One woman's quest for the good life in a little patch of suburbia
I am working on a personal project which requires a case study. I would like to offer my proofreading services for free in return for some feedback. It can be creative writing or something non-fiction, a complete work or part of something else. The word limit is 2,000 words but this can be negotiated. If you’re interested, please email clarekelly2002@yahoo.co.uk
Day one of the Guild Wheel, seven or eight miles of it, was relatively easy, certainly compared to the 14-mile stretch which faced me today.
From the Tickled Trout Hotel, I walked on along the River Ribble towards Preston city centre. Some ways into Preston are less than beautiful, but the three miles along the Guild Wheel takes one along the scenic river route and into Avenham Park, what must be Preston’s hidden treasure. If you ever visit Preston, seek it out. It’s down the side streets but well worth the detour.
One time I walked this way – via the River Ribble – with Mum (just to the city centre, not the whole Guild Wheel route). There was a nervous moment when we came across a herd of cows but there were no calves and they ignored the strange two-leggeds. This time the bovine beauties were safely in a field, enjoying their grass.
I had a little tea break at the cafe in Avenham Park and then set off again.
Past the New Continental Pub, a popular entertainments venue, into Broadgate and here I continued along the river.
Eventually this took me to Preston Docks. Now it has pubs, cinema, shops and residential waterfront living but it was once a major industrial point, which opened in 1892. Cotton, timber, oil, coal and fruit were among the products imported and there was even a ferry service to Northern Ireland. By the 1970s though, the Docks started to decline until it eventually became today’s leisure and residential centre.
This was where I thought I would get lost but the trail is so well signposted, with clear markings on the road itself and on signs, that it was remarkably easy to find my way.
The Guild Wheel also passes a railway track – the train sets off from the Ribble Steam Railway Museum.
Circling the Docks, I found myself next to a main road. For the first time, I doubted my map-reading skills. And for the first time, the signs seemed a little lacking compared to before. The road section is a tad boring but then I found a sign and realised, thankfully, I was on the right track!
After crossing a bridge over a dual carriageway, my river and dock stroll turned into a canal ramble, along Lancaster Canal.
And then it was past the university sports hall, and into the world of suburbia and new housing developments.
And at 3pm on Sunday, I reached home. A full circle that was 21 miles long and took about 28 hours (with a night’s sleep in between).
And if I wasn’t tired on the Saturday after 8 miles, I was definitely ready for a sit down and a cup of tea after my 14-mile stretch on the Sunday!
It was raining, my friend was too ill to join me on my Preston Guild Wheel walk, I was alone and wondering if I would get bored and then…
I saw a deer (pictured below). Of course, with my rather average camera phone, it doesn’t look like one unless you enlarge it and then you might see a little blob. But it really was a deer and I saw it with my own eyes. This part of the walk is suburbia but a path leads onto a large open space of green that has been left for people and dogs to enjoy, and wildlife to live. The Woodland Trust looks after part of it.
This curiosity (below), and others like it, can be found in the parkland. I think it’s an ‘insect hotel’ for bees etc to live.
The Guild Wheel took me through both a natural and industrial landscape.
Sometimes it was a path with railings on either side, hiding behind were factories and offices.
Other times it took me on a detour of beautiful greenery – despite a motorway just minutes away.
Along the way, I entered the exterior of Preston Crematorium, a peaceful place, and continued along a tree-lined path which took me to Brockholes Nature Reserve.
But first I encountered the now disused site of Courtaulds, a manufacturer of rayon. Built in 1939 and closed in 1979, it was the largest site in Britain to produce rayon (according to Wikipedia). At its peak, 4,000 people were employed there and when it closed in 1979, 2,800 jobs were lost (Keith Johnson, Cherished Memories of Old Mansion and Rise of Industry, https://www.lep.co.uk ).
There also used to be an old mansion in this area but alas, it is no more.
It always surprises me how brown belt land often seems to be reclaimed by nature.
The trail continues towards Boilton Wood, neighboured by Nab, Redcar and Tunbrook Woodlands. Boilton Wood is a site of special scientific interest and forms part of the biggest stretch of ancient woodland in Lancashire (information from Visit Preston website).
