As I walked gingerly along the icy lane the gentleman coming the other way greeted me with “gan canny“, not an expression often heard in Lancashire. He was just as surprised when I responded automatically with “wye aye man“. Two northeasterners meeting on a frosty day, both walking like penguins on the ice.
I was out for a walk from home, not wanting to drive unnecessarily on the frozen roads even though some of the snow has melted. I chose to do another circuit of my ‘Around Longridge Walk’. Friends have asked for a detailed description so I was tying up loose ends for the definitive. Let me know if you want a copy. As I’ve mentioned before, the walk has metamorphized into a longer circuit to keep it as rural rural as possible whilst avoiding the new housing developments. This worked well today as the fields were safer to walk on than the icy pavements and lanes. An added bonus at this time of year is that the cattle are safely tucked up in their barns and that the boggy sections are frozen over, well almost. 
I didn’t get going till lunchtime and by the time I was finishing the seven and a half mile (12k) circuit the sun was setting. Home to a hot bath and a mince pie with a glass of Laphroaig, left over from Christmas. Hopefully that is the end of the seasonal excesses. 
Whilst on the subject of icy roads, two conversations this week with lady workers in one of our local supermarkets had me thinking. They both were worrying about their evening journey home by car. The roads had been like ice rinks in the early morning and they had seen several minor bumps whilst driving in. Yet they both lived within a mile of work and had probably not even thought of walking there instead of using the car. How many others are doing the same, all those children driven a short distance to school every day. Never mind the dicey roads at this time of year what about a change of thought on car usage for short distances for the rest of the year. Our roads are clogged and our children are becoming obese. Or am I too late to the party to even suggest this? The environment and healthy living seem to bypass most of the population.
There were several examples on the dangers of winter driving along my way.
A notorious local bend.
Oh! and just to lighten the mood a distant photo of an icy Pendle, one of the many sights to be seen around Longridge. 
Gan canny.
Gan Canny sounds like a good greeting. 🙂
The icy pavements are a nightmare at the moment. I don’t drive but just walking 5 mins to work was like dicing with death. Only on a day like today though.
Gales and rain next week – you cannot win.
🙃
Good to hear the Geordie language put to good use! 😉
Strangers on the ice..
Gan Canny. I like that. A long time since I tasted Laphroaig, a fine Uisge beatha. Good day to be out but, yes, those pavements and back-roads are lethal.
Uisge beatha indeed. I’ll have to wait till next Christmas for another bottle.
Worth the wait though!
Pendle looks magnificent! I remember many years ago when then was still a sliver of snow in the ‘Nick’ in June that year. I guess ‘Gan canny’ means ‘Go carefully’ ?
You guessed it right, Helen.
One of the gulley’s on the northern side of Pendle used to hold the snow late into Spring and take on the appearance of a witch.
A great photo of a snowy Pendle. A few minutes walk down the road from me is a small enclave of ‘assisted living’ bungalows with ‘Gang Warily’ welded into the fence – I guess it means the same thing as your ‘Gan Canny’. My local avenues are like ice rinks just now so my van is staying put until it all clears – fortunately my morning work commute is only 100 yards along the street.
You are lucky to live close to work. There is not much fun in driving on the roads, especially at rush hour.
I’ve often thought the same. Especially, people who drive two or three miles to the gym to do two or three miles on the walking or running machine!
Gan canny.
Weren’t you originaly from the North East George?
Not originally but I lived in Newcastle and Gateshead for thirteen years and regularly revisit. Still lots of friends there.
Friendly place Newcastle, as is Cumbria and my part of Lancashire.
Absolutely!
Hway the lads!