Health Walk - Tuesday 26th July 2016

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

Twenty-two walkers today - Colin C, Colin D, Elizabeth H, Frankie, Irene T, James, Jennifer, John T, John W, Lawrence, Linda E, Margaret R, Margaret W, Matthew, Michael, Muriel, Pat, Suzie, Sylvia, Tammy, Walter and Zandra.  

It was John T, Matthew and Tammy's first walk with us.

Michael was leading the Main Group.  He laid down the route and after a while James took over the lead - his first practice as an Apprentice Leader.  Lawrence was Back Marker for the main walk.   Suzie lead the short walk with John T, they kept on the top around the Pinetum viewing Area and sunny side of the Hall, and took their time - green route.

It was not as warm as lately and overcast with rain showers promised, we actually felt a few drops at times.

We set off past the new visitors centre.

We crossed the Stone Bridge, walked across the Picnic Area and climbed up to the Lake.  We walked round the Lake and climbed up into the Field.

Lawrence as Back Marker deemed it wise to walk up the slope to the corner of the Lake with Matthew, Pat & Tammy, the Boat House, from the Stone Bridge.  Tammy was falling behind.  Matthew and Pat stayed with Lawrence.

Photo 1  
As we climbed up the steps into the Field Lawrence, after consultating with Michael, James was now leading, decided to walk back along the Cycle Track and over the Wooden Bridge, it was proving that the walk was too challenging for Tammy.  Right at the start Michael had alarmed Tammy by blowing his whistle for the walkers attention!  You can just see them disappearing back to the Lake.

Michael's voice is not commanding hence the whistle.

Photo 2                                                 Photo 3 
Michael was now Back Marker and the walkers were disappearing ahead.

Photo 4
This abandoned push chair (buggy nowadays) was on the path up from Hawks Clough to the Ponderosa.  Must have watched too much television - was imagining bodies in the undergrowth.  It is unusual to see an abandoned push chair.

We walked up past the Ponderosa and dropped down into Green Wood then up again along the top, down the steps and across the footbridge

Photo 5
Here you are all waiting for the 'Back Marker' before proceeding back to Hawks Clough.  Back in the Field again and down to the entrance to Dog Kennel Wood

Photo 6                                                 Photo 7 
were you are all waiting for me again.

Photo 8
Well into Dog Kennel Wood before crossing the Women's Institute bridge into Gravel Hole Wood

Photo 9
We've left the wood and crossed the Wooden Bridge and are now approaching Cardiac Hill

Photo 10                                                 Photo 11
the new visitors centre looming on the left

Back to the Barn where I got you all to fill in your forms.  Thank you very much.  The forms are necessary to comply with the Ramblers Association requirements for national health walks.  Once on the Ramblers' database they will all be destroyed.

Today's walks

Red is the main Walk
Green the shorter Walk
Blue is shortcut Lawrence led

Michael Swarbrick