The area is known as Westport lake and is a reclaimed area of industrial wasteland and still sits in the centre of what used to be a large Pottery producing area and although it has lost a lot of the old industry it is very derelict in many parts with old decaying factory buildings turned over to other uses. There is now quite a lot of urban development going on with new industries and housing springing up around the old canal artery that used to be a focal point for transport in the old Pottery industries of yesteryear.
The lake is about 1 mile in circumference and a little on the short side for our average stroll so we did a circuit, then deviated down the canal tow path towards the old town centre, returned and then did a return lap around the lake again. LLL was telling us about her Swans returning so I was keeping a weather eye out for them as we walked along as in the Spring this lake will host several pairs. I was rewarded by a single Swan probably a young female who had the lake to herself if we discount the dozens of Coot’s, Geese and the ubiquitous Canada Geese that squawk loudly as you pass by. Annie has developed a total disinterest in them and much prefers to chase off the pigeons as they strut about on the path.
My solitary Swan
People often leave food for the birds and I have come to know the places to look out for them, this little Robin was tempted by a crushed up dog biscuit.
My best find of the day was this really good looking Mistle Thrush, a bird I rarely ever see nowadays. I used to see lots many years ago, but I cannot remember the last time I actually spotted one, so this made my day even though it was hard to get close enough for a decent shot with my little Nikon pocket camera. He was hardly visible on the ground, but kindly posed for me in nearby tree.
The trees are still bare, but at long last there are a few signs of Spring approaching, these Catkins in the hedgerows, dangling on the bare and leafless branches are a sure sign it is on its way.
The day was very sunny and the air was quite still, the smoke from a wood burning stove drifted upwards as we passed this canal barge where the lady who lived in it had put a couple of throws outside to take advantage of a good drying day.
As LLL has been doing her pottery classes I thought I would remind her of what a proper pottery ‘bottle’ kiln looked like back in the days when these kilns would be as common a sight as a chimneys on a roof and every manufacturer from Royal Doulton, Spode, Beswick, Wedgewood etc. would have fired their ware in these type of kilns.
Very few are now left and the pall of smoke from the coal they would burn would have blanketed the local towns. Now they lie derelict and the air is once more clean, modern electric/gas fired kilns have long since taken over. A very few, I would say less than half a dozen now remain and are usually covered by an Industrial Heritage preservation order and this is one of them. However I am appalled at how neglected the kiln now is, shrubs growing out of the intricate brickwork that will soon send their roots into the joints and cause damage, not to mention the dilapidated state of the surrounding buildings with black polythene bags covering broken windows and skips full of rubbish from local small businesses littering the yard.
Now I know that all these things cost money, but surely we have a responsibility to our Grand kids to preserve and take proper care of our heritage, to see such neglect took all the joy out of spotting that Mistle Thrush.
you can build up a scrap book for your pottery class 
it is a shame to see all these buildings fall apart, I do like your swan photo, if sharper it would make a nice canvas 
but we found one little spot where she waded in