Health Walk - Tuesday 12th April 2016

Photos by Michael & Sandy - Please click on photos to see a larger one

A miserable November-like misty morning with fine drizzle.  Nineteen walkers - Alan, Carmel, Carol, Colin C, Elizabeth H, Elizabeth M, Frankie, Irene S, Irene T, James, Lawrence, Maureen, Michael, Peter, Pat, Paul, Sandy, Suzie and Zandra.  

It was Colin C, and Zandra's first walk with us. 

I, Michael, leading, outlined my plans for the walks.  Hoping to find a dry walk underfoot we set off towards the Stone Bridge.

We all crossed the Stone Bridge.  At the foot of the Dam Peter led the short walkers up the slope, back along the southern edge of the Lake, down the short steps, along the river to the Wooden Bridge, up Cardiac Hill into the Pinetum and back to the Barn - green route and arrows.

The rest of us carried on along the bottom of the Dam - this was the wettest part of our walk, the rest of the walk was OK, as anticipated when choosing the route.

We climbed the steps up to the Lake, walked round the Lake and up into the Field.

We walked along the Field to Hawks Clough turning up to the Ponderosa and along Cam Lane to Sheephill.  James and Carmel leading now descended Sheephill and entered the Park again at Town Brow.

Photo 1                                                 Photo 2   
Walking along the Cycle Track towards the Wooden Bridge - you can just make James and Carmel in the distance.

Photo 3                                                 Photo 4                                                 Photo 5
Walking up Cardiac Hill to the Pinetum with misty views of the new visitors centre.

The new building is looking magnificent and blends into its surroundings.  Compare it with The Ponderosa (The hacienda type building at the end of Cam Lane on the site of the Gamekeeper's Cottage) which we walked past earlier and can be seen from Dog Kennel Wood.

Back in the Barn we all enjoyed our refreshments.  It was pleasing to note that the new walkers had enjoyed their morning with us and will be coming again.

Today's walks

Michael Swarbrick