When I reached Brockholes Nature Reserve, I spotted this delightful fellow.
And another colourful resident can be seen here…
Brockholes is a fabulous and unusual 250-acre nature reserve, owned by the Wildlife Trust. It’s such a peaceful natural haven that you wouldn’t think it is so near to the M6 but it is. The former gravel quarry actually supplied materials to build the motorway and only opened in 2011, after being bought by the trust in 2007.
It’s located on a flood plain of the River Ribble so has a unique floating visitor village!
After a delightful and filling leek and potato soup at the cafe, I continued the last mile along the River Ribble to the Tickled Trout Hotel in Samlesbury. I was lucky enough to have a lovely pastoral river view from the room window, and was able to watch the cows munching the grass alongside the River Ribble.
I was glad I embarked on this journey after all!
Part 3 coming soon..
(For more information about Brockholes, visit https://www.brockholes.org)
Near me is a 21-mile cycle route called the Preston Guild Wheel. Although I don’t ride a bike, I think it is a marvellous route, connecting the outer ‘green ways’ of the city, courtesy of founder and keen cyclist Peter Ward. Happily for me, it is an inclusive path and cyclists, families, dog walkers, canines and intrepid ramblers can co-exist as we explore the natural highlights of the city.
As a dog walker, I have walked a little of this circular pathway several times. I have also rambled a stretch of it with Simon, family and friends on various occasions to the fabulous Brockholes Nature Reserve and back. But this year, a friend and I thought we would walk the whole route.
All 21 miles of it.
It is possible to do it all in one day but we thought we would make a weekend of it and stop off at a hotel en route. A new swanky hotel was due to open in the city centre and we thought we might be able to splash out a little for one night. But alas, it turned out it would not be open by the time of our adventure so we opted for The Tickled Trout Hotel instead, three miles out of the city and overlooking the River Ribble.
The date was set – June 1. Maps were printed off. We agreed to meet near a point of the wheel and either walk 8 miles the first day and 13 miles on the Sunday, or vice versa.
But sometimes things don’t go according to plan.
The afternoon before, my friend texted. She was feeling ill and didn’t think she would be able to make it. She hoped she would but was alerting me that, just in case, she might not be up to it tomorrow.
I felt a sense of disappointment and, if I’m honest, was tempted to cancel the whole endeavour and snuggle down on the sofa with a good book.
It may have been June but the weather wasn’t very summery.
But the hotel was booked and, as it was so much short-notice, I would have lost the money.
So that decided the matter.
Ever the trooper, the next day, when I received confirmation that C was too poorly to do the walk, I put on my walking boots, lifted my rucksack onto my back (including a paperback thriller which I swear got heavier and heavier with each step) and left my house, heading to the start of the Guild Wheel, a mere 10 minutes walk away.
Now, I love spending time by myself on walks. However, these are usually for shortish periods of time, and rambling, ruminating, musing and daydreaming for an hour or so is very pleasant but a whole weekend of listening to my own thoughts? Will I bore myself?!
And to match my mood, it was raining, a miserable drizzle….
But I will persevere… Preston Guild Wheel, I have arrived and I will explore all 21 miles of you. The adventure begins now! ☺️
See Part 2 coming soon ….
Rebecca from Wild Sensibility has very kindly nominated Cosy Cottage for the Liebster Award and I am delighted to accept my nomination. She’s got a terrific blog about nature, dogs, writing and running and I’d definitely recommend a wander to her website here: Wild Sensibility
I’ve copied Wild Sensibility’s definition (courtesy of The Global Aussie blog) of the award here:
The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by other bloggers. The earliest case of the award goes as far back as 2011. Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.
The award is a way to be discovered but also to connect and support the blogging community. Originally it was given out to blogs with less than 2000 readers but this has slowly lowered as the reward has gained popularity. If you like helping other blogs out, go ahead and do it regardless of its size.
