through a kissing gate and proceed with the stream on your right. After steps (up and down) take a track to the left away from the stream; this passes through a wood to a road from the dam of the reservoir on the right.
Follow this road and where it turns left continue along a path ahead to another reservoir. Follow the path, with the reservoir on your right, to a footbridge. Cross the bridge and turn left along a track. Cross another footbridge over the spillway, from the reservoir. Just before the house turn right up a narrow path onto the service road. Turn right and follow the road to the Hare & Hounds at Abbey Village.
Another nine mils completed! The two pints was well received and finished off what was a very nice walk indeed.