The Douglas Valley

A nice four odd mile walk. 

"They say West Lancashire is flat, and much of it is, but Lancashire is full of surprises. The walk starts with a slight ascent on to High Moor. Not that it is what we would call a moor today: the name dates back to before the Enclosure Acts. As to the 'high' part, that creeps up on you, unsuspected until you start down an enclosed track and then out into an open field. The spire of Parbold church is below you and, to its right, the land falls away to the real lowlands around Ormskirk and stretching away to the sea."

The AA, 2008

Down in the Valley

After many weeks, nay, months of saying we would start going for walks, myself and Laura finally did it. We decided to start with a easy and local walk. So we popped off in the car on Sunday, parked on Parbold Hill and off we trotted, with the promise of an ice-cream from the van when the walk was done.

The Clouds Over the Landscape

It was a slightly overcast day to start with but the sun soon came out and graced us with it warmth. We were pretty glad it wasn't a scorcher and the autumn breeze kept us nice and cool.

Pheasant Field

I have never seen as many pheasants in one place than in this field. The landowner had obviously set up this field with keeping game birds in mind. There were plenty of of hedges and overgrowth from them to thrive as well as purpose built shelters and a good supply of creepy crawlies to keep them going. Unfortunately, my camera isn't quick enough to get a clear photograph of one. Maybe next time.

After the pheasant infested field, we picked up a boggy path by a small stream which cut through the fields. I let Laura lead the way just in case she fell in the stream and I would be able to snap her ankle deep in water. Alas, it was't to be. She did nearly loose a shoe though.

There was plenty of woodland on this trek around the Douglas Valley. Autumn is at last showing itself, The leaves are changing from their familiar greed tones into magnificent reds, browns and golden yellows. Autumn is a great time to take photographs. The contrasting colours across the landscape make for impressive images to be captured. 

The Source

Now, I realise that the photograph above doesn't look that impressive, but you are actually looking at a fresh water spring. I know I'm easily impressed, but I find this kind of stuff amazing. If I was a braver man, I might have had a drink, but I didn't fancy spending the new 24 hours locked in my bathroom, with no one to keep me company but Justin Lee Collins (I'm reading his autobiography - Good Times).

Autumn Colours

The photograph above shows how many different colours there are at this time of year. Acorns in the three colour stages of light green, red and brown and the purple of the trees flower. All of these contrast well against the dark green leaves.

Laura's Tree of the Day

Still wondering through the wooded area, we came across this magnificent old oak tree growing over a pool of water. The twisting branches and the thick solid trunk says that this tree has had a tough old life but it still going strong. It was most likely witness to the local celebrations of  the British victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, and will be here long after we have all gone.

What Was is Now Not

The woodland started to clear as we followed the path. We were heading into framing territory and the sun was getting warmer. The sky is starting to take on the deep blue colour that comes with winter. This is possibly my favourite colour. It just makes me happy to look up and see a mass of dark blue broken up by just a few soft, white fluffy clouds.

One Chicken, Two Chicken, Three...

After negotiating many huge puddles relatively successfully, and managing to walk past a very nice looking pub, we walked down a country lane where there were many lovely houses that one could only ever dream of being able to afford. I still have my fingers crossed for the National Lottery win, but I have more chance of finding a cure for AIDS on the bottom of one of my shoes than that ever happening.

Open Spaces

The views in this part of the country are stunning. There are miles and miles of wonderful countryside. Its hard to think that we were only 10 minuets out of Wigan. Lancashire, although highly industrialised, still has many greenbelt areas, and with good reason too. Just getting away to somewhere like this for an afternoon is so good for relieving stress associated with living in towns and cities. A touch of fresh air and sunshine can do you the world of good.

Fat Man Goes to Church

However, signs of civilisation, albeit of a quaint fashion, are never far away when in the southern end of Lancashire. Just across the field, the steeple of Parbold Church peeks grandly over the top of the trees and intrudes on the vast landscape of rolling, gentle hills. 

The next leg of the walk saw us walk through a field of rare breed cows. I wont divulge too much, but one of the two of us were not too keen on the animals, and one of the two of us may have grabbed hold of the other and pushed them toward the cows in order to protect themselves and leave me, I mean the other person for dead.

Fallen Fence

Once through the field, it was time to cross a small stream in a small piece of woodland. Once up the path, we came to the road. A busy road. The road over Parbold is the only way to through this part of the country, without going all the way around the hill. The traffic on the road can be hear from pretty much everywhere on this walk, which is a true pity. To hear the sounds of the country and nothing else would be blissful.

With the road negotiated, it was back to the countryside. A nice field full of sheep lead us down to the Leeds and Liverpool canal. The canal is the reason why the North West was a super power during the industrial revolution. Now it's just a place to spend leisure time boating, walking or cycling.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

The walk along the canal was pleasant. Its strange that we take this stretch of water for granted. Both of us living close to it, but hardly making use of it. A few walks and bike rides down the canal could be in order next summer.

In Loving Memory

We took the advise of the bench and had a little rest and a bag of melted Malteesers.  It was nice to take a few moments out of the walk to just chill-out and rest our feel. After all, it was all up-hill back to the car after the flat pathway of the canal.

Horse, Sheep and Steeple.

We followed the canal for maybe half a mile then back onto the toe-path it was. Up, up, up we went through the woods.

Choo Choo!

Over the train tracks we crossed from one wood and into another. We were on the home straight now. Less than a mile to go, but a very steep mile nonetheless.

Stile in the Woods

 The shade of the trees makes this quite a good mid-summers walk for the casual walker. There are a few stiles along the way but nothing to challenge the most casual of walker. It was a most enjoyable walk about. And when you get to the end, you get one hell of a view, and in my case, a Twister lolly too!