Regional Walk – Saturday 5 September 2015 – Around Lancaster
This was a gentle afternoon stroll of around three miles although, at our leisurely pace we managed to fill a good two hours. Given the dismal summer we had had, we were extraordinarily lucky with the weather: it was a dry, warm and largely sunny afternoon. In all, there were sixteen walkers plus a dog, together with a small group, including Regional President, Tessa (and past Regional President, Edna) who waited patiently in the White Cross pub on the canal bank for the walkers to return. SI Grange was particularly well represented amongst the walkers.
Our walk was a circular around the city centre of Lancaster from our meeting place in Thurnham Street car park near the canal, along the canal bank (past the White Cross – useful for certain facilities) as far as the aqueduct over the River Lune. This route provides good views across the city and also towards the M6 and the hills beyond. From the aqueduct one can just see the new bridge over the river which is part of the Heysham link road which is under construction at various points around the city.
Coming down from the canal bank by the alternative routes of a very steep flight of steps or a more recently created gentle path for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users, we walked along the riverside path back into the centre of town. This route was once a railway track to Caton but is now a pleasant footpath cum cycle route which has some areas dedicated to wild life. The riverside route took us into the centre of town, via Green Ayre, a grassy area which also has a purpose built skateboarding track. From here, we made a diversion around the back of Sainsbury’s and back onto the riverside path, past the start of the Millennium footbridge and up the footpath which leads to the Castle and Priory Church. More good views from up here – worth the steep climb- this time towards Morecambe and the sea.
By the time we came down in front of the Castle to the centre of the town, a cup of tea was becoming more and more appealing and some of the group peeled off to refresh themselves in the cafe at the Storey Institute. The rest of us stuck it out and carried on to re-join the waiting group at the White Cross. Either way – what a very welcome drink that was!
All in all, a most enjoyable but not too exhausting afternoon. Excellent company!
Pat Ainsworth (SI Lancaster)
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