Health Walk - Thursday 10th May 2018

Photos by Jen, Sheila T & Michael S - Please click on photos to see a larger one

Today we had thirty-five walkers and Eileen's dog.

James led the main walk with Elizabeth M back marking.  

Jen led the short option walk, her first as leader, with Suzi shadowing and Colin back marking

It was a sunny morning for the most part  

James introduced his special Bluebell Walk and set off down Snake Hill.  He led the walkers across the Stone Bridge and along the River Lostock to climb up into Gravel Hole Wood where

Photo 1                                                              Photo 2
they met the Health & Safety Group, with Michael S amongst them, coming down the path.

James' group had just passed this tree

Photo 3                                                               Photo 4                                                Photo 5
in blossom.  None of the H&S group knew what it was.

James continued through Gravel Hole Wood over the WI Bridge into Dog Kennel Wood where Sheila took these four photos:

Photo 6               Photo 7                    Photo 8                                          Photo 9
David led us round the front of Cuerden Hall and into James' Walk.  Coming out of James' Walk on to Sue Ryder Drive we turned into the Cinder Path.

Photo 10                                                               Photo 11
I took these as we, the H&S group, had headed up into Dog Kennel Wood moments earlier

James took them through the Kissing Gate, up into the Field and down the Steps to the Lake.

They walked round the Lake, down the Long Steps, across the Picnic Area, over the Stone Bridge and up into Walkers Wood, then Cock Cabin Wood.  Here he took a detour from the path to show the massed Bluebells over to the east of the wood.

Leaving Cock Cabin Wood again they rejoined the Cycle Track and headed for the Cinder Path.

At the south end of the Cinder Path he led the walkers over the wall into James' Path round the edge of Wilbraham's Wood where he presented his pièce de résistance, the massed Bluebells, which delighted everyone.

They left James' Path and went round the front of Cuerden Hall back to the Visitors Centre.

Everyone enjoyed his walk especially those who had made a special journey to take part.

Jen on her first walk as leader, shadowed by Suzi, followed the main group down Snake Hill but left them to go up into Walkers Wood.  Leaving the wood they returned down Bikers Hill and over the Stone Bridge, passing David B's group of school children, across the Picnic Area

Photo 12 - Jen
and up the Long Steps to the Lake.

Photo 13 - Jen
They walked round the Lake, delighted to see the goslings, to the place where they could see the Heron's nest and returned back along the Lake side

Photo 14 - Jen
to climb up into Dog Kennel Wood continuing through Gravel Hole Wood, leaving Gravel Hole Wood to cross the Wooden Bridge for the slog up Cardiac Hill.  Entering the Pinetum they took the first path up out of the Pinetum back to the Visitors Centre

   
Photo 15 - Jen          Photo 16 - Sheila
I don't know where these photos were taken

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 - Barbara F, Bernadette, Bill, Colin D, David H, Edward, Eileen P, Elizabeth M, Eric, Frankie, Graham, Helen G, Irene S, James, Jim, John W, Kerry, Margaret W, Michael S, Moira, Philip, Rabia with two guests, Sheila T

Elite group - Ann S, Colin C, Eileen P and her dog, Elizabeth H, Jen, Jennifer, Joyce, Julie S, Mary P, Suzi & Yvonne M

Compiled by Michael Swarbrick

Cinder Path                Cuerden Hall          Hawksclough Farmhouse                         Cam Lane             Lower Kem Mill

Cuerden Valley's Health Walk    Cock Cabin Wood   Cam Lane Cottage       Ponderosa

The Chorley Walks.