Wednesday, 7th October 2015

Walk: Shore, Hall Carr Lane, Hall Carr Farm, Hall Lane, Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve, through village to Back Lane, Marsh Farm, Pilot’s Cottage, Shore (Ribble Way)
Start Point: The Dolphin Pub, Longton Grid Reference: SD 458 254
Distance: 5.2 miles Ascent: None
Time: 3 hours
Weather: Fine and sunny after a cool start.
Comments:

A good walk enjoyed by 22 people.  The Dolphin is at the start/end of the Ribble Way.  It is a pleasant walk of open shore and sheltered tracks, some road walking and some fields. (There are some stiles in need of repair)  The highlight is the Nature Reserve.
The Reserve lies on the site of the former Bentley Brickworks.  Brickmaking ceased in the early 1960s when good quality clay ran out.  The site was left derelict until 1982 and during that time rainwater filled the former clay pits and nature took over.  Then housing development took place on part of the site and 11 hectares was left as public open space and nature conservation. There is now a Visitor Centre inc. toilets, free parking and picnic area.  The centre is open each afternoon from Wednesday – Sunday (May – Sept) and Thurs.  – Sun. (Oct. – April).
The Dolphin has a large, varied menu and serves excellent food at reasonable prices.

Leader of the day

A bridge crossing in an estuary breeze

A muddy track on what once was the Preston to Southport railway track in the good old days of steam

A load of bull

A dodgy stile - but no money to repair it

Refreshment break at Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve

Kingfisher and catch - Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve

A mass of berries in Back Lane Longton

The backmarker and company

Follow the leader - in this case Elizabeth

Use was made of the Ribble Way - the start which is nearby

On the Ribble Way embankment between farm land and marsh land of the Rivers Ribble and Douglas

The start of today's walk and the Ribble Way - The Dolphin or Flying Fish

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