Health Walk - Tuesday 20th March 2018

Photos by Michael S - Please click on photos to see a larger one

Today we had fifty-seven walkers and Sally.  A record for us, 57 the most ever, 41 walkers on the main walk and 16 walkers on the short option, both individual records.

Lawrence led with James back marking.  

Pat led the Elite group with Colin C back marking

Keith wrote on Facebook:

Where to begin... how to summarise a morning filled with so many memorable firsts… how to describe that which I’m not entirely sure ‘should’ be described?  I’ll give it a go.  After a period of extremely challenging and varied weather conditions, a positive forecast swelled this morning’s numbers to almost record breaking proportions, who were immediately treated to a privileged first, as the group was allowed to use the new visitor centre for the first time.  There’s clearly a lot of work required before the building will be open to the general public, but first impressions were very positive and there’s no doubt it’s going to be a very popular attraction for the park’s users.

Photo 1
Margaret was our leader today, with hubby [John] back marking, and headed off for the Cinder Path.  The chosen route today was to bear left at the top of Snake Hill to follow the path in front of Cuerden Hall – Sue Ryder, and that was the first inspired choice placing everyone in the right place at the right time. It was just as we passed the hall that a cry went out and everyone looked to their right

Photo 2
to witness ‘two’ very illusive and extraordinarily beautiful creatures bounding across the bottom of the field.  This is where I’m very conflicted about what could or should be discussed on this particular forum.  I would just urge any member who wasn’t on this morning’s walk to contact a friend that was, and then to become truly amazed and green with envy.  After regaining our composure, we duly crossed a mud-free Cinder Path, into Cock Cabin Wood where we circled the pond and emerged back out onto Bikers Hill.  From there it was straight into Walkers Wood, through and out to cross the stone bridge

Photo 3
and picnic area for the step way climb to the lake on the far left hand side. The lake was a hive of activity, as was the whole park today, with both users and residents making up for lost time. It’s always lovely to see the surface filled with all manner of waterfowl, but it was only as we approached the furthest point accessible on the lake’s fringe and beginning to bemoan the absence of a heron sighting that, perfectly on cue, one came elegantly gliding past in full view and allowed that particular box to be ticked-off.  After climbing the steps up to the path, as solid underfoot as I’ve experienced in a long while, we then veered right to take the path leading into Dog Kennel Wood, through and on into Gravel Hole Wood to follow the path that drops back

Photo 4
down to the

Photo 5
tarmac path running alongside the river.  Having turned right to make our way back to Snake Hill, and fully emerged from Gravel Hole Wood, we were then confronted by the scene of an impressively sized buzzard occupying a vantage point

Photo 6
in a denuded tree on the far bank of the river. Sadly, by the time we passed a number of trees obscuring that view it had disappeared, for even the spectacle of it flying away would’ve been something special to behold.

Photo 7                                                               Photo 8

Photo 9                                                              Photo 10                                                  Photo 11

Photo 12  
After crossing the river again at the stone bridge, where a number of dogs were enjoying a marvellous time splashing about – I couldn’t help thinking about Otis at this point,

Photo 13
we made our ascent up Snake Hill, at the top of which we now immediately reach our final destination at

Photo 14
the new visitor centre.  Understandably, given that the building is still a work in progress - other than the office accommodation for staff, refreshments did take a little (frankly considerably) more effort on the part of those who kindly organised it (very many thanks to all concerned) but, for a first gathering in such extenuating circumstances,

Photo 15                                                               Photo 16                                                 Photo 17
the whole pleasure of that icing on the health walking cake was undiminished.  It seemed fitting that on the spring equinox the park should offer up so many of it’s innumerable treasures, both in terms of flora and fauna – the more you look the more you’ll see!  The weather was ideal too, the enchanting soundtrack of birdsong was as spellbinding as ever, and the wonderful company of so many like-minded two and four legged friends an absolute delight.  They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and my enforced absence last week certainly meant my personal love affair with the park grew even stronger today.  Thursday morning can’t come around quickly enough for me!  Very many thanks to everyone and everything for yet another memorable morning in the ceaselessly rewarding Cuerden Valley Park.

Back to Michael:

Photo 18                                                               Photo 19
The centre was certainly a hive of activity.  The dish washer hasn't been installed yet, it's there waiting for attention but Suzi & Pat made up for it.  New Cafe Manager Jane was doing her best to clean up the place.

Photo 20                                                               Photo 21
Strolling round the balcony

Photo 22                                                               Photo 23                                                 Photo 24
and the some of the views

Photo 25

Photo 26                                                               Photo 27
Cyclists entrance

The short option walkers, the Elite walkers, walked in to opposite direction to get then followed the main group to the Cinder Path and across the Stone Bridge where they left the main group's route and walked along the river to the Wooden Bridge, up Cardiac Hill, into the Pinetum and up the side back to the Visitors Centre

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 >>.

Today's walkers

Main Walk - Angela, Ann B, Ann F, Ann K, Anneka, Barbara, Barry, Bernadette, Brian C, Carmel, Christine D, Clare, Colin D, Dee, Elizabeth M, Graham, Ilene, James Mc, Joe Mc, John Mc, John W, Keith, Lawrence, Maggie, Malcolm, Margaret A, Margaret W, Marilyn, Maureen, Michael G, Michael S, Monica, Peter H and Sally, Roseanne, Rosemary, Sheila T, Sylvia, Vic, Victoria, Vivien & Yvonne

Short Walk Group - Ann S, Beth, Carol R, Carole, Cath B, Colin C, Helen M, Irene T, Jennifer J, John B, Lynne, Maggie, Muriel, Norman, Pat R, & Suzi

Compiled by Michael Swarbrick

Cinder Path                Cuerden Hall          Hawksclough Farmhouse                         Cam Lane               Lower Kem Mill

Cuerden Valley's Health Walk            Cock Cabin Wood

The Chorley Walks.