Health Walk - Thursday 17th November 2016
Photos by Michael - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had twenty-three walkers
Everywhere was wet and gloomy, it had been bright and sunny half an hour earlier, possibly why we had such a good turnout.
Michael was leading, Elizabeth M volunteered to be back marker and Peter led the short walk with Suzie as back marker - there were only three of them and a dog but they had two Hi-Vis jacket wearers.
Michael said to try "To find a walk without puddles and mud we'd walk the opposite way to Tuesday's walk". It had rained quite a lot since Tuesday.
We set off down to the Stone Bridge, the short walkers following.
We crossed the Stone Bridge and walked along the bottom of the Dam and climbed up to the Lake. Peter led his group up the slope and walked the opposite way round the Lake and down the long steps then along the river to the Wooden Bridge and up Cardiac Hill back to the Barn via the steep path past the new building.
As we reached the corner of the Lake crossing what would be Peter's path we entered the Field avoiding the muddy kissing gate and wet steps. It was now raining and at times hard.
Michael surveyed the path down at Hawks Clough and there was a 'lake' in the dell so we continued up past the Ponderosa.
We walked along Cam Lane, crossing Sheep Hill Lane and walked down to Town Brow Car Park where we recrossed the road and walked along the Cycle Track past the Covert Pond.
We had by now split into three distinct groups so Michael told the rear group that he was continuing along the Cycle Track to the Stone Bridge but if they wished to take a short cut up Cardiac Hill Elizabeth could take them that way.
Walking back to the front Michael told the other walkers that he'd changed his plans and if they wished to go up Cardiac Hill they were welcome to do so. Tuesday's walk was under an hour.
Now Michael had changed his mind as the rain had stopped but it now came down with a vengeance.
Sandy was taking photos but Michael thought he ought to take a few now as Sandy's would only materialise later.
Photo 1
The leading group, or the three stooges as I christened them.
Photo 2
Not too far behind the large group. Just pass the seat in the distance you can see Alison's group of school children and deep into the photo you can just pick out Elizabeth's Hi-Vis jacket, the trailing group.
Michael thought as the weather was bad he would let the walkers do their own pace to get back to the Barn hence the wide spread by now.
Photo 3 Photo 4
It was a horrible day for the children here pond dipping. The usual site is down stream of the Stone Bridge but, as you can see below, the river was a raging torrent and completely unsafe.
Photo 5
The leading group crossing the Stone Bridge
Photo 6 Photo 7
The middle group with Snake Hill in sight but where are the leaders?
Photo 8
Just disappearing round the corner
Photo 9 Photo 10
The last group decided to follow the rest of us, anything but Cardiac Hill, and are just coming into view, Michael waited for them the rest on automatic pilot hurrying to the shelter of the Barn and warm drinks.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the walks despite the conditions.
Today's walks
Today's walkers - Ann, Bernadette, Carmel, Colin C, Colin D, David, Elizabeth M, Frankie, Graham, Helen G, James, Jean, Jennifer, John W, Linda E, Margaret W, Michael, Paul, Peter, Sandy, Suzie, Walter, Zandra and Jean's daughter's dog Toby.
The Chorley Walks.
Michael Swarbrick
