Fish and Chip Walk. Wednesday 19 August 15

The Fish and Chip walks are a social event that combine a short late afternoon walk with a fish and chip supper and a drink or two. As such they encourage older members to join us along with friends and family.

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 To view in better clarity all pictures taken on the walk click 'Here'

 The weather forecast for the day was for a bright start, gradually clouding over, with rain affecting all areas by mid afternoon. And so it was, by the time our group of 19 mustered for the start of the walk, the rain was falling steadily. Unfortunately this was to stay with us for the rest of the walk.

With Bob and Margaret at the helm, we took a path down to the Leeds/Liverpool canal, which we followed in the Leeds direction for half a mile or so before cutting off through fields up to Denham Hall. From there we took a track to Birchin Lane, which led us into Whittle le Woods. Here we joined the line of the now filled in Walton summit branch of canal, where thousands of tons of coal would have been transported North towards Walton Summit and thousands of tons of limestone South towards Liverpool. It was known as the trade of 'black for white'. Continuing our walk we stayed where possible, on the line of the disused canal, through Whittle le Woods as far as, then through the tunnel, where the River Lostock passes under the old canal. Almost immediately afterwards we entered the subway under the M61. How things have changed over the years. A climb from the subway and more paths took us to Town Lane, where we re-joined  and followed a still open section of the canal to where it joins the bustling Leeds/ Liverpool canal. A short walk along the tow path took us to The Top Lock pub for supper and, for the non - drivers, a fine selection of real ales.

The food that followed and the beer and drinks to wash it down were enjoyed by all, although the monster fish we had was a bit overfacing for those with smaller appetites.

Many thanks to Bob and Margaret for planning and leading the walk, and to Kate and Mike for sorting out the pub. Same again next year???