Health Walk - Tuesday 15th December 2015

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

It was a lovely warm morning with sunshine at the end.

Today we had fourteen walkers - Brian, Carmel, Carol, Elizabeth H, Elizabeth M, Frankie, Ian, Irene S, Jacqueline, James, Lawrence, Michael, Pat and Sue.  

Photo 1   
Michael was leading and we set off into the Pinetum and up to the viewing area where we watched four squirrels but saw no birds. 

We turned south at the Wooden Bridge and most of us entered Gravel Hole Wood.  Jacqueline and Sue chose to walk along the Cycle Track to just past the Covert Pond where they rested a moments and then turned back retracing their steps but missing out the viewing area - green route.

Photo 2
Walking through the woods you can see the Hall now that the leaves have fallen.

Leaving Dog Kennel Wood we entered the Field, walking up to the steps

Photo 3
We climbed down the steps.  Today they we free of water but the bottom two are getting worn away and quite high and we have to make our way gingerly down them, I think one of us slipped and sat down.

We walked round he Lake.

Photo 4                                                 Photo 5                                                 Photo 6
A young Moorhen and the Great Crested Grebe.

Photo 7                                                 Photo 8
Dropping down to he Picnic Area where the temporary pool has grown.

Photo 9
Two of the rangers.

We crossed the Stone Bridge and walked up and into the Walkers Wood

Photo 10                                                 Photo 11
Leaving the Walkers Wood, here we had a rest, and walking on into Cock Cabin wood

Photo 12
Cock Cabin Pond

Photo 13                                                 Photo 14                                                 Photo 15
Back on the Cycle Track with sunshine at last

Photo 16
The sunshine livens up the photos

Photo 17                                                 Photo 18

Photo 19
Starting up Snake Hill

Photo 20                                                 Photo 21
The latest status of the new Visitors Centre.  Three dedicated volunteers, I think they, with a few others, have done most of the work so far.  The one on the right is John Stainton, the Chairman of the Trustees

Photo 22
The forlorn looking row of tyres is the foundation for the terrace.

Back at the Hall Carole joined us for coffee.

Today's walks

Michael Swarbrick