We decided to celebrate a recent birthday by using our bus passes for a trip to RHS Bridgewater. In theory this journey seemed feasible by taking a bus to Bolton, changing to a bus to Walkden and then walking from Walkden to the gardens. We packed the Greater Manchester map and a picnic, with plenty of water.
Unfortunately, by the time we got to Chorley over an hour had elapsed. The first stage of the journey to Bolton was taking longer than anticipated. We bailed out and found ourselves at a stop we had never seen before opposite Myles Standish Way.
I now realise that I had confused Chorley's Astley Park, which is accessible from the town centre, with the Yarrow Valley Country Park, which was signposted for cyclists and pedestrians from our point on the A6. We walked up Myles Standish Way past modern 'executive' housing developments but with no indication of the country park.
It was our good fortune to meet an older chap pushing his grandson in a buggy. He was helpful as was his friend who gave us directions to Birkacre. He hoped we were good walkers. We assured him that we were and set off along a dusty track past the site of the ancestral grounds of the landowning Kelletts.
Much to my relief all the landmarks the 'Chorley chaps' had listed came into view and we swiftly saw ahead of us the welcome sign of the Yarrow Valley Visitor Centre with its cafe (and free toilets).
We ate our lunch sitting by a fishing pond watching the ducks.
I pulled out the Greater Manchester map and found we were on the only page in Greater Manchester where Coppull meets Chorley. There was the Visitor Centre and the lane we had been advised to take to the main road where buses ran back to town.
We found the stop and stood at it. Another kind stranger told us that the bus company had been on strike for nearly four weeks. We thanked her and set off to walk into town. It was not as far as it looked - we could see a tall church spire - and as we are interested in townscapes there was plenty to see among the small shops, chippies and terraced houses.
We located the bus station (and free toilets) and it was time to go home.
I consoled myself in the following ways. We had a good circular walk (nearly 10 km) and a pleasant picnic. We saw parts of Chorley on foot that we would never have seen by car. Three complete strangers gave us accurate and helpful directions. We had plenty of food and water, and finally, and most importantly for me, despite my forebodings we were never off the map.
We still aim to visit the Paradise Gardens at Bridgewater, but will take a different route.
