Thursday 11 February 2010

Ribble Walk Monday 15th February - get your boots on!



We're organising another Ribble Walk as part of the Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walking Festival - yes, there's another RCW Walking Festival in early Spring now!

Details below, but in the meantime, take a look at these gorgeous pictures sent in by Pamela S of Preston . She took them down by the Ribble in Broadgate and Avenham and Miller Parks, and they are really beautiful...



...and the cold weather seems set to continue on, even though the snow and ice has at least receded, this Winter seems as though it's going on forever.



Such a hard Winter makes life harder for our native birds and the overwintering wading birds, but having the precious mudflates of the Ribble literally makes the difference between life and death for those long-distance travellers, and if you walk down by the Ribble even at the highest stretches of the tidal range at the Old Tram Bridge connecting Avenham Park and "Ribbleside" you can hear the echoing cry of the Redshank carrying across the water...



...so why not join us on our next Ribble Walk, on Monday 15th February, as part of the Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walking Festival.
We'll be starting at 10.30 am at Penwortham Old Bridge - the cobbled bridge linking Broadgate with Penwortham - and walking downriver on the South Ribble bank as far as the pumping station turn-off for Longton and back again. We won't be going all the way to the Dolphin unless allcomers would like to!

It's a good 8 miles altogether (12 if we include the Dolphin Inn - although there's always the option of a bus back to Preston from Longton!), so come prepared in stout boots and with warm clothing and a packed lunch, and for more details of other Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walks during half term week, see the Save The Ribble Blog.



Happy Ribbling!

Contact us at savetheribble@tiscali.co.uk

Saturday 9 January 2010

Ribble Ice

Thanks to Chris of Broadgate for the following pictures of the River Ribble taken this week - it might cause disruption to normal life but WOW the River Ribble is looking spectacular in the Big Freeze!!





















Jane of Middleforth took these next ones...









...and these at New Year, before it got really cold...









More picture of the frozen Ribble and Ribbleside areas can be seen on the Save The Ribble blog - check them out, and Happy Ribbling!!

Sunday 11 October 2009

Get Out Ribbling with The Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walking Festival!


It's The Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walking Festival at half term - so get your boots on and get Ribbling this Autumn!

Key events for Ribblesiders in South Ribble and Preston include:

The Save The Ribble Ribble Ramble on Sunday 25th October, leaving the Old Tram Bridge at 10am and walking upriver to Brockholes Wetland & Woodland and back again;

and:

The new Ribbleside Friends Group's FIRST event - a Ribblesiders' Ramble on the new Country Park in Penwortham and Walton le Dale on Sunday 1st November, leaving the Old Tram Bridge at 1pm for a Ramble on Ribbleside!


So whether you fancy a Ramble on Ribbleside...


... a gentle amble along the River Ribble in Preston and Penwortham...


...or a walk in the Walton le Dale area...


....upriver as far as Brockholes Wetland & Woodland...


...or whether the wilds of the open River and Estuary is more your thing...

...then check out The Ribble Coast & Wetlands website for more details, and see the Save The Ribble Blog and get Ribbling!

Tuesday 28 April 2009

River Ribble in Spring - ah, glorious!



A glorious view upriver on the River Ribble on a late April afternoon from the Old Tram Bridge, which links Avenham & Miller Parks in Preston with the Ribbleside Country Park in Penwortham...
... it's low tide and there has been little rainfall in the Ribble valley so far this spring, so the riverbed is easily seen through the crystal-clear waters...




The riverbanks which frame the River Ribble are wild and verdant with new grasses, spring wildflowers and blossoms, and the fresh green shoots of many of our riverside trees from willows to hawthorn to cherry to Horse Chestnuts have appeared as if overnight...



Walking, cycling, running or just plain ambling, Ribblesiders are out enjoying the peace and fresh air and the always uplifting sounds of the many birds in the trees, riverbanks and scrublands all along the Ribble...



... on both the Preston and South Ribble banks...



...and all this only 5 minutes walk from the centre of Preston.



If you fancy a leisurely stroll alongside the Ribble's spring waters, taking in the beauties of bluebells and birdsong, woodlands and meadows, then join Ribblesiders for a Spring Bluebell & Birdsong walk on Monday 4th May, setting off from the Tram Bridge at 2pm...



...for more details about the Bluebells & Birdsong walk, see the Save The Ribble blog.

You can contact us at savetheribble@tiscali.co.uk

Sunday 21 September 2008

First Day of Autumn on the River Ribble



It's the first day of autumn and already the chestnut leaves are turning gold and red, and looking truly gorgeous along the banks of the River Ribble...



... and not only has it finally stopped raining - now summer is officially over...



...we have some lovely sunshine! Better late than never, the summer weather has been awful for the second year running, but luckily for Ribblesiders the River Ribble takes all that rainwater safely out to sea.

The sun has timed itself well as it's harvest time on the new Country Park in Penwortham...



...and it's so beautiful down by the River in the autumn sunshine, and now the rain has stopped at last we can get out and enjoy it without having to drag on wellies and raincoats and huddle under umbrellas...



...although the Ribble always looks beautiful whatever the weather, its waters changing colour with the sky and the turning of the tide and the speed of the water's flow and the amount of silts it is carrying. Happy Autumn Ribbling!

you can contact us at ribblecyclediaries@tiscali.co.uk

Tuesday 2 September 2008

New Wildlife Walks and Talks on the Ribble!



This Wednesday 3rd September there is a Herbal Health Walk starting in Avenham Park, by the new Pavilion next to the River Ribble at 2pm.

"two lovely herbalists will be leading a walk to enjoy the fresh air and scenery and to look at some of the herbs that grow wild in the Avenham Park area and surrounding countryside".

Also, the Preston Birdwatching and Natural History Society have announced their new season of talks - many of which involve our Ribble wildlife!!

Check out their website for further details, and see Save The Ribble for the Ribble Wildlife talk listing in more detail!

You can contact us at ribblecyclediaries@tiscali.co.uk

Tuesday 15 July 2008

Ribbleside Wildlife Walk with Preston Birdwatching & Natural History Society


Calling all Ribblesiders - come and join the Preston Birdwatching & Natural History Society for a wildlife walk on Ribbleside...

The wildlife walk takes place on Monday 21st July and is an evening amble, so the perfect way to end your working day!

They will be leaving the Tram Bridge at 7pm, and then probably wandering through the trees to Vernon's Lodge area, part of the area that will constitute the new South Ribble Country Park.

The Preston Birdwatching & Natural History Society have a number of wildlife experts so they will be able to point out fascinating Ribbleside wildlife along the way.

- And it's free! They expect to be back by the River Ribble by 9.15pm at the latest, but anybody who needed an earlier finish could easily make their own way.

They leave promptly at 7pm, but probably wouldn't take a lot of finding - as they say they don't walk very fast!

Happy Ribbling!

You can contact us at ribblecyclediaries@tiscali.co.uk