Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025)

Gone are the days of the corner shop. I assume he’s been to Tesco’s…
Another hairy - scary and dramatic photo. Where were you hiding Dennis - in the bushes? I wouldn’t want to walk through the woods these days on my own.

A nice photo of sunlight and shade, with a cool, "end-of-Summer" feel to it. It reminds me of Neil Diamond's song "September Morn". Lovely, Dennis.

It’s almost like a dramatic stage set with the character accentuate in a pool of natural light.
Slightly menacing for dramatic effect but certainly safe Veronica.

Another good one Dennis, reminds me of a place with a bridge very like this one....I'll remember the place name as soon as I turn this thing off !

Dennis, I’ve decided what is missing from your photo.
You could have taken Veronica or Irene with dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood!
I can visualise either of them now skipping over the bridge with a wicker basket in that pool of light to visit Grandma.

Veronica, I’m standing in the middle of the drive! Why would I be hiding in the bushes?

It looks menacing Dennis.
( Dennis the Menace).
Only joking but I still wouldn’t like to walk on my own through the woods. I’ve been away too long. Yet where I live now I very often walk through Hall Lee Bank.(.Gifted to Westhoughton by the Hultons. A lovely area but no Hall ….at the highest point in the fields you can see across to Leigh and beyond.

Veronica, I think you’ll find Dennis behind the camera unless he has the ability to be in two places at the same time!

Nice shot Dennis

It’s one of those photos Veronica. If you expose for the dark areas the light area will be over exposed and if you expose for the light area the dark area will be under exposed.
Yer pays yer money and yer takes yer pic!

Dennis if that’s the bridge I’ve crossed many times whichever direction you walk or ride from the bridge it’s uphill and maybe 100 yards or so from the main gates facing Wigan Infirmary,have those new gates been fitted yet as not been around there for a month as busy with hospital and doctor appointments?

Colin, I am the proud owner of no less than five baskets, due to people giving them to me for the 1940s events. I always carry a wicker basket as they are so much better for carrying bread, pies and cakes than a carrier bag, and a few years ago I DID have a red coat with a hood; unfortunately I look more like Grandmama than Red Riding Hood!

It is that bridge John and no they haven’t finished working on the gates yet.

I won’t spoil the photo by arguing where Dennis is stood I KNOW he’s behind a camera obviously.

It was Barnard Castle Dennis !
You crossed the river by a bridge similar to the one in your photo & walked up a track into the town...very attractive market town.

Veronica its barely 2 miles from Haigh Hall to the Plantation Gates on Wigan Lane and almost all downhill,if the sun is shining you would not be alone as Haigh Hall must be the most visited and popular place in Wigan (Haigh really) even the overflow car park is very often full at weekends in nice weather.

Great pic Dennis.Just back from Haigh Hall today, was very busy, obviously an inset day.Hall Lee Bank is lovely Veronica.

A mere stretch o’the legs when I were a nipper John and as a teenager! I’ve got soft in my later years although I do like walking where I live ….theres some grand walks around here as you know I’m sure. Haigh Hall is off the beaten track now that I don’t drive.

Anybody know the name of the river that flows under that bridge.

Irene, pies, bread and cakes, can we meet up someday, sounds tempting.
John, I occasionally get off the bus at the Plantation Gates, walk down across the bridge and over the Yellow Brook and down by the Dougie into Wigan and get the bus back from Crompton Street.
As you can guess, down hill or flat more preferable. Makes me sound old and decrepit which I’m not, it’s question of knowing your limitations and not pushing it.
Cannot believe I used to run 8 miles a day, but who cares as long as I wake up every morning, still have pulse and enjoy life.

John, a woman just wouldn't feel safe, believe me, walking those two miles alone. She would feel safer with a dog, or even with a child, as she would be less likely to feel that she might be be attacked. I used to go for walks through a wood in Abram with our late labradors, and sometimes with my daughter, who was only a young girl at the time, but that extra person by your side makes all the difference if you sense that someone is behind you. I wouldn't walk through that wood alone now. I would only walk through the plantations alone if I could follow a family who were walking to Haigh Hall.....not to be near them but just to keep them in view....it makes all the difference.

There’s a ‘blurry’photo of me on top of a bridge down by the Duggy to prove I did do a lot of walking as a teenager and in high heels!. 29988. Mind you I don’t think I would trust my self these days perched on the bridge bars.

Hopefully, when the gates are finished and they get the bus running through the plantations, they will provide a regular, reliable service to the Hall.

Thanks Dennis….Mick Dennis explains which river flows underneath,Veronica and Irene I can certainly see your safety issues and Colin that’s my favourite mode downhill walking, I can manage Rivington Pike but I’ve got to make several stops to catch my breath and knowing it’s all downhill once you’ve reached the pike.