Wednesday, 4th April 2012

Walk: Cottam, Ashton, Lea and Lea Town
Start Point: The Smiths Arms, Lea Town Grid Reference: SD 476 311
Distance: 5.5 miles Ascent: 200 feet
Time: 2.5 hours    
Weather: An icy east wind but dry. Temperature approx 4 degrees C. Dry under foot.
Comments: The leader and sixteen other brave souls ventured out on a very cold and windy day. Joining the Lancaster Canal at Lea Lane they walked east along the tow path to reach Lea Road. Leaving the canal they then ventured north for a few hundred yards to follow a public footpath around recent development at Cottam. Retuning to the northern side of the canal they then joined The Preston Guild Wheel. This is a cycle track/footpath 21 miles in length which circumnavigates Preston and has been constructed to celebrate Preston Guild. The Guild occurs every twenty years. Continuing along the Guild Wheel the group passed through the University of Lancashire sports facility to join the Millennium Link at Ashton. Continuing along the Link towards the River Ribble the group passed the Preston North End Training Ground and also the Ashton and Lea Golf Club. Leaving the Link at Goodier Bridge the group returned to the normalness of fields and stiles as they made their way around the back of Lea Town to return to The Smiths Arms. The paths in general where paved and the absence of stiles allowed the party to make good progress. This proved beneficial in so much that the landlady of the pub had asked for an early return in order that she could accommodate a funeral party at two.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

A cold and windy Lancaster Canal at Lea

 

A farm access bridge - perhaps they couldn't afford the cost of stone for the arch

 

Standing stone faced on the approach to Cottam

 

Over the bridge they go - note the winter outfits

 

Name the bird that laid this egg

 

Some of the upmarket properties at Cottam

 

Landscaping at Cottam

 

This horse was stone cold . . .

 

whilst these beasts snuggled up to keep warm

 

The Preston to Kendal or Lancaster Canal at Cottam

 

Bulrushes gone to seed . . .

 

and a zoomed view

 

Information about a new cycle route

 

Locks on the Millennium Link at Lea

 

A farmer's flock . . .

 

the leader's flock

 

Equinal - Lea Town

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