Health Walk - Thursday 5th December

Photos by Michael S, Sheila T & Eileen P - Please click on photos to see a larger one

Photo 1
Around 8.30AM outside our bedroom window - red sky in the morning, sailor's warning - what is today going to be like?

Sheila T:  "Twenty four walkers on a fine dry but nippy morning.  Fourteen led by James and back marked by Irene took a long walk to the four ponds (or is it five?).  Colin led the Elite group of ten walkers with Pat back marking.  Two regular canine friends George and Charlie accompanied the Elite walk today. "

Jimmy set off straight into the Pinetum

Photo 2                                                               Photo 3
and down Cardiac Hill on his 'Four Ponds Walk' but are there five?

Photo 4                                                              Photo 5
Along the Cycle Path towards Town Brow

Photo 6
Passed the first and last pond, Covert Pond behind the fence at the left-hand side of the photo

Photo 7                                                            Photo 8
Crossing the road and walking up Sheephill to enter Sheephill Wood

Photo 9
I love this section, don't know why

Photo 10
Descending down from the Top of the World

Photo 11                                                               Photo 12
to cross the Footbridge, with cries of be careful it's slippy.   Now the leaves have fallen you can see Back Lane is very close here.

Coming out on to Back Lane and continuing to climb up to Wood End Road and walking round and down to leave the road and

Photo 13 - Sheila                                                Photo 14
encounter the first of the four ponds

Photo 15 - Sheila                Photo 16 - Sheila
Michael

Photo 17
Gran and Grandchild feeding the ducks

Photo 18                                                                  Photo 19                                             Photo 20                              
passing the second pond

Photo 21                                                              Photo 22
Looking back, the piece of plastic sticks out like a sore thumb

Photo 23                                                   Photo 24 - Sheila            Photo 25                                               Photo 26   
Now we've arrived at the third pond crossing the interesting bridge, Irene nearly fell down the first step which she hadn't noticed

Photo 27
On our way back looking for the fourth pond which Jimmy said was now visible as the leaves had fallen

Photo 28                                                               Photo 29                                            Photo 30
Looking up then down to the fourth pond

Photo 31 - Eileen    Photo 32 - Eileen
Berries

Photo 33                                                            Photo 34
Walking down Back Lane to cross the road back into the Park and walking along the Cycle Path along the Avenue of Oaks the passed the 'fifth' pond back to the Wooden Bridge

Photo 35                                                            Photo 36
crossing and climbing up Cardiac Hill on the devastated path into the Pinetum, turning right at John's 'Many Eyed Tree' and making the last Climb back to the Visitors Centre.

John B:  "Short walk, Thursday 5th December 2019, 10 walkers plus George and Charlie. Colin leading, Pat back marking. Up to Barclay Drive, round old barn to main drive, Cinder path, right along cycle track to Stone bridge, up long steps to lake, through Dog Kennel Wood and Gravel Hole Wood, down to right on cycle track and left to ascend Cardiac Hill to right at Many Eyed Tree to return to café./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 >>.  similarly for the blue arrows

Compiled by Michael Swarbrick with grateful thanks to Eileen, John & Sheila

Cam Lane
Cam Lane Cottage
The Chorley Walks.  
Cinder Path
Cock Cabin Wood
Cuerden Hall
Cuerden Valley's Health Walk
Lower Kem Mill
Hawksclough Farmhouse
Tree Sculpture
Park
Pinetum
Ponderosa
Visitors Centre