SG Brockholes Walk, 2nd November

Although we escaped the predicted downpour, it was a dull and damp day for a walk and not ideal for photographs. Fortunately the ground had dried out considerably since checking out the walk the previous Saturday. Starting from the Visitor Village we walked to The Lookout, an educational room with floor to ceiling windows which overlooks the Number One Pit, where we sighted Swans, Cormorants, Grebes and other water fowl. Leaving there we turned left and followed the trail past the play area and round to Nook Pool, where we saw a Grey Heron. We carried on past Ribbleton Pool and the back of Number One Pit to leave the Reserve.

We then walked under the M6 bridge and followed the path with a swollen and fast flowing River Ribble on our left. When we reached the A59 bridge, the 12 inches of water from a week ago had gone so we didn’t have to work our way round it. Carrying on beside the river we soon had Fishwick Hall Golf Course on our right, and towards the end of it we stopped for lunch, grateful for the picnic benches and lack of the forecasted deluge.

After lunch we followed the path to the end and safely crossed the busy London Road. We then strolled along The Boulevard and went up into Avenham Park, enjoying the autumn colours of the trees along the way, and the lovely Acers in the Japanese Garden. Passing through Avenham and Miller Park we reached The Continental and the end of the 6.5 mile walk.