Health Walk - Tuesday 26th April 2016

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

Another sunny morning but lots of cloud around.  Seventeen walkers - Carole, Colin C, Colin D, Elizabeth H, Elizabeth M, Frankie, Irene S, James, Lawrence, Maureen, Michael, Peter, Pat, Paul, Sandy, Suzie and Zandra.  

I, Michael, leading, outlined my plans for the walk - at some point along the river.  I outlined the extra dangers but no one seemed phased.  Peter, leading the short walk with Suzie, followed on.

Peter had been out in the Pinetum earlier and spotted the Heron on a log in the new pond.

We walked down to the Stone Bridge.  Here Peter and Sue walked along the Cycle Track to the Wooden Bridge and up into the Pinetum.  They walked round the Viewing Area and then detoured to the Great Crested Newt Pond - green route.

We carried on along the bottom of the Dam

Photo 1
and climbed up to the Lake.  Sandy spotted the Great Crested Grebes, two of them over by the island.  We walked round the Lake and climbed up into Dog Kennel Wood and Gravel Hole Wood.

Leaving Gravel Hole Wood we carried on and turned to walk alongside the river (River Lostock).

Eventually we came to first set of stepping stones and found two of them were still submerged.  

The next four photos were taken on 20th April on a reccy of the walk.

Photo 2                                                   Photo 3
The sand and gravel has built up on the far side due to the rain and floods raising the level of the river at this point.

We continued alongside the river to Town Brow and looked at the stepping stones below

Photo 4                                                  Photo 5
A similar phenomenon has occurred at the stepping stones near Town Brow Car Park

We walked back along the Cycle Track and crossed the Wooden Bridge

Photo 6                                                 Photo 7                                                 Photo 8
Climbing up Cardiac Hill to the Pinetum

Photo 9                                                  Photo 10

Photo 11                                                    Photo 12

Photo 13                                                 Photo 14
The straw walls are now complete and the volunteers are working on making and fitting the window frame surrounds

Back in the Barn we all enjoyed our refreshments.  

Today's walks

Michael Swarbrick