Midge Walkers

Walk  No. 88

Tarleton Walk 28-02-16

Could it have been that the sun was shining, or had our leader been recruiting new members? Whatever the reason 18 adults and Henry, the black lab assembled at the 17th century church of St Michael at Hoole.

Following an educational history of aspects of the church and explanations of the sundial and its workings dating back to 1815, we set off towards the main road emerging at the Bangla Fusion Restaurant. This in former times had been the Rose and Crown where the well known hangman Albert Pierpoint had once been landlord. Turning left and walking in the direction of Preston, soon brought us to an opening in the hedge which skirted a field and resulted in us crossing a footbridge over a brook and subsequently a second bridge passing into another field. Was this still somewhat waterlogged or had it recently been the subject of a generous spread of slurry, which seems to have become a recurring feature on some of our walks at this time of the year?

Arriving at a stile which necessitated some of the male members assisting Henry, by lifting him over, brought us to another series of sodden fields at the end which an elaborate 4 tier stile and bridge led us to a rather muddy single track path. Crossing a road we took a pathway over another stile and crossed another field to arrive at what had at one time been the line of the East Lancashire Railway.

Our route over a further field, ultimately led us to exit to a lane which passed Lower Marsh Farm and continued to the end, we arrived at the former Marsh land fill site. Here we followed a path which skirted the perimeter, ultimately emerging via another gate to the banks of the River Douglas. Model aircraft enthusiasts use the area to pursue their hobby, and as the day was ideal, the remote controlled jets could be seen and heard, darting through the sky, performing all sorts of well rehearsed manoeuvres.

Our walk along the elevated path brought us to an area opposite Hesketh Bank Marina, and at the site of where an old swing bridge had at one time stood, stopped for our coffee break.

Resuming our course along the bank and crossing a stile soon brought us to Tarleton Loch and further exertions returned us to the main A59 where we again turned left and turned into Liverpool Old Rd flanked with displays of snowdrops and daffodils to our starting position.

This had again been a pleasant way of spending an afternoon and enjoying each others company on what may, weather wise, just have been the best day of the year so far, and our thanks should be recorded as ever to the organiser.