Health Walk

Please click on photos to see a larger one

Thursday 12th July -  A Special Day.  There were ten of us plus Michael.

Photo 1                 
Who is this Lady in fancy Dress?  Is it the ghost of Lady Catherine?  She looks remarkable like Ruth our Education Officer.

Photo 2
As we entered the Pinetum we were met by the 'Head Gardener' - surely this is David Beattie?

Photo 3                                                 Photo 4
Here we are on our way through the Pinetum heading towards the New Bridge but no, we are entering the the Ice House Wood Nature Reserve.  

Photo5            
The entrance to the Ice House - more strangely attired People - Oh it's a Children's Education Day!

Photo 6     
The Ice House pit - lit by flash, one doesn't usually see this as one peers into the black hole.

Today our leader was Ranger Michael Tattersall - we were being given a special treat and being guided through the nature reserve areas of the Park.

Photo 7                                                 Photo 8                       Photo 9                         Photo 10
Michael explained the wood in this area is mostly alder, used for making charcoal, hurdles etc. - the four photos above were taken at the 2010 May Fair
The public are allowed into this area during the Fairs so so far we hadn't been anywhere new.

Photo 11                                                Photo 12      
Leaving the Ice House wood and heading for the New Bridge.

Photo 13                                                 
We reached the Picnic Area and Jacquie decided to go and wait for the refreshments - it was good to see Jacquie, she's had medical problems and is recovering.  Carole volunteered to look after her so we didn't abandon her.

Photo 14
This clump of Iris, at the northern end of the Picnic Area was moved her from the stream just south of the ford by the recent floods beyond everyone's credibility

Photo 15                                                Photo 16
We entered the Nature Reserve at the northern end of the Picnic Area and here we are at the northern end of the Reservoir where the lake level is governed by a weir.

Photo 17                                               Photo 18
We're looking into the tunnel, which takes the overflow down to the Lostock.

Photo 19                                                 Photo 20                                                 Photo 21
Deeper into the reserve where Michael explained all about pollarding.  He pointed out holes that were probably foxes and also told us that foxes were moving from the countryside into urban areas.

Photo 23                                               Photo 24      
Michael treated the 'Animal Lovers' to a few moments fussing over the Jacob sheep.

Photo 25                                                Photo 26                                            Photo 27
We retraced our steps and walked along the Cycle Track and entered the Nature Reserve alongside Cock Cabin Wood where the old motorcycle scramble track used to be.  The canada Geese are scurrying away from us - not welcome in this part of the Park as they pollute the ponds and kill off native pond wildlife.  Michael spotted this butterfly on the track as we walked back up the hill out of the reserve. The piles of wood are waiting to cut up and sold off for firewood.
We made our way back to the Barn via the Cinder Path.

Today's walk.