Allen and Tetley came into the room, to find Southey looking gloomily out of the window.
"What's the matter pal", said Tetley with concern in his voice.
"I'm worried about Dad and how he is still suffering with the pain in his leg. I keep thinking it is our fault for keep asking to go on adventures."
"I understand what you are saying", replied Allen, "but in the summer it was not bothering him so much, and I am sure if he could not manage he would have told us."
"Like he did when we went to Armathwaite Hall", went on Tetley. We will just have to have faith that Uncle Dennis will be able to get Dad on the road to full recovery, soon."
"Yes pal, we'll just have to be patient."
We sat quietly for a little while then, until Shaun with Grizzly and Little Eric trotted in.
"Ooh tea and cakes", cried Allen. "Just the ticket to cheer us up."
The mugs were ready and waiting, Southey helping Shaun fill them with our favourite Ramblears tea."
"Mmm", breathed Tetley. "Like manna from heaven."
Little Eric called out, "the cakes are mincemeat slice from Grizzly, and I have done chocolate coconut and cherry slice."
"Yummy", shouted Allen, taking one of each.
We all dug in there being silence for a while. Of course Allen and Southey being the arch cake stuffers were competing to see who could eat most.
Grizzly had been watching, declaring when both were full, "it's a draw. Six pieces each."
"Sure you've both got hollow legs", said Tetley letting out a bellow of laughter.
Shaun had been quiet for the most part, refilling mugs when required. "I have been talking with Dad about a walk. He feels that three miles or so is the limit at present. There is of course the uncomfortable pain when driving back. Tomorrow is a bright sunny day, so we are going to walk from home. Down to the promenade, then along as far as Regent Road and through the park and then along Westgate."
"Lovely", cheered Little Eric. "It will be good to get some fresh air."
As forecast the day dawned with blue skies. Rather cold but there was no wind.
We eagerly snuggled in the rucksack and called out "goodbye", to our many other pals.
"Take care Dad", said Craig. "Take your time too, that may help with the discomfort."
From home Shaun said, "right then left down Hampsfell Drive."
It bends right but there is access to the cycleway straight ahead.
"Right along the cycleway", advised Shaun.
We had walked this track many times, Tetley commenting, "there are quite a few horse stables on either side, that being an example."
Shortly we came to Trimpell Sports and Social Club.
"I've got information about this", said Grizzly. "These premises were built at a cost of £20,000 and opened in October 1956, being described at the time as 'palatial'. The name comes from the three companies that owned the playing fields. Trinidad Leaseholds (TR), Imperial Chemical Industries (IMP), and Shell Oil (ELL). As Trinidad Leaseholds and Shell wound down their operations in Heysham, ICI became the sole patron until 1980 when with the new power station at Heysham the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) purchased the playing fields, took over their maintenance and joined ICI as one of the club patrons.
After the break up of the CEGB the successor companies played a smaller and smaller role in the club and eventually sold the land back to ICI. The Club was subsequently purchased from ICI by its members who continue to run the Social club as it is today."
"Thank you pal", said Little Eric. "I have always wondered about the origin of the name."
Just beyond is a crossroads. "Left", said Southey.
This took us to the railway crossing....
...over the single line that runs from Morecambe to the port at Heysham.
The picture is taken looking towards Morecambe Station, that we passed as we continued along the cycleway.
"That's a pretty painted crossing", pointed Allen.
"It's replicated on that litter bin too", called out Tetley.
"There's information about it", pointed Southey. "I'll read it for us. It is called the Bay Rose Crossing. The People's Jury on Climate Change co-designed this crossing with members of the Morecambe community, partners and artists of the Good Things Collective.
We were inspired by the sea, and the unique habitats along Morecambe Bay, our commitment to protecting the environment and improving sustainable travel.
As we cross over we should note the red and white wild roses for the Way of the Roses Cycle Route."
The crossing led us onto Central Drive and this view towards the Festival Market.
Dad told us, "this road and the area as it is now did not exist when I first came to live here. The tall chimneys behind the market buildings are of the former Promenade railway station. With the station being moved back this allowed the building of the road, and the Morrisons supermarket etc, the market, Reel cinema and large car park.
Grizzly said, there were lots of art projects too as part of the regeneration of Morecambe, like the Poetry Path that runs along the far side of the market buildings."
The words stretching away are 'Like water off a ducks back', and here are two of the many poems featured in the art work.
Other artworks were part of the regeneration, like these bird sculptures perched on a rock in the centre of the roundabout at the junction of Central Drive with the promenade.
"There's the former Promenade Station now an entertainment venue", pointed Grizzly. "There were at one time a number of railway stations in Morecambe, and this was the terminus of the Midland Railway Company."
He went on, "with the consolidation of the railway companies the Midland became part of the LMS - London Midland and Scottish, and they built the iconic art deco Midland Hotel."
This is acknowledged by this National Transport Trust plaque.
Dad recalled, "when I first moved here in 1980 the hotel was open, but as time went on it closed and fell into disrepair, such that it was nearly only suitable for demolition. However it was taken over by Urban Splash and fully restored. It is currently operated by the Inn Collection Group. Whilst in the closed state it was used by the television company as a location for an episode of Poirot."
