Health Walk - Tuesday 21st November 2017
Photos by Michael S - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had forty-six walkers who were rewarded with a pleasant walk, overcast but the mud and puddles were uplifting.
Lawrence was leading the main walk with Frankie back marking. Suzi led the Elite group with Pat back marking.
Lawrence did his introductions, including new walker Peter We, and led us off round the side of the Barn and down Sue Ryder's Drive.
Suzi led the Elite walkers into the Pinetum
The main group turned down the Cinder Path coming out on to the Cycle Track and walking towards Cock Cabin Wood. We walked round the Pond and came back out on the Cycle Track walking down Bikers Hill to the Stone Bridge avoiding the puddle on the direct route as we reached the bottom of Bikers Hill.
We crossed the Stone Bridge, walked round the Picnic Area and along the bottom of the Dam and up to the Lake. Lawrence took us right round the Lake and through the Kissing Gate, up the steps, pausing at the top, until we'd all made the climb, then down to the other Kissing gate and up into Dog Kennel Wood.
Leaving Dog Kennel Wood we entered Gravel Hole Wood, walking down the the Cycle Track and over the Wooden Bridge. Here Michael realised that he hadn't taken any photos so
Photo 1
back marker Frankie and Irene S posed for him, he only had his mobile, it had promised to be too wet and dull for the proper camera.
We walked up Cardiac Hill into the Pinetum and back to the Barn
Suzi led the Elite walkers up to the Viewing Area and down Cardiac Hill, over the Wooden Bridge and along the Cycle Track to the short steps and up them to the Lake, along the top of the Dam, down the long steps along the bottom of the Dam and back over the Stone Bridge, up Snake Hill but not back to the Barn. As they almost reached the Barn they turned up towards the Hall and walked round the sunny side of the Hall round east the side, along the front and back down the side of Sue Ryder's Stable Block to the Barn.
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Today's walks (Red Main Group, Green Short Walk Option Group).
Where there are green arrows on the red route it means the Elite walkers had followed the main >> or the main group had followed the Elite walkers >>.
A comment from Keith on Facebook: Despite persistent rain all evening and overnight on Monday, that was still falling at daybreak on Tuesday, an uncannily fortunate window of dryness opened up just for the walkers, because no sooner had we headed off for home when the rain resumed and practically fell for the rest of the day. "Phew". Lawrence and Frankie lead a remarkably good turnout on thoroughly rewarding walk through the park that always pleases and delights - regardless of the conditions, and somehow managed to avoid everyone taking a mud bath. There's still a lot of seasonal colour to enjoy in the park, but it's certainly beginning to adopt that wonderful atmosphere of 'nature in repose' which, for me personally, is a uniquely precious experience. It makes springtime all the more exciting & dramatic! Getting together again with so many warm-hearted kindred spirits is always the most most important ingredient in any health walk mix, and Tuesday's walk was yet another heavenly confection. Many thanks everyone.
Today's walkers
Main Walk - Ann F, Anne K, Barbara, Barry, Bernadette, Brian C, Carol L, Carmel, Christine S, Clare, Colin D, David L, Dee, Elizabeth M, Fiona, Frankie, Graham, Irene S, James Mc, Janet, John McN, John W, Judy, Keith, Margaret W, Marilyn, Michael G, Michael M, Michael S, Roseanne, Sheila T, Sylvia & Yvonne
Short Walk Group - Ann S, Carol R, Irene S, Irene T, Jennifer, Norman R, Pam, Pat, Peter W, Peter We, Rene, Suzi & a Nameless Visitor plus Candy, Pam's dog
It was Peter We's first walk with us.
Compiled by Michael Swarbrick
Cinder Path Cuerden Hall Hawksclough Farmhouse
The Chorley Walks.
