The weather in the last few days has been cloudy, overcast and very warm, with close, tight conditions. We expected to have rain at some point today but it held off until we were back at base. Nonetheless, it was a 'dark' day with poor light conditions for some of the time.
Before we could start walking, we had to change bases and drove from Southport to Preston, left our car at our hotel and then caught a bus back to Hesketh Bank to start walking. Of course we caught the wrong bus, which dropped us on the main road above Hesketh, rather than in the village itself. It seemed mad to walk down a mile and then walk back the same mile, so we gave it a miss.
Before we could start walking, we had to change bases and drove from Southport to Preston, left our car at our hotel and then caught a bus back to Hesketh Bank to start walking. Of course we caught the wrong bus, which dropped us on the main road above Hesketh, rather than in the village itself. It seemed mad to walk down a mile and then walk back the same mile, so we gave it a miss.
From the bus stop we had a fairly short road walk to Carr House Bridge where we left the road and joined the seawall for the walk back down the River Asland, which we had come up yesterday. Despite the overhead conditions, it was a nice expansive landscape with plenty to interest the eye. It was particularly interesting seeing some of the route we walked yesterday from a different perspective. There was nice colour and texture to the landscape and instead of cabbages we had sweet corn as the main crop. The route stays on the River Asland, primarily seawall or rough path, until just bfeore Longton, when it cuts in to miss out the corner where the Asland meets the River Ribble.
River Aslan
Below the village of Longton you come up against the corners of the Longton and Hutton marshes. Here the path cuts inland, turning roughly north-east to go across country, cutting off the bottom right-hand corner of the dyke where the River Asland discharges in to the River Ribble. By the time we reached the River Ribble the tide was in and the river full. It was such a contrast from the low tide, steep, muddy banks of the Asland. While there was no sun to be seen in the sky, the day had warmed up considerably, now very hot and close, that uncomfortable heat that makes you welcome rain. The walk continues on seawall almost until you reach Preston.
With the tide at full, a number of sea-going vessels were taking advantage to move down-river, including some little 'barge boats' and sailing ships. The actual walking on the seawall was good, solid underfoot and the grass not too long.
With the tide at full, a number of sea-going vessels were taking advantage to move down-river, including some little 'barge boats' and sailing ships. The actual walking on the seawall was good, solid underfoot and the grass not too long.
Some small winged-beasties bothered us but not enough to make us want to leave the banking. There were a few butteflies around that I enjoyed chasing but never caught. On the banks of the river various flock of Barnacle Geese gave raucous acknowledgement to the day, while a Grey Heron stood in perfect isolation in the shallows, a picture of meditative awareness. On either side of the path there were swathes of wild flowers, painting the countryside with extravagance, a glorious kaleidoscope of colour. Just below the village of Freckleton on the opposite bank there is a view in to the mouth of the Dow Brook as it runs in to the Ribble. Towards the end of the path it deteriorated in places, overgrown with weeds and nettles but full with warm, sweet brambles that we enjoyed by the handful. We made sure, of course, to follow the countryside code on the eating of such fruits and only took from above knee height to avid the residula urine of various two and four-legged craturs.
The rural element ends as you enter Priory Park. In the afteernoon heat a personal trainer was putting a group of young women through their paces. The activity was being videoed and we inadvertently strayed in to their shot meaning the young athletes had it all to do again. We were the recipients of some stinking looks. I would have bet my pension that the trainer was ex-military such was her intent on physical excellence.
The path cuts round to go underneath the road and pedestrian bridge that goes over the River Ribble. Cutting off from the park up a narrow path we took a shortcut up the steep earth banking, climbing over a crash barrier to emerge directly on to the bridge and from there walked almost in a straight line to our accommodation at the top of the hill.
The path cuts round to go underneath the road and pedestrian bridge that goes over the River Ribble. Cutting off from the park up a narrow path we took a shortcut up the steep earth banking, climbing over a crash barrier to emerge directly on to the bridge and from there walked almost in a straight line to our accommodation at the top of the hill.
What with the travelling to Preston and then doubling back to Hesketh Bank to start walking, it had been a long day. In the close and energy-sapping heat, at times it had been uncomfortable. Nonetheless, it was a good day's walking and, while there small elements of road walking, there was enough solitude and joy on the river banks to more than make up for it. All in all, another good day's walking on the coast of Great Britain.