Health Walk - Thursday 23rd May 2013

Please click on photos to see a larger one

We looked forward to a dry walk and so it turned out to be.  There were thirteen of us, gathered at the Barn, again with Michael the leader, who chose to do Walk 4, more or less a variation on our usual routes.

We all walked through the Pinetum but split up at the Cycle Track, Dedrah, Jacqueline and Sue heading off towards the Lake along the Cycle Track, blue route, the rest of us heading up into Gravel Hole Wood, green route.

Photo 1
In Gravel Hole Wood now

Photo 2                                         Photo 3                                  Photo 4                                 Photo 5
The trees/shrubs are blossoming

Photo 6
Peter and Barbara took a short cut, light blue, as we left Dog Kennel Wood, missing the climb into the field but joined us again at the Lakeside.  Photo 5 is on the dam, looking down.  Here we are descending from the Lake.  At the Stone Bridge we met Elizabeth, one of our group on Education Duty, leading a group of school children pond dipping.

Photo 7
Resting at the side of the pond, again Peter and Barbara taking a slightly shorter route, waiting for us at Cock Cabin Pond.

Photo 8      
I wonder if I should start putting a mystery photo in for interest, where is this?  Should be easy because it's in sequence with the others.       

Photo 9                                 Photo 10                              Photo 11
Three photos of the 'enemy', Rhododendrons. These beautiful exotic flowers cover the ground completely all around them and as the expand deprive all the native flora on sunlight killing them off.  These are on Cuerden Hall drive from Wigan Road, the lodge entrance was destroyed by the M6, it was opposite the gate on the Bamber Bridge side of the bridge, I remember it from years ago when it was taboo to approach.  I think Rhododendrons also encourage a tree killing disease - sad but some pioneer plantsman thought he was doing a service bringing them to these shores - we have several in our little garden.

Photo 12                                 Photo 13
Further along the drive.  It's difficult taking photos when one is leading but here one is confident that everyone can find their way 'home' so I don't mind lagging a little behind but still a little rushed.

Photo 14
Again we were privileged to use the classroom. This is a composite of two photos, Jacqueline and Helen are on both so don't be hard on them for what Photoshop and I have done.

Today's walks - blue is the short walk; green is the longer walk; pale blue the little shortcuts; red is the path we all trod.