Health Walk - Tuesday 20th September 2016
Photos by Michael - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Twenty-four walkers today - Brian, Carmel, Carol, Carole, Elaine, Elizabeth H, Elizabeth M, Frankie, Graham, Irene S, James, John W, Karin, Lawrence, Linda E, Margaret W, Michael, Muriel, Pat, Paul, Rachael, Sandy, Suzie and Sylvia plus Rachael's dog.
It was Elaine, Karin and Rachael's first walk with us.
Another lovely morning for walking. Just a little nip in the air.
Michael was busy getting paperwork sorted but James pointed out that we should be starting and as a result 'volunteered' to lead.
He decided to take up Michael's suggestion of reversing his previous walk into the south or Chorley side as James Described it, of the Park.
James' apparent confidence has dented Frankie's confidence a little, both Apprentice Leaders until the training course on 1st December.
Lawrence was back marker to the main walk and Suzie was leading the short walk. James strolled on down Snake Hill towards the Stone Bridge.
Photo 1 Photo 2
Suzie, rejecting the suggestion of the Cinder Path, not one to be influenced, led the short walkers into the Pinetum, up round the viewing area and down to the Wooden Bridge.
Michael, getting lumbered with taking the box and book back to the office, lost sight of the main group but, after consulting with Suzie above, Photo2, hot footed it down to the Stone Bridge passing Rachael and her dog on the way without recognizing her.
Michael saw the main group in the distance but was puzzled to see Lawrence waiting on the Stone Bridge. He was waiting for Rachael who was trailing well behind. (Michael hadn't recognized her!) Rachael was concerned for her little dog and he didn't seem able to keep up so Lawrence stayed with her and they walked along the bottom, over the Wooden Bridge and back up to Barn via the Pinetum.
Michael caught up with the main group a the gate leading out of the Field, somewhat out of breath, and appointed Frankie Back Marker, her first responsibility as an apprentice leader.
We marched on to past the Ponderosa into Cam Lane. We crossed Sheep Hill Lane into Old Sheep Hill Lane and turned into Wood End Lane.
We reached Back Lane and here several walkers decided to leave the main walk and start back down Back Lane
Photo 3
Frankie leading them down Back Lane. Michael accompanied them to give Frankie Confidence, it was her first real responsibility.
Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6
Convolvulus and a Bee on the way down the hill.
Frankie led us across the main road into the central section of the Park at Town Brow car park and along the cycle track.
As we neared the Covert Pond Frankie turned left took us along her favourite walk along the river. We emerged back on to the Cycle Track leaving it to cross the Wooden Bridge and struggle up to the Pinetum. He we turned sharp right and climbed up to view the new building. Unfortunately the door was shut and they were trying to load a pallet of plywood so we walked along the services trench, now filled in, and came out into the main car park.
The main group had continued into the south side and dropping down, crossing the footbridge over the river turned back along the Cycle Track. Crossing the main road they kept to the Cycle Track (National Cycle Route 55) all the way to the Wooden Bridge where they returned to the Barn via the Pinetum.
The Short Walkers walked along the bottom towards the Stone Bridge but turned up the slope to the Lake at the Boathouse.
Photo 7
Karin spotted these snails as they turned to walk round the Lake.
They walked round the Lake, down the long steps on to the Picnic Area, along the bottom of the Dam and then crossed the Stone Bridge walking up Snake Hill back to the Barn.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the walks. Sadly Rachael won't be coming again because her dog is old and not very well and she doesn't want to leave it and it can't keep up.
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Today's Walks
Red - main walk
Green - short walk
Amber - very short walk
Blue shortened walk
Michael Swarbrick
