Health Walk - Tuesday 27th March 2018

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

Today we had twenty-six walkers a big drop from last Tuesday

Lawrence led with James back marking.  

Brian L led the Elite group with Pat R back marking

Keith wrote on Facebook:

Depending upon which weather forecast one heeded for this morning, it was always going to be a matter of how much and when, and not ‘if’, any rain would fall. So it was a blessing that it transpired to be merely light and only briefly, for the respectable number who assembled in the now fully operational visitor centre today. There’s still a little titivating going on, but that’s being done unobtrusively and doesn’t at all detract from the very pleasant ambiance in our new home. It was the turn of Lawrence (leading) and James (back marking) to don the high vis waistcoats this morning and so, with provisos to his intended route in the case of encountering anything impassable, Lawrence led us off for a descent down Cardiac Hill. Our first thrill came before we even reached the top of the hill, when at the back of the new centre we spotted a jay perched on the lower branch of a tree, immediately above our heads, that seemed perfectly happy to pose for a while, before eventually taking flight. We arrived safely at the bottom of Cardiac, crossed the river over the bridge and then turned right at the tarmac path to make our way towards Gravel Hole Wood. The climb up the path into the wood is fabulous at the moment, thanks to the sublime scent of freshly cut wood in the air as the rangers continue their pre-season housekeeping in the park.  We followed the undulating path through Gravel Hole and on into Dog Kennel Wood, eventually dropping down towards the lake. At the bottom,

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we veered right to take the path that would eventually lead all the way to Cam Lane, (We are actually on Cam Lane - Michael)

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but stopping to descend the first set of steps on the left which took us down

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to the lakeside. The stars of the show here today were the geese, by far the most prevalent species of waterfowl in all wet areas, as the ducks were unaccountably keeping a very low profile. I personally saw more ducks in the river than on the lake and all ponds combined. The other noteworthy thing about the geese today was just how quiet they were, not a honk to be heard, but that was more than made up for by the abundance of birdsong throughout the park, especially in the wooded areas. Even the most uneducated ear couldn’t fail to find that sound utterly enchanting, but I would so dearly appreciate being able to differentiate between the various species and to follow their individual conversations – where’s Bill Oddie when you need him?

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After circling the lake clockwise as far as one can, we took the steps to drop down

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into the picnic area and follow the path around to cross the stone bridge.

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At the foot of Snake Hill, we then turned right to climb into Walkers Wood as far as the first deviation to the left, where we continued to climb up to Bikers Hill. On the day, it came as no surprise to see the Sue Ryder field and scrape completely dominated by geese, including one very striking goose with the purest white plumage. We turned right on the hill and walked for no more than a hundred yards before turning off to the right again, for that wonderfully atmospheric meandering walk through Cock Cabin (bird box) Wood. The pond was unoccupied today, with the exception of a huge mass of freshly laid frog spawn attached to the fringe plants. I would love to be around if they all mature into adults, for you'll be able to hear the croaking for miles. We emerged back out onto the top of Bikers Hill,

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where we turned right to head for a trouble free passage

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along the Cinder Path, at the end of which it was encouraging to see further evidence of the restoration work being undertaken in the park. A previously troublesome set of steps leading up to the private road for Sue Ryder, has recently received a generous helping of gravel to provide sure footing and avoid the build-up of mud. Another gold star for the rangers.  However, our pleasures and delights didn’t stop there today, for as we

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passed Wilbraham’s Wood the daffodils were beginning to bloom, sporadically to start with, but by the time we reached the car par to Sue Ryder one could see golden drifts through the trees behind the memorials. Thanks to our final destination now, Lawrence was able to introduce a novel finish to our walk

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by passing in front of the Sue Ryder lawn and gardens, and behind Parkwood Holdings where we got the rare but endearing sight of a mallard couple taking their constitutional in the field.  In next to no time from

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there we were back at base and enjoying brews and bickies in our new salubrious surroundings. The [supposedly] shorter walking group took the plaudits today, arriving back a good 10 minutes after the larger group, and were clearly shocked themselves by the results on their various pedometers and walk trackers. Double gold stars to them me thinks. The heart-warming atmosphere during refreshments was not only the icing on the cake, it was the lighted candles and sparklers amidst the sprinkles on the icing on the cake today, and was as informative as it was joyous as ever. One down, one to go this week and, believing you can’t get too much of a good thing – BRING IT ON! Many thanks to Lawrence for his thoughtfully planned route, aided and abetted by James, for the kindness of our caterers, and to everyone else for their priceless company.

Back to Michael:

The Elite walkers ventured into the north side of the Park going past the front of Cuerden Hall down to the Cinder Path over the M6 under the M65, clockwise round the north area footpaths and returning the same way, exhausted

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 >>.

Today's walkers

Main Walk - Bernadette, Brian C, Christine S, Colin D, Elizabeth M, Graham, James Mc, John W, Keith, Lawrence, Linda E, Margaret W, Marilyn, Michael G, Michael S, Rosemary, Sheila T & Yvonne

Short Walk Group - Ann S, Brian L, Colin C, Dianne, Elizabeth H, Irene T, Jennifer J & Pat R

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.