Health Walk - Tuesday 30th January 2018
Photos by Michael S & Carol W - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had twenty-four twalkers
James Mc led the main walk with Elizabeth M back marking. Pat R led the Elite group with Colin C back marking.
Photo 1
The Elite walkers gathering outside the Barn
Photo 2
The Main Group already on their way
Keith Billington writes:
Another Tuesday and another wonderful walk on one of those "feels good to be alive" mornings. I shudder to think what kind of apocalyptic weather conditions it would take to detract from my pleasure at being in the park, but on a crisp winter's morning like today's, under a clear blue sky, with the sun shining and barely a breeze, at this time of the year it simply doesn't get any better. It was therefore no surprise to see the car park full and The Barn overflowing with eager walkers raring to go. James briefed his flock, and with Elizabeth back marking we proceeded to follow the route James took the previous Tuesday, only in reverse today which, as always, is a completely different experience and offers an entirely different perspective of the park. So it was a descent down a still frosty but recently tidied-up Cardiac Hill, bearing right to follow the river along the tow path,
Photo 3
Carol captured the Heron poise lifeless at the edge of the Covert Pond
until we reached Sheep Hill Lane. That coincided with playtime at the Clayton-le-Woods Primary School, and it didn't take the screaming children long to spot us, whereupon there was some very enthusiastic waving going on between them and us slightly older children. From there it was off into Sheep Hill Woods and out again onto Cam Lane, passed the giant pink flamingos, dropping down to the right across the 'wibbly-wobbly planks' to head for the Maypark estate, just off the A6. It was then back into the park, winding our way to the lake, through the picnic area, up Snake Hill and back to The Barn for a well earned cuppa & bickies. Throughout the walk the park was alive with wildlife today, especially the feathered variety, with robins and small birds of every description wherever we went, a large flock of geese on the lake, and as for that statuesque heron with the laser stare, I just hope it's patience paid off. One couldn't help but be uplifted on such a lovely morning, in beautiful surroundings and in the delightful company of fellow happy health walkers. I now look forward to a glass (or two) of merlot in front of the telly, reflecting on another magical morning and wearing the widest of smiles - that will be due to my reflections and not the merlot! Many thanks to everyone. Roll on Thursday!
��Very many thanks to Margaret & John for a thoroughly enjoyable walk in Cuerden Valley Park on Thursday morning. Margaret lead everyone to the 'dark side' of the park on a wonderfully bright and crisp winter's morning, albeit bitingly cold to start with; when the wind blew and whilst shaded from the sun. But as the walk progressed the wind soon subsided, the warmth from the sun could then be appreciated, and by the time we were in Darth Vader country the 'force' was with us and the pleasures abounded. After plenty of overnight rain, Margaret's route was inspired on Thursday, not least because it avoided the likely troublespots, for it also included so many interesting deviations from a 'standard' walk. From a personal point of view I loved the way we were constantly moving from densely wooded areas, or pathways flanked by trees & shrubs, out into open expanses flooded by sunlight, making for a sensory rollercoaster of a walk that kept the pleasing surprises coming throughout. We passed numerous ponds and watercourses - sadly minus 'Tarka' and his mates, we weaved our way through wide-eyed children enthralled by the teachings of David (Beattie) as they studied the fruits from their pond-dipping, and the only thing more enchanting than the soundtrack of birdsong that morning was constant chatter among the group. Margaret also observed the very recently introduced 'choice of walk-endings' when the group arrives at the base of either Cardiac or Snake Hill, for the final ascent back to The Barn. Under the guidance of a recognised leader, one can either take the direct route (dependent upon the hill arrived at) or continue on to the alternative hill, for those wishing to extend the walk. I think that's a wonderful [safe] innovation and provides more ticks in more boxes for everyone. It goes without saying, the atmosphere back at The Barn was yet another complete delight, with the only negative being that it had to come to an end. That's two more priceless walks in Cuerden Valley this week. Many thanks to the leaders and their back markers, and for the precious company of everyone involved. Roll on next Tuesday! ��
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Today's walks (Red Main Group, Green Short Walk Option Group). Unfortunately Short Option Route lost
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 section of the Main Group took a short cut from Hawk's Clough
Compiled by Michael Swarbrick
Cinder Path Cuerden Hall Hawksclough Farmhouse Cam Lane Lower Kem Mill
The Chorley Walks.
