Health Walk - Thursday 28th December 2017

Photos by Michael S, Eileen & John W - Please click on photos to see a larger one

Today we twenty-eight walkers

It was threatening to rain/hail stone but we all set off optimistically  

002s
Photo 1
I got everyone to pose because I wasn't sure everyone was on the register - not used to roughing it outside.

The Park was supposed to open the Barn while we signed in.

Michael S was leading with Carmel back marking.  Sue led the short option with Colin C back marker, only four of them today.

Michael warned it may be icy and slippy under foot

j01s
Photo 2 - John
and almost immediately as we got on to Cardiac Hill we were slipping and sliding all over the place.  Eventually we chose to walk on the grass as the path was treacherous.

We crossed the Wooden Bridge and climbed up into Gravel Hole Wood which was 'safe' but as we were coming down from Dog Kennel Wood the exposed area where the Larch had been cleared was again very slippy.

e01s
Photo 3 - Eileen
We went through the Kissing Gate

e04s
Photo 4 - Eileen
and walked up into the Field.

j02s
Photo 5 - John      
and along to Hawks Clough.

We walked round Green Wood clockwise,

e05s
Photo 6 - Eileen
climbed these badly in need of repair steps on to Cam Lane and back to Hawks Clough past the Ponderosa.

004s 005s
Photo 7                                                         Photo 8
Continuing along Cam Lane we saw these people droning but continued and we went down more dodgy steps to

j03s
Photo 9 - John
the Lake.  What is everyone looking at?  

009s
Photo 10
The Heron and Cormorants swimming and diving, fishing, across on the other side.

011s
Photo 11
A new bench!  Hope we see some more next year.

013s
Photo 12
The Mallards are hoping for food?

017s
Photo 13
Round the other side now.  The Heron is still there but where have all the Cormorants gone?

019s
Photo 14
Into the trees on the other side at least fifteen of them.

Having walked all round the Lake we descended the Long Steps to the Picnic Area, walked along the bottom of the Dam and crossed the Stone Bridge to walk up Snake Hill

e02s
Photo 15 - Eileen
Eileen looking back down Snake Hill

We all seemed to enjoy the morning ending the walk with mince pies and Christmas cheer in the Barn.  The Elite walkers had caught Ranger Sarah and she opened up the Barn for us!

The elite walkers had gone in the opposite direction, along the Cinder Path, on to the Cycle Track down Bikers Hill and preceded us up Snake Hill back to the Barn where they had prepared everything for us.

m20171228(209)s
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 >>.  >> walking the same route twice.

Today's walkers

Main Walk - Allan, Amanda, Brian, Carmel, Cheryl, Christine H, Damian, David H, Dennis, Edward, Eileen P, Elizabeth M, Geoff T, James Mc, Joe H, John W, Ian M, Keith, Kerry, Maggie, Michael M, Michael S, Sheila T & Yvonne

Short Walk Group - Colin C, Susan S, Pam & Peter

A few words from Keith (copied from Facebook): 

Conditions this morning were certainly the trickiest I've personally encountered on a Cuerden Valley health walk, with sheets of ice to negotiate on sections of most paths in the park. But with Michael at the helm and Cheryl back marking we were in safe hands today, with no risks taken and everyone completing the walk without any mishaps or accidents. That was entirely down to the experience, care and attention shown by Michael and Cheryl throughout, as well as having a healthy contingent of fellow leaders within the group who kept a constant watchful eye on everyone. Many thanks to all. I'm going to ignore the BBC weather app on my mobile from now on that (last thing on Wednesday evening) was forecasting a sunny and dry Thursday, because we only saw fleeting glimpses of the sun today whilst being constantly pestered by flurries of rain/hail throughout the walk. Thank goodness the CVP Health Walkers are made of sterner stuff than the average 'stroller' because we not only met the challenges today, we enjoyed every moment and the smiles depicted on the group photos never waned - terrific photos everyone! I think the main attraction in the park at the moment is the lake, where the views are always lovely, but it's a haven for birdwatchers right now and yesterday didn't disappoint as the photos bear witness. The group was extremely grateful for Sarah opening up The Barn this morning just for our benefit, where a hot brew has never more appreciated and allowed the friendly chat to carry on in comfort, whilst the heaviest hail shower of the morning was falling outside ("phew"). Many thanks for your company everyone, and all the very best for the new year, and lots more priceless Tuesdays & Thursdays! ��

Compiled by Michael Swarbrick

Cinder Path           Cuerden Hall          Cam Lane         Hawksclough Farmhouse

Cuerden Valley's Health Walk

The Chorley Walks.  

 

cvp

Home Page

rota

routes

2017s

2015s

2014s

2012s

fishs

2010s

michael