The October Ramble – Knott End
This month’s walk was taken from our back catalogue, having walked it some years ago with Sylvia and Pete. The turnout was a little unbalanced, with two from Longridge and three from Bolton.
Starting from the car park by the jetty, (I did consider a start from Fleetwood and crossing the Wyre by the ferry, using our ‘bus passes), we walked along the river path in pleasant walking conditions as far as Sea Dyke Cottage, from where we climbed up the embankment and followed a path around the golf course and across to Hackensall Hall. From here, a farm track led us to a footpath which is the bed of the old Knott End to Garstang railway, known as the ‘Pilling Pig’.
We next followed the roads around Preesall for a little while before entering a narrow lane where we encountered, in a garden, the mother of all Wendy Houses, in the form of a windmill complete with rotating sails.
At the end of this lane, we crossed a stile into a newly ploughed field that was difficult to cross and then on to our lunch stop. The land around here is dotted with old brine wells, the brine being pumped across the Wyre to be used in the chemical works around Fleetwood. These wells have subsequently flooded and have made a splendid habitat for many bird species and provide excellent fishing. We enjoyed a pleasant lunch, sitting on a fishing platform and watching the ducks etc.
On our way again, we passed a large corn field that seemed to be occupied by Guinea Fowl and on to a little farm where we saw the comical sight of a couple of long-haired pigs, lying down, with half a dozen chickens resting on the top of them. Also wandering around was a llama (or alpaca?).
The last leg of our walk followed the sea wall. Being exposed, it was a little windy here, but our elevated position provided splendid views across Morecambe Bay to the Lakes. Arriving back, we all retired to a café for coffee, a concession to the Bolton group!
All in all, an interesting stroll around a town that is in something of a pleasant time warp. And many thanks to Janet for appearing after arriving home from Turkey in the early hours of the morning.
Eddie Grange