Health Walk - Tuesday 2nd January 2018
Photos by Michael S - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had eighteen twalkers who were rewarded with a wet and windy walk at times strong, see Photo 6.
Michael led the main walk with Lawrence back marking. Pat led the Elite group with Colin back marking and Pat and Brian L led them a merry dance!.
As it was raining Michael did his introductory talk in the classroom and they left, with umbrellas up, into the Car Park.
Leaving the Car Park to go into the Pinetum down the side of the New Building and down Cardiac Hill, crossing the Wooden Bridge and turning left to walk along the river.
We walked up the slope to the Lake and round the east side of the Lake
Photo 1
The Heron again on view but the tree trunk and leaves fooled the autofocus and you can't make out the Heron.
Photo 2 Photo 3
Michael got everyone to pose
Photo 4 Photo 5
Wow who are these walkers struggling up the path - our Elite group
Photo 6
This was the most uncomfortable part of Michael's walk!
We turned to meet the Elite walkers and carried on down to the Kissing Gate.
Michael looked back and the Elite walkers were carrying on to Hawkes Clough! Where where could they possibly going?
The main group walked round the Lake along the Dam and down the Long Steps to walk along the bottom of the Dam, round the Picnic Area, across the Stone Bridge and up into Walkers Wood then along into Cock Cabin Wood.
Leaving Cock Cabin Pond Michael took them on a short cut back to the Cycle Track and down Bikers Hill to walk up Snake Hill, round the sunny side of the Hall, ha ha, and back to the Barn.
Where were the short option, Elite, walkers? They are usually back before the main group and have everything ready for us.
They had embarked on a massive walk to Hawkes Clough along Cam Lane, past the Ponderosa and down Sheep Hill Lane to walk along the Cycle track back over the Stone Bridge and returned up Snake Hill back to the Barn
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 >>.
Keith's eloquence on Facebook:
"Despite some very squally conditions today, they weren't quite as apocalyptic as the forecasters were predicting, but the turnout was no less admirable, and all the more impressive given how many had been on the New Years Day walk too - hats off to those. Michael very thoughtfully guided everyone on a well considered route today, limiting the use of stepways, avoiding the well known boggy areas, and keeping us on terra firma thanks to his intimate knowledge of the park. You had to hold onto your hats in some of the more exposed areas though. Unsurprisingly, the park was very quiet today, but whilst farmers has their flocks and herds safely tucked away, and on a day when even the ducks on the lake were keeping a low profile, the one guaranteed sight to see on any Tuesday & Thursday morning is a group of indomitable and inspiring souls enjoying the fresh air, the exercise, nature and most importantly each other's company. There was a wonderful spirit amongst the group as everyone shared their experiences over the Christmas and New Year period, and back at The Barn that was given free 'rein' (pardon the pun) as we savoured our hot brews and replaced all those lost calories. I don't know what new years' resolution the Elite Group have made collectively, but they braved the conditions for considerably longer than the 'so called' longer walkers today, so much so we were looking for a St. Bernard at one point! But it was good to see them eventually arrive with beaming smiles, having the bragging rights over everyone else, and cementing a perfect start to 2018's walks in the ceaselessly rewarding Cuerden Valley Park. Many thanks for everyone's delightful company today. Roll on Thursday!"
Today's walkers
Main Walk - Brenda C, Brian C, Carmel, Elizabeth M, Geoff W, James Mc, Joe H, Joyce, Keith, Lawrence, Linda E, Sheila T, Vic & Yvonne
Short Walk Group - Brian L, Colin C, Pat, Peter & Suzi
Compiled by Michael Swarbrick
Cinder Path Cuerden Hall Hawksclough Farmhouse Cam Lane
The Chorley Walks.
