Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 16th May, 2012)

Nice country scene. Lots of lamb chops there.

Now that's what I call typical English countryside. Well done Margaret.

Hi Margaret, what time of day and how near to Parbold Bottle?
Anyone know were you can buy mutton and is it cheaper than lamb?

that could just be outside my house in new zealand especially the sheep!!

We dont realize how soon you can be in the countryside from the heart of Wigan.

The Douglas Valley Wigans best view

A great pastoral scene Margaret, you are lucky to live with such surroundings..other folk are not as blessed.

Great view, nice photo. This will be about 200 yards or so past the Parbold bottle Ernest. The 'bottle' was built to commemorate the Reform Act of 1832, the act was made to change the electoral system of England and Wales which included increasing the number of people allowed to vote.

The L and L canal, the River Douglas and the Wigan/Southport railway line are all in the valley very close together at the bottom, but unseen because of the trees etc. Also that is the Billinge Hill monument on the top right of the photo.

Well done, Margaret.

Beautiful scene. More like this please.

Ernest, this was taken on the 3rd May '12 at approx 7.30 pm. I was standing on the very narrow pavement directly opposite the church. I don't know where Parbold Bottle is unfortunately but we always used to look out for it as children going to Southport on the train.

Margaret, from the top of the hill proceed to walk down on the left hand pavement, after a 100 yards or so there is a gate on your left, go through the gate and follow the path and you will come to the 'bottle' about 50 yards or so from the gate.

Comment by Roy on 16th May Also that is the Billinge Hill monument on the top right of the photo.

Roy its not Billinge hill lump its more like Dalton Church.

I am visiting my daughter in the Lakes today,and I won't see any more beautiful than this scene. We are fortunate indeed to live in Wigan, with such country side so close and in every direction,and in the midst of our town Haigh Plantations and other beauty spots scattered throughout the borough.

Christ Church Douglas-in-Parbold. Beautiful Margaret, my parents married there in 1947, some of my relatives are laid to rest there, and I spend time there. Lovely place Parbold and Ashurst's Beacon, nice place to be on a sunny day.

Mick, your absoutely correct it is St Michaels Dalton, i,ll put that one down to age!! I,ve just come over Parbold and from where Margaret took the photo you can see the top of Ashurst Beacon amongst the trees but you cant pick it out on the photo. Brilliant views from the top today, the Lakes, both Liverpool Cathedrals and the radio tower, Mount Snowdon and the Welsh hills.
Margaret there are two gates about 10 yards apart it,s the second one to the bottle 'The Millennium Path' as it,s called.

Commuted by train to Manchester all my working life; you only get to see any proper countryside when you reach the Southport side of Wigan.

Frank Healy, There are great views of Rivington Pike and Winter Hill also lots of fields including one with highland cattle and another with a flock?of goats in. This is on the train to Manchester via Bolton, presumably you travelled via Atherton.
Thanks Roy and Margaret. When Margaret said it was opposite the church, I knew how far away was the bottle. Yes, Roy it was very clear today with the cool wind. Mountains in Wales and Black Combe behind Barrow were visible from Chorley Golf Course. Parbold Bottle is one of the sites all over England were bonfires are lit on special occasions accompanied by fireworks.
Nobody has said where I can get mutton! not surprisingly.

Hello Ernest
I have just listened to The Village Schoolmaster on youtube.
yes , right up my street!!! Thank you for that. Did not realise that it was by Oliver Goldsmith. Will have to save it and also look it up in my poetry books. Kind Regards
tricia x

For the six mile walk between Ashurst Beacon and Parbold Bottle refer :-
http://jimjarratt.co.uk/follies/page43.html

Thanks tricia. Have you seen philra comment on yesterday`s photo asking you whereabouts you live?

Ernest,

Instead of mutton, try 'Hogget' the name given to 2 year old sheep. Tastes beautiful and we can get it from our local butcher in the Scottish Borders. Maybe some of the butchers in Wigan will know how to get it, but I don't think you'll find it in any supermarket.