| Walk: | Bonds Lane, White Crosses, Gt Eccleston, River Wyre, Cross House, Hollyovenbeck House, Lane Heads, Watery Gate and Lodge Lane. | ||
| Start Point: | Bond's Cafe, Bonds Lane, Eslwick | Grid Reference: | SD 422 385 |
| Distance: | 5.9 miles | Ascent: | Minimal |
| Time: | 5.9 miles | ||
| Weather: | Very heavy showers with intermittent sunshine. Not too cold for time of year. Flooded fields and wet under foot. | ||
| Comments: | Starting in sunshine Edith led us down Bonds Lane. On the way we saw a horse that was reluctant to pass some noisy machinery by the roadside. Fortunately the machine operator turned the machine off in order that the horse and we ramblers could pass without taking fright. For a short time whilst walking down the lane we had an outsize first aid kit in the form of an ambulance. Generally the fields were passable but wet with the odd flood. Stiles were very slippery as were some of the bridges. Our back marker can vouch for this as he nearly took a tumble. From Bonds Lane we took to the fields and headed for White Crosses and then by track to Great Eccleston. Crossing the Blackpool /Garstang road we walked upstream on the bank of the River Wyre, which was quite full due to the recent and present heavy rain. Re-crossing the Blackpool /Garstang road we continued along the bank of a wide drainage channel before turning right towards Cross House. Unfortunately, because of the heavy rain the field was partially flooded and we had to do a slight detour. This is where the group found out if they could walk on water or not. After passing Fiddlers Farm and Hollyovenbeck House we emerged on to a highway that brought us to Lane Heads. We turned left at this junction in to an aptly named Watery Gate Lane and followed this to Lodge Lane to return to Elswick in a very heavy downpour. It was intended to use field paths from Watery Gate Lane but due to the weather and conditions under foot it was decided to return by road. Although the weather was a bit off-putting thirty one people turned out to enjoy the walk and lunch that followed. Thank you Edith. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Edith in the leader's position
The First Aid Kit
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Ann clears the first stile . . .
where the rest of the group form a queue
Goose Guard
Winter berries
Bob tries to release a chained gate
but to no avail
The River Wyre in flood
Late Autumn by the River Wyre . . .
and another stile
Terry gives directions
The Fylde Group can walk on water!
One of many flooded fields
Here is an announcement!
Elswick Manor
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Going round the bend (to Elswick)!
The start point and destination