Health Walk - Thursday 31st January 2019   

Photos by Michael S & Eileen P - Please click on photos to see a larger one!

Today we had twenty-four walkers and Paddy.  Considering the conditions this was a good turnout.

A crisp sunny morning walk

James was the leader of the main walk with Sheila back marker.  

John B led the Elite group with David H and Colin C back markers.  

I arrived early so had a look round

Photo 1
the verandah

Photo 2                                                                 Photo 3                                                   Photo 4  
and over the balcony

Photo 5   
John B: "Short walk, the Elite group, 11 walkers including 2 new ones.  We set off down Snake Hill ahead of the long walkers, then stood aside to let them pass.  Great minds, or whatever, both groups turned left at the gate

Photo 6   
and crossed the front of the Hall.  We circled around the stable block and emerged onto Berkeley Drive.  Left up the drive and used the path to cut through towards the Walled Orchard and descended Cardiac Hill. Patches of snow provided ample grip for appropriate footwear.  Right along the cycle track to turn left up to Gravel Hole Wood and then through to Dog Kennel Wood.  We knew the ramp to the bridge was icy, so continued along the reservoir to descend the long steps.  Back to the Stone Bridge and ascent of Snake Hill.  Any icy patches were avoidable to the side. "

Photo 7                                                     Photo 8 - Eileen
The main group following the path round the front of the Hall, now ahead of the Elite group

Photo 9
They left the Hall car park and and started along James' Bluebell Walk but it will soon be the 'James' Daffodil Walk'.

Photo 10 
Looking back on Sheila's tree

Photo 11                                                           Photo 12
Still on James' Walk Michael liked the trees on the right

Photo 13                                                            Photo 14
A little further on Sheila was fascinated by the tree stump

Photo 15
Coming out on to the Cinder Path, climbing over the wall is not as easy as it used to be

Photo 16
Coming up on to the Cycle Path, thinking the bridge over the M6 looked attractive for once

Photo 17                                                          Photo 18
Turning right on to the Cycle Path and setting off for Walkers Wood

Photo 19 - Eileen    
Which they are just about to enter

Coming out of Walkers Wood they guardedly walked down Bikers Hill to cross the Stone Bridge on to Cam Lane

Photo 20                                                             Photo 21                                                 Photo 22  
The Ford, no they didn't walk through it we just admired it from the bridge and the path

They continued up the Slope and started round the Lake

Photo 23                                                             Photo 24 
Seagulls on an island?

Photo 25                                                              Photo 26   
Yes, reminded me of the Brexit controversy - are we in or out?

We continued round the eastern Lake, through the Kissing Gate and up the Steps to Cam Lane again

Photo 27     
up the Steps to Cam Lane again

Photo 28     
What are they looking at?  Walking towards Hawks Clough and turning up past the Ponderosa and leaving Cam Lane to head

Photo 29                                                          Photo 30
for the Cow field

Photo 31
nearing the new Kissing Gate

Photo 32                                                            Photo 33                                                 Photo 34
Now the leaves have fallen you can see the Visitors Centre, the Hall is always visible over the tree tops

Photo 35 
The new Kissing Gate

Photo 36                                                            Photo 37                                                 Photo 38
Down the steps into the Cow Field enjoying the views and the crisp snow - someone said that walking on new snow was very satisfying

Photo 39
the new kissing gate at the bottom of the field, down to the Cycle Path and

Photo 40     
over the Wooden Bridge, up Cardiac Hill into the Pinetum and up the side back to the Visitors Centre 

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 >>.

Thanks to John B and Eileen P for supplying information and photos.

Compiled by Michael Swarbrick

Cam Lane
Cam Lane Cottage
The Chorley Walks
Cinder Path
Cock Cabin Wood
Cuerden Hall
Cuerden Valley's Health Walk
Hawksclough Farmhouse
Jenny Greenteeth
Park
Pinetum
Ponderosa
Visitors Centre