Health Walk - Thursday 12th April 2018

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

Today we had thirty-two walkers and Paddy, Geoff's dog.

Carmel led the main walk with Cheryl back marking.  Suzi led the short option walk with Colin C back marking

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The main group already out of sight the Elite walkers just starting out across the Car Park

Keith wrote on Facebook:

It was wonderful to see so many people turnout for this morning’s walk (for a Thursday) in Cuerden Valley Park, who were rewarded with perfectly dry conditions and just a chilly easterly breeze to contend with. What possessed me to wear a feeble hoodie in those temperatures I’ll never know, but I’ll ensure it never happens again! Evidence of nature’s desperation to truly explode into life is everywhere to be seen, one can almost hear the leaf buds creaking under the strain, but until that big golden ball in the sky comes out to play, we all need follow nature’s lead and dress accordingly. The larger group were in the capable hands of Carmel and Cheryl this morning, and so as the clock struck ten and with a sharp blast of her whistle, Carmel assembled everyone outside the visitor centre to deliver her preamble and outline today’s route. We set off for Cardiac Hill, but just as the path turns to the left for the actual descent, the first point of interest today could be seen on the pond to the right at the top, slightly obscured from view which, if I’m not mistaken had a striking display of

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flowering ‘skunk cabbage’ on the fringes. If so, whilst the name may not sound too prepossessing, the huge yellow flowers have the brilliance of daffodils on steroids, and is something to behold and worthy of closer inspection.  (Photos 2 and 3 are from last years 30th March walk - Michael)

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Conditions underfoot remains pretty good in most areas at the moment, so Cardiac Hill posed no problems and gave everyone a gravity-aided introduction to the heart of the park. We initially followed Tuesday’s route, in that we turned right after crossing the river for a climb into Gravel Hole Wood, where the path twists & turns, drops & rises until it seamlessly blends into Dog Kennel Wood. Whilst the wooded areas protected the group from drizzle on Tuesday, it was providing respite from the cold easterly wind today, which was felt most acutely when we came out of Dog Kennel Wood to take the path looking up towards the Cam Lane Cottage. Coming from the east, the wind was picking up force today as it blew across that particular field without any obstruction, but we only had to travel as far as the steps leading down to the lake on our left, which we took and immediately became reprieved.

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The lake was a lot busier today, with pairs of geese and ducks (it’s that time of year) criss-crossing the surface, honking and quacking as they glided by, although that was with the exception of the one-off pure white goose, who’s colouration has been making it stand out from the flock for a number of weeks now, accentuating it’s apparent solitary existence.

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(Cowslips and Primulas on the side of the Dam on our left as

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and the Gore we walked towards the Steps down to the Picnic Area - Michael)

We circled the lake as far as the steps down to the picnic area, which lead us to the point where we deviated from Tuesday’s walk, at the base of Snake Hill.

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It was lovely to see an organised group of children enjoying some water sampling to the left of the stone bridge (from our viewpoint), for it’s to be hoped they will become the future committed users, friends and custodians of the park to ensure it’s protection and longevity. From here,

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Carmel lead everyone into Walkers Wood to our right, through and out onto Bikers Hill. Looking across towards the Sue Ryder Scrape, things were quiet today, with just the odd magpie, pigeon and crow popping into the field for a quick graze, and most waterfowl appearing to favour the lake. Temperatures are still too cold for farmers to risk allowing their flocks and herds onto the fields but, if the long range weather forecast can be trusted, we could start seeing their introduction at some point next week (?). We turned right on Bikers Hill and before too long right again, for that atmospheric, meandering walk through Cock Cabin Wood. Looking on the floor in every wood, the bluebell shoots are now beginning to form a carpet which in a couple of months will be one of British nature’s most stunning floral displays, giving off the most heavenly perfume. The pond was uninhabited today, and even devoid of the frog spawn that was amassing amongst the path-side plants only a few days ago. However, that’s nature’s way, whereby the creatures at greatest threat of predation produce the greatest number of progeny. Once emerged from the wood and back out onto Bikers Hill, it was then a straight forward descent down the hill, at the bottom of which we began our steady climb back up Snake Hill and along to our final destination. Our refreshments today were taken in the café (christened by our walk leader), that was already busy before we arrived. That meant spilling out onto the balcony, which for yours truly was a first and gave me a taste of what we can look forward to during the summer months. THAT VIEW! Along with resisting the mouth-watering smells coming from the kitchen, my only problem will be tearing myself away from that view. But even that wasn’t the end of our taste of the great outdoors today, for what we assumed to be a jay crossing the field immediately in front of us - due to the striking plumage, proved to be a kestrel once it began to hover in that unmistakable fashion scanning for prey. The whole park resounded with the most enchanting birdsong today, and having earlier caught sight of an advertisement for a ‘Dawn Chorus’ walk scheduled for 6th May, I am sorely tempted to experience the full symphony in the presence of an educated ear. That must be something very special indeed. Every aspect of today’s walk was an absolute delight and completes two more thoroughly enjoyable walks for the week, in the park that never stops giving. Many thanks to Carmel and Cheryl for looking after us today, and to everyone else for the pleasure of their wonderful company.

Back to Michael S:

The Elite walkers went round the sunny side (Ha Ha) of the Hall to Snake Hill, down the hill over the Stone Bridge and up the Slope, where they ran into the Main group, on into Dog Kennel Wood, Gravel Hole Wood, Wooden Bridge, Cardiac Hill to the top, back through the Car Park to the Cafe.

It was a bit hectic in the Cafe at first but we enjoyed our drinks and biscuits and a few of us dined

Today's walks

Today's walkers

Main Walk - Barbara F, Barry, Bernadette, Bill, Carmel, Cheryl, Colin D, Eileen P, Frankie, Geoff and Paddy, Graham, Irene S, James, Jane S, Joe H, John W, Keith, Linda E, Linda P, Margaret W, Michael S, Moira, Peter M, Rosemary & Sheila T

Elite group - Carole, Colin C, Elizabeth H, Jennifer K, Linda D, Muriel & Suzi

It was Peter M, Rosemary's husband and Jane 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.