Getting ready for the Wyre Way Challenge

There are big decisions – sandwiches or pasta salad for my packed lunch tomorrow? Salads are hard work in the rain – you can eat a sandwich with your head inside your waterproof. Is there any way I can lighten my rucksack? I`ve got the necessities, what about the flower, bird and tree books, binoculars and umbrella?

On yesterday’s walk we had such a wet start and the waterproof lining in my jacket fell apart – perished – it’s only 15 years old.  The shop I bought it from perished long ago. The rest of the day saw glorious sunshine and we were counting ducklings and photographing newly hatched cygnets along the canal.

40 people turned up for the Bluebell walk on this stunning evening. This was a partnership with Garstang Ramblers. It works well.

We who live in and around Garstang see Greenhalgh Castle from all angles, but tonight , thanks to the landowners allowing us access to the land and historian Paul sharing his knowledge, we were transported back in time to Cromwell’s days and the siege which took place.

Tomorrow I lead the first day of the 41 mile Wyre Way walk. I’ve got a list of names – they are just names yet – tomorrow all that changes as you meet the folk – the folk who will be sharing with you the Wyre Way adventure.

I’ve decided – ham and mustard sandwiches and make a list of flowers/birds likely to be seen and don’t take the books. Only time will tell whether I’ve made the right choice!

Pat

Countdown to the Garstang Walking Festival!

Pat Ascroft

It’s the week before the Festival opens on the 6^th May and I’m full of nervous excitement about it all. As a volunteer ranger leading and backing up some of the walks and activities you just want to help all those who will come to take part to enjoy what the Wyre area has to offer. May is the queen of months and anyone wanting to experience flora and fauna, fells and fields, rivers and coast at its best, couldn’t do better than take part in the festival. It’s very special to be in the woods – the trees which have been home to herons for hundreds of years. As this heronry is on a private estate, the festival offers this one-off chance.

I and others have had a few busy weeks checking the routes. My favourite is the four day Wyre Way walk. The 40-mile journey starts at the estuary near Fleetwood, a few minutes on the Knott-End Ferry and we walk our way into the Trough of Bowland. People come from far and near. I wonder who might be on the 15 mile Wyre Boundary Explorer – 2 are coming from Middlesborough, or how many will enjoy the Tewit Teas – no – we don’t eat them – just walk, watch, and photograph and enjoy refreshments in the village hall afterwards.

With only a week to go – I check my first aid kit – hoping it won’t be used – get the maps and routes in order for each day, refresh my memory on the names of flowers, birds and trees, for my own benefit as well as others. I’ll go into Visit Garstang Centre and look at the names on the booking forms- only names as yet- but come the day, we meet up and together experience what Garstang, Rural Wyre, the Lancaster Canal and the Forest of Bowland has to offer.

 Bring it on I say.

 Pat Ascroft

 Volunteer Ranger full of nervous excitement

Meeting the Faces behind the Festival

At the minute I am working with the Countryside team here at Wyre Borough Council to promote the upcoming Garstang Walking Festival. As I’m still fairly new I thought it might be nice to get a bit more involved with the festival this year and find out just what’s going on. So, I made a trip to Garstang to meet the team last Thursday evening as they put together final preparations for the festival in May. Well, it was a pleasure to meet such a friendly bunch! The amount of walks talking place is amazing and I managed to speak to some of the people involved in walks such as the 4 day Wyre Way, the Garstang Evening Walk and Old Holly Farm’s from Grass to Ice Cream Walk! Everyone’s really enthusiastic about the festival and are working hard to make it a great experience for anyone who comes along. I’ve invited some of the ‘faces’ I met to write some top tips for getting the most out of the festival and to keep us updated once it’s underway….so watch this space!

Faces of Garstang Walking Festival