Health Walk - Thursday 29th March 2018
Photos by Michael - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Walking down to the Cuerden View building from the Car Park
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these Daffodils were seen in the Pinetum alongside the Car Park could it be that spring has arrived?
Today we had twenty-nine walkers.
Michael led the main walk with Elizabeth back marking. Colin led the short option walk with Suzi back marking
Keith wrote on Facebook:
On the day of a walk, I’m always excited at the prospect of experiencing something wonderful, a personal first, to witness something special or out of the ordinary. And that doesn’t include looking forward to meeting up with so many friendly kindred spirits. However on certain days, whether that’s because of the conditions or my frame of mind on the day, the excitement is overridden by the greater pleasure of simply being there; as long as that’s in the delightful company of my fellow health walkers. This morning was one of those occasions, when simply spending some time in the beautiful environment of the park under a blue sky, from which the sun shone continuously and a gentle breeze kept the temperatures optimal for walking in, was positively uplifting. With Easter preparations underway, it was surprising to see so many walkers assemble in a bustling visitor centre, all looking forward to ticking their own personal boxes. Michael was leading today, and it must have been such a relief being able to imagine a route without having to build-in contingency plans for impassable areas. In fact the conditions underfoot throughout the park today were as firm as they’ve been since summer last year, and was even a remarkable improvement from just 48 hours earlier. My own Easter preparations have limited the amount of time I have to describe my pleasure today, so without further ado we set off for our descent into the park down Cardiac Hill. Having crossed the river over the bridge, we then turned right on the tarmac path and proceeded along until we reached the path off to the left, for a climb into Gravel Hole Wood. From there we followed the path that seamlessly leads into Dog Kennel Wood, at the end of which it’s a drop down towards the lake. Negotiating the kissing gate at the bottom, we then followed the path (Cam Lane) - Michael) that overlooked a very quiet looking lake to our left, past the Hawks Clough complex nestling in Walton Banks Wood, immediately after which we dropped down to our left to cross the stream. At this point one’s circus skills are usually put to the test by having to balance on the ‘wibbly-wobbly’ planks, but that wasn’t necessary today
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as the ground was perfectly dry here, without a hint of mud. It was a steady climb
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up into Green Wood, (seeing the first Blackthorn in blossom - Michael) that we circled clockwise following the path passing a certain store, down into the wood to cross back over the stream, immediately climbing again after the bridge to head for Cam Lane. This particular set of steps is usually quite a challenge but, again, the only challenge today was the physical exertion thanks to the steps being virtually bone dry. I feel it’s also worth noting that the gully following the course of the path on the left hand side (just before reaching the store) was full of frog spawn today which, along with that building up in the ponds, is going to make for one heck of a frog chorus in a couple of months. Having reached the farthest extent of our walk today, we then headed back towards home by passing Kate Price’s northern residence, retracing our steps past Hawks Clough and along the path at the foot of the tobogganing field, until we dropped down the steps to our right which
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leads directly to the lake. By this time the lake had come alive with activity although, alas, not the sound of music, unless the honking cacophony of the geese constitutes music to your ears. After circling the lake, it was down the steps and into the picnic area, around and across the stone bridge, for a traditional climb up Snake Hill and back to base. A word of warning here for future walkers, now that we’re using the visitor centre, be prepared to be greeted by some delicious smells coming from the Cuerden View Café, meaning [for some] the brews and biscuits afterwards may start to lose some of their lustre (?). It wouldn’t surprise me to see some people arranging to take lunch in the café after a walk, especially on a day like today, outside on the balcony with that stunning view. Michael’s wonderful photos and Amanda & Eileen’s comments bear testimony to just how beautiful the park’s beginning to look now, as well as being a treat for all the senses. Two very different walks this week, but each an absolute delight, and it must be a first that the larger group has ended up completing their walk before the smaller group twice in the same week (?). Many thanks for the time, trouble and effort of all our leaders, back markers, caterers, and to my fellow health walkers. My personal boxes have been well and truly ticked by everyone and everything!
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Some of the Elite group
saying goodbye at the end of the walk. Welcome back Zandra's it was her first walk for sometime
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.
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Today's walks
Today's walkers
Main Walk - Amanda, Barry, Bernadette, Bill, Colin D, Eileen, Elizabeth M, Graham, Ian, James, Joe H, John Mc, John W, Keith, Linda E, Linda P, Margaret, Michael S, Moira & Sheila T
Barn minding group - Carol R, Carole, Colin C, Jennifer J, Mary P, Muriel, Norman, Suzi & Zandra
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.
