Health Walk - Tuesday 10th April 2018

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

Today we had twenty-eight walkers.

Michael led the main walk with Frankie back marking, training Irene S.  Brian L led the short option walk with Suzi back marking

Keith wrote on Facebook:

After my enforced absence from the park last week, and having no further cause or just impediment why I shouldn’t be re-joined, nothing was going to keep me away this morning come rain or shine. Unfortunately, it proved to be the former today but, with my spirits being as waterproof as the clothes on my back, I still made my way to the visitor centre filled with eager anticipation. Notwithstanding the guarantee of rain all morning, that started to fall the night before, an impressive number gathered to make up two significant groups today, which were destined to cross paths at one point. Michael (S) took the leaders jacket for the larger group, with Frankie back marking, and without any ado we set off for our descent into the park via Cardiac Hill. That was the litmus test for the rest of the walk, which was encouraging due to the puddling being minimal and any muddy sections passable without too much trouble. Having crossed the river, we turned right to follow the tarmac path as far as the entrance into Gravel Hole Wood to the left. The wooded sections were particularly pleasant today, both offering protection from the persistent drizzle and being alive with that delicious cocktail of scents stirred up by the very same drizzle. All deciduous trees are now heavily budded, with leaves forming on some, and the hawthorn & blackthorn actually in blossom – dazzling spires of white fanning out like exploding fireworks in the shadows. After the climb into Gravel Hole Wood, the path then weaves and undulates between the trees, crossing the bridge over the run-off from the cow field (that feeds the River Lostock below), through and on into Dog Kennel Wood, that eventually leads down towards the lake. At the bottom we veered right to take the path that would eventually lead to Cam Lane only today, just after Hawks Clough, Michael took us down to the left for a clockwise circuit of the outer edge to Green Wood. Once at the bottom and having crossed another bridge, it’s the steady climb that eventually leads to the top walk that passes the rear of a certain store, immediately after which it’s then a steep drop down to the next bridge, followed by an equally steep climb up a set of steps leading to Cam Lane. Turning right on the lane, we made our way passed the ‘cottage’ of infinite intrigue, until we ended up backtracking from Hawks Clough onwards. That was as far as the first set of steps which leads down to the lake on the right – the point at which the two groups’ paths crossed earlier on the walk.

Photo 1                                                             Photo 2
At the lake we followed the shoreline around as far as one can go, to the top of the steps which leads down to the picnic area. The lake was fairly quiet this morning, with just a few ducks and geese taking to the water and very little in flight. Having taken the steps and

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rounded the picnic area, it was then over the stone bridge for that classic sweep up

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Snake Hill

Photo 6                                                             Photo 7                                                 Photo 8
and back to where we started. 

Rounding up, that was just under 2.5 miles, 1 hour and 6,000 steps of pure enjoyment but, given the dynamic elevation profile of the route today, I’m calling that a good 3 miles on the flat and more than adequate justification for some calorific indulgence back at the visitor centre. We were lucky enough to have use of the classroom today,

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so refreshments afterwards was the usual delight, with everyone being kept together and where the bon homie flowed effortlessly.

It felt so wonderful being back in Cuerden Valley Park again, and so joyful being reunited with my fellow health walkers. Many thanks to Michael for his route and leadership today, to Frankie for watching our backs, to our caterers for their trouble and effort, and to everyone else for their precious companionship. According to the BBC weather App. on my phone, and all being well, conditions should be dry on Thursday and possibly warmer. But come rain or shine, snow or blow, I’ll be there! 

Back to Michael

The elite walkers followed us down Cardiac Hill but they turned left after the Wooden Bridge and walked along the river, up the slope to the Lake, round the Lake, up the steps to the Field and down to the Kissing Gate, up into Dog Kennel Wood, through Gravel Hole Wood, over the Wooden Bridge, up Cardiac Hill into the Pinetum and back to the Visitors Centre.

Today's walks

Today's walkers

Main Walk - Bernadette, Brian C, Carmel, Christine S, Colin D, Frankie, Graham, Irene S, James, Keith, Maggie, Marilyn, Michael G, Michael S, Rosemary, Sheila T, Susan G, Sylvia & Vic

Elite group - Aysha, Brian L, Carol W, Elizabeth H, Elizabeth M, Irene T, Linda E, Paul S & Suzi - it was Paul S' first walk with us

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.