The rules of the Liebster Award are (loosely):
1. Acknowledge the blog which nominated you.
2. Answer the questions your nominator asked.
3. Nominate two to six other bloggers who might appreciate the boost.
4. Ask them several unique questions.
5. Let them know you have nominated them.
Here are my answers to Rebecca’s questions:
1. What typically is the closest object on your right when you’re writing (not including a computer mouse)?
A cup (or should that be a big mug?!) of tea.
2. What one-sentence bit of advice would you give to your 13-year-old self?
Be yourself, it’s okay not to be the same as everyone else. Don’t pretend to be a trendy Take That fan if you’re really a geeky Suede fan! (As was my case!)
3. Describe your ideal writing space and place (assuming money isn’t an issue).
I would have a lovely vintage style shed in the garden.
4. What is your most frequent photographic subject?
Probably scenes of nature, places of interest, chickens and other pets. It would be lovely to be able to take photos of wild animals but they don’t stay still for me and I end up with a blur instead!
5. Favourite quote?
‘There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy’ (Hamlet, although I used to think it was ‘There’s more to heaven and earth than meets the eye’!) and To thine own self be true (Polonius, again from Shakespeare’s Hamlet). I think there is a truth in both quotes, we don’t know everything there is to know in the universe and it is best to be true to ourselves and learn to accept and respect ourselves.
6. What does blogging (writing, and reading) add to your life?
For some years, I felt something was missing from my life. Until I started writing my blog, I hadn’t realised it was simply having a creative outlet which, it turns out, is rather important to me. Blogging also makes me feel part of a wider, international community and the diversity of the blogs out there has entertained and inspired me over the last two years.
7. If you could choose to be any animal for a 24-hour period, which would you be and why?
A pampered dog, with lots of delicious food and nap time.
8. Do you have other creative outlets besides writing?
I would like to learn crafts and do more gardening and baking. I bought a knitting kit recently so hopefully will get into knitting soon. The last time I knitted anything was when I was 10!
The most difficult choice is who to nominate when there are so many fabulous bloggers out there. But I’ve chosen:
But if anyone else wants to answer the questions, go ahead! I know the rules say ‘unique questions’ but I’m going to cheat and just go with the ones above. 🙂
The West Midlands, especially around Birmingham, has a reputation of being a built-up, urbanised sprawl – but there are some rather idyllic parts here too.
One such peaceful haven is Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve. I was lucky enough to visit here one sunny October day and here are some of the beautiful views I saw…
As well as the beautiful scenery, wildlife we spotted today (mostly at the hide overlooking the lake) included heron, swans, coots, cormorants, lapwings and gulls.
My godchildren especially enjoyed the mud kitchen, making mudpies (yum, delicious!), the bat trail and a nearby children’s playground.
Even where there are large cities – this site is close to Birmingham after all – there is always natural beauty nearby.
Facts of the Day
1. RSPB Sandwell Valley was once used by the nearby colliery.
2. There are a variety of habitats including wildflower meadows, woodland, scrub, wildlife garden, ponds and lake.
3. The site is based around Forge Mill Lake and is part of Sandwell Valley Country Park.
4. The address is: RSPB Sandwell Valley, Tanhouse Ave, Great Barr, West Bromwich, Birmingham B43 5AG.
5. For more information on the RSPB, visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/
Perhaps my dream of a self-sufficient smallholding isn’t really for me if my reaction at a farming event, when meeting and greeting the animals, is “Oh, how cute” and “Hello, if I had a bigger garden, you could come and live in it and help cut my grass”. No wonder Simon had a wry smile on his face!
Perhaps I should stick with my pigs * and chickens!
We were visiting Masham after a morning at Ripon and Thornborough in Yorkshire. We had no expectations of any type of event but it so happened that it was the day of Masham Sheep Fair.
Who knew there were so many different type of goats or sheep? Or that a very clever collie could successfully herd a group of gaggling geese?
We bought some tasty goat and sheep cheeses at a stall and watched a very entertaining sheep show, learning about the different breeds.
The craft stalls were inspiring and I felt so motivated, I bought myself a knitting pack, with wools and needles.
During the winter nights, I could knit some gloves – that’s the aim anyway. I haven’t knitted since I was about 10!
* guinea pigs! 😀
