Thursday 12th Sept 2024.
We met as arranged at Poulton-le-Fylde rail station just after 10.00AM. Geoff who had come by train, 30 mins, was still drinking coffee in the station cafe. It had taken me almost an hour and a half to drive over from South M/cr and then Garry Mellor arrived having had a two hour journey, from hell. His words, I've never thought of Greenfield in that way. However it was a lovely sunny day, perhaps a cloud or two but not many and very little breeze. So we three set off, the right way down the one way street (lady in Jag take note) toward and then across the bye-pass, A585. Once over, we missed the right turn but quickley found a way though. So we weren’t up the creek but now heading down it, Skippool Creek as planned. Cracking views across, up and down the marshy mud, the tide was definitely out. The new-ish Shard Toll Bridge across to our right. We went left and down to the Wyre proper and on along the muddy in places track, yesterday’s rain. The track roughly follows the river bank along the estuary and is good. It’s The Wyre Way. Passing by, Nestleton and through the Wyre Estuary Country Park you pass by the 'old' ICI Site. Much of it is a sight and turning into a tip! But with much returning greenery. Turning inland we crossed a muddy lorry site entrance, I suspect we had changed to a footpath but we were using our feet ! We came out just to the south of the Holiday Park. Geoff tried a ‘rear passage recy’ behind a short row of houses at this point. We waited and he returned, ‘no way through for us there'.
A right turn and a short section on the road, then another right just before the roundabout takes you down to Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park. You do pass by other less salubrious ‘attractions’ so I’ll not mention them. Across the Park and under a lovely metal arbour we passed some nice ‘sea’ front properties on the left, then reached the marina. Tide still out, bridge still open for us, so across we went and into Maccy D's. To early for lunch at 1150 AM, what do you think ?
Just after I ordered, I received a text from my GP. I’d had a blood test 2 days before. My blood sugar was similar to last year but they would prefer to have it a 'little lower'. I should try to adjust my life style ! Too late I’d ordered.
We were able to sit outside in the lovely warm sunshine next to our bikes and keeping our eyes on a few greedy gulls, keeping their eyes on our chips etc. After lunch, I did try to loose the party briefly but we found our ways across the busy junction to The Lost Trawlermen Memorial and so on passing Asda. A easy ride up the road around the town, passing some amusements and to the lighthouse were we joined the promenade. From here it’s a very easy ride of 10 miles to Blackpool Central Peir. But watch for the steps etc. There is very little contrast in grey concrete and a hard fall if you get it wrong. I'd suggest keeping to the right most of the way but not too far or you will get your feet wet ! For short sections we were diverted off the prom route as the council were having to remove wind blown sand. There was also work going on the foreshore, building new groynes (to limit long shore drift) out of boulders. You just can’t get the wood these days !
This could be a boring, flat, monotonous ride in lovely warm sunshine with little breeze, clear views and not many pedestrians about but someone has to do it ! Try it on a cold, windy, wet day with the tide in, no thanks. Rossall Point and then the School, Cleveleys, Little Bispham, Norbreck, ‘Big Bispham’ and North Shore are all passed before reaching the delights of Blackpool at the North Pier.
A little further on and we reached the Central Pier and we took a left and headed straight inland passing the Law Courts. Keeping almost straight ahead, in just over a mile you reach the roundabout at the front of Stanley Park. We found the cafe (No it wasn’t lost) and sat outside again for, in my case Tea and a scone with jam and butter, no cream. I have to adjust my life style ! Someone though did have the cream !
After our second ‘tiffin’ we crossed the park and boating lake, via bridges, coming out on the very busy A587. The Pelican Crossing can be a long wait. A left then right turn following the Zoo's entrance road. At its gate and car park you can get onto a nice track, NCN 62 and on into Staining. A few nice 'quiet' lanes (if there isn’t too much traffic) passing the windmill to the East of Newton brings you back into Poulton-le-Fylde.
I managed to loose both my companions here, one moment Geoff was just behind me, at the junction, no one was. They had shouted apparently but took a different way into the town as Garry had paid to park somewhere, sorry I lost you Garry. But you knew where you were going. I met up with Geoff later back at the station for a brief, Bye-bye. And so the journey home. I believe Garry had some hail, I had a very few little spots of rain on the M61 and then more sunshine until, a brief deluge as I turned into my road.
But we had had sunshine all day, a great day out. 26.5 miles and apparently 382 ft of ascent, I don’t know where that was.
Allan Henson Sept 2024