Dad, ready for a little rest walked a few yards to sit and look across the Bay. The stone jetty, was also being part of the regeneration, with our beloved Lakeland Fells behind. Allen said, "from the left is Green Pikes, the pointed summit of Caw, then the long ridge of Walna Scar, and rising to Dow Crag and right of the dip Coniston Old Man running right to Wetherlam, and on the far right the Langdale Pikes."
"Mmm", sighed Shaun. "So many happy days in the past climbing them all. So many wonderful memories, that we have recorded on our website, so that they can be relived."
Before setting off Little Eric asked, "please take our picture Dad for the story."
Dad told us, "the seafront and properties was susceptible to flooding and there have been serious instances in the past. This prompted the installation of the wave deflection flood wall. The original has in the recent past been replaced. Separating the promenade from the road, as we know it is very popular for pedestrians and cyclists."
"Not many people today though being mid week and out of season", commented Southey.
We progressed to Regent Road and on the promenade the start of West End Gardens, where stands the Hook Beacon.
This installation was a project by Broadent.studio. The following describes the Hook Beacon - Schools Project, and is taken directly from their website. -
An idea was also conceived to engage with the Primary Schools, which involved a ‘sea creatures’ drawing competition with every child participating, and a winner in each year group being able to actually transform their drawings into clay in a series of workshops with Broadbent Studio and the students.
The project was presented by the student team of Heysham High school at the school assemblies of Sandylands Primary school and West End Primary school.
The Primary School children were asked to insert drawings of sea creatures on a project information sheet, specially prepared by one of the Heysham students interested in graphic design. A judging panel chose one winner from each of the schools year groups, and those children were invited to Heysham High school where they modelled their designs in clay. The clay designs were then arranged onto a domed shape, and a fibreglass pattern created through a rubber mould of the composed design. This was then cast into bronze.
The 14m tall beacon was fabricated in cor-ten weathering steel with the bent rod made of stainless steel pipes and spacers, the fishing line steel cable connects to a bronze hook welded to the bronze sea creatures dome.
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Before crossing the road to walk along Regent Road, Little Eric pointed, "what's that large building?"
Grizzly had the notes. "That is the Alhambra Theatre. It was opened in 1901 as the Alhambra Palace, it took its name, though not its style, from the famous Moorish original in Granada, Spain. The building was in continuous use, with a range of entertainment and social uses, until 1970 when a fire gutted the interior. Following extensive refurbishment the theatre reopened in 1973 as The Inn on the Bay before renaming itself The Carleton Club, becoming a major events venue and one of the great Northern Soul dance clubs. After closing in 2016, it reopened the same year as a multi-purpose venue with capacity of 1,100. It is now known, as can be seen over the entrance as Alhambra Live. The theatre was the location where Laurence Olivier shot his iconic 1960 film version of John Osbourne's The Entertainer." (source Wikipedia)
Along Regent Road we came to Regent Park. "Lets walk through there", suggested Tetley.
The building in the centre is the the clubhouse of the local bowling Club. To the left is the entrance to the Regent Park Pavillion Cafe and Bar.
Exiting the park we noted this attached to the gate.
Grizzly said, "this is the shield for Morecambe Town Council with the motto 'Beauty Surrounds Health Abounds'.
"Yes so true", replied Southey.
Further on Regent Road we crossed the bridge over the rail line to Heysham and on to Westgate.
"There's Morecambe Football Club ground", pointed Tetley. "The Mazuma Stadium."
The club is finally under new ownership, but this was a long and protracted business, that had a big impact on the fortunes of the club. They got as high as Division 1, only to be relegated and then relegated again from Division 2 to the National League. It is taking time to revive the fortunes and currently the club is struggling in the relegation area of the National League.
At the entrance is the Hurley Flyer Restaurant and Pub. "That's named after the RNLI hovercraft that operates from the station here", commented Allen.
Striding on we passed this impressive recently built house called Westgate Manor.
As Dad took the picture Grizzly said, "what is of particular interest is the building at the bottom of the drive with the cross on its wall. This is the Church of the Holy Family founded in 1979. I am not sure whether it is still in use for services."
Onwards Dad's progress was very shortly halted, by Southey pointing to this grid cover. "What do the letters mean?"
Dad replied, "this was in the days when the water and sewerage was under the control of the local area. The MHWW stands for Morecambe and Heysham Water Works. Now we have the large companies, United Utilities being responsible here."
"With all the controversy about these privatized water companies, one wonders if it would have been better to still have local control", commented Shaun.
Along this side of Westgate, when I came to live here there there was nothing. Since then the football stadium, primary school and housing estate have been built, as well as the new Fire Station.
Just past this two ladies came out along a path. "That might well be a bit of a short cut", suggested Shaun.
Following it Tetley said, "there's the Westgate Medical Practice, if you cut right through the trees we will be on the road by it."
Then just a short walk past the old peoples bungalows and the short distance to home.
"Thank you Dad for a lovely walk", said Little Eric. "And thank you Grizzly for making it so interesting."
"Aye pal", agreed Tetley. "You are without a doubt the ace researcher."
"My leg was painful from the promenade, but I do not regret making the effort", said Dad. "I am seeing Dennis tomorrow for my osteopath appointment. He really has kept me physically well and fit, and have confidence he will sort this problem out in time. I will just have to be patient."
