Health Walk - Thursday 1st December 2016
Photos by Michael & Graham - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had fifteen walkers - six were on a Leaders course!
A little warmer than of late
Michael was leading, Helen was pressured to be back marker and we didn't have a short walk - Peter away sorting out his caravan and Suzie was on the Leaders' course!
Michael explained that there would be no short walk but the main walk would have a cut off point, probably the Stone Bridge.
We set off towards the Cinder Path
We came out onto the Cycle Track and walked along to enter Cock Cabin Wood. We circled round the pond and leaving wood behind we dropped down into Walkers Wood.
As we approached the Stone Bridge it was only just after 1035 hours so Michael suggested that there was enough time to walk round the Lake. Mary had to be back for 1100 hours. David offered to walk back with her but Mary declined and Helen F, Carole and Linda D went them.
The remaining walkers crossed the bridge and climbed up to the Lake.
Graham spotted a white duck at the other side of the Lake but wasn't close enough to identify it.
We wandered round the Lake and entered the Field.
We avoided the steps, which are 'challenging' and climbed up the cow-path.
As we walked down to the Kissing Gate Graham ascertained from a man walking up the path that the duck was indeed a male Goosander which he had thought it could be.
As we left the Field Graham and Colin rushed off round the Lake to get a photograph:
Photo 1 - Graham
The rest of us, now only nine walked up into Dog Kennel Wood and crossed the WI Bridge into Gravel Hole Wood. Leaving Gravel Hole wood we crossed the Wooden Bridge and fought our way up Cardiac Hill
Photo 2
As we passed into the Pinetum I persuaded them to allow me to take a photo as up to now I hadn't got any. Sadly somewhere I had accidentally switched off the auto focussing and as you can see the photo is blurred.
Helen wanted to know where Bernadette Farrington's memorial plaque was. Michael said he would show her.
Photo 3
Part way up to the viewing Area, where the plaque is on the bird feeder tree, we realised the sun was shining. With a vivid imagination perhaps the clouds look like a gigantic bird soaring above the trees. The focus on the camera must have been just right for this photo.
We made it back to the Barn eventually
Today's walk - dotted line shows short cut opted for by some
Today's walkers - Ann, Bernadette, Colin C, Colin D, Carole, David, Graham, Helen F, Helen G, Jean, Linda D, Mary, Michael, Toby (Jean's dog) and Zandra.
In the afternoon I was privileged to be allowed to attend the afternoon session of the Leaders' Training Course.
James, Lawrence, John, Margaret and Suzie - Carmel fourth from the left - our apprentice leaders.
Assembling outside Astley Hall for the beginning of the training walk, strolling through the Park
This is Abi trying out a 'loop'. When the leading walkers are drawing away from the group the leader gets them to walk back round her/him and the back marker. Brings the group together and keeps everyone walking and warm in winter i.e. not standing about to wait for others to catch up.
and the debrief afterwards.
You may be pleased to note that I blew my whistle and got a wonderful reaction. Later in the classroom Abi pointed out how good whistles are to attract attention and promised to get some.
The Chorley Walks.
Michael Swarbrick
