Health Walk - Thursday 22nd March 2018
Photos by Sheila T - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had twenty-six walkers.
James led the main walk with Cheryl back marking. Colin led the short option walk with Suzi back marking
Keith wrote on Facebook:
On a week when new personal experiences in Cuerden Valley Park have come one after the other, I knew the theme would be maintained today when a manageable number allowed James to describe a thoughtfully reconnoitred route, circumstances have been denying him leading on since July last year. So from our new starting point and with everyone charged with anticipation, the cap was ceremoniously doffed and, with Cheryl back marking, we (or I at least) set off into the unknown. We back-tracked down Berkeley Drive, at the end of which it was left into Shady Lane,
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past James’s summer residence, and along until we came upon a stile on the left, immediately after the last property overlooking the valley – I’ve now revised what I’m going to do when my six numbers come up! Since James’s survey only 24 hours earlier, specifically to assess the accessibility of that stile and the field beyond, trouble at’ mill.
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No, that wasn’t an impromptu performance by Graham & Bernadette, the stile had sustained some damage and so, with a great deal of care, a lot of improvisation, the attentiveness of James & Cheryl and that ‘all for one and one for all’ attitude of health walkers, we safely negotiated the stile
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for a field crossing that was absolutely delightful. (Here James encouraged walkers to look over the River Lostock valley - Michael)
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It was a diagonal crossing that brought us out onto Town Brow via a shiny new galvanised kissing gate and stone steps; thanks to Lancashire County Council (via Ranger Sarah).
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Turning left, we continued down Town Brow (Petula Clark’s just popped into my head) for a hundred yards or so before taking the first right into Back Lane, half way up which we veered off to the left
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for a meandering walk through Sheep Hill Lane Wood.
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That brought us out onto the lane (Sheephill Lane) itself, where we dropped down to re-enter the park proper again at the bottom, by the car park. The walk along the tarmac path was a completely different experience today thanks to some significant coppicing that’s taken place along the right hand side, opening up views of the field beyond and increasing the feeling of airiness. Throughout the whole park there’s evidence of considerable work going on now, to clear the way for nature to expand into the spaces left behind, and for all nature lovers that’s quite literally creating a growing sense of expectation of things to come. James being James and with the group in ‘adventure’ mode - aided and abetted by some remarkably firm conditions underfoot at the moment, we deviated from
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the path before the Covert Pond (opposite Black Banks Wood) to follow
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the river along the bankside,
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weaving in and out of the trees,
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up and over roots & stumps, for that hands-on experience that a perfectly safe passage allowed us to appreciate. I don’t thing we would’ve received any plaudits from Bear Grylls, but I for one thought we fared admirably. Emerging at the bottom of Gravel Hole Wood (just before Cardiac Hill), we then continued to follow the river along the tarmac path as far as the stone bridge, which we crossed for an ascent up Snake Hill and back to base. Having learnt a few lessons from Tuesday’s experience, and having fewer numbers to cater for, the new visitor centre coped perfectly well with both groups today, managing to accommodate everyone around a central table that made conversation so much more inclusive. Whilst the building is still very much a work in progress, there’s a lot more work involved for those kind souls who provide our refreshments, and I’m certain everyone is extremely grateful for their kindness; as always. It was lovely to see so many dwarf daffodils in bloom today, taking over from the snowdrops, and that usually heralds a riot of colour when their larger cousins begin to join the party. Buds are appearing on all the trees and hedgerows now, and with all species of bird busy doing what birds do at this time of year, the park is an exciting place to be right now. So after a week of so many firsts, and as Yvonne correctly points out an historic week for the park and it’s users, “my cup runneth over” after two truly wonderful walks. Very many thanks to the leaders, to the back markers, the caterers, and to everyone else who’s company I have thoroughly enjoyed yet again. I am one very Happy Heath Walker!
Back to Michael
The elite walkers set off in the opposite direction down Snake Hill. They went up Bikers Hill, clockwise round Cock Cabin Wood down through Walkers Wood, across the Stone Bridge, up the slope into Dog Kennel Wood, through Gravel Hole Wood, over the Wooden Bridge into the Pinetum and back to the Visitors Centre.
Today's walk
Today's walkers
Main Walk - Bernadette, Bill, Carmel, Cath B, Cheryl, Colin D, Edward, Elizabeth M, Graham, James, Joe H, John Mc, Keith, Kerry, Marie, Michael S, Moira & Sheila
Barn minding group - Ann, Carol R, Colin C, Dianne, Jennifer J, Mary, Norman & Suzi
Compiled by Michael Swarbrick
Cinder Path Cuerden Hall Hawksclough Farmhouse Cam Lane Lower Kem Mill
Cuerden Valley's Health Walk Cock Cabin Wood
The Chorley Walks.
