Euxton, Dec17th
Walk Leader: Andrew Whittaker
No on walk: 21 + 3 dogs
Distance: 8.5 miles
Weather: Dry and sunny
A shorter and more leisurely walk than normal was planned in order to avoid the atrocious underfoot conditions locally and so that we had time for refreshments after the walk.
There were 21 folks (including Roger and Sally for their very first LDWA walk) and two dogs who met up at Andrew and Teresa Whittaker's home at The Croft in Euxton. There had been torrential rain recently but we set off in perfect dry and bright winter weather which was ideal for walking and lasted for the whole walk.
We first headed South through Ransnap Woods and then followed Ransnap Brook to the A49 which we followed before entering the memorial Millennium Green. This is in what were the grounds of the 18th century Euxton Hall, now housing a private hospital. We carried on through woods before leaving to join the highway to take us over the M6 and shortly after heading South towards the River Yarrow. We followed the path easterly along the banks of the Yarrow and under the M6 before briefly rejoining A49 and then heading East along German Lane though woods, then past the quarries and joining Common Lane to take us past Chorley quarries and sewage facilities which took us close to the southerly entrance to Astley Park.
We strolled around the some of the trails in the park before a lunch break overlooking the lake with fountains and lots of birdlife. We were almost in the shadow of Astley Hall, opened in 1630 and now owned by the town of Chorley and which has a museum and art gallery. We had a quick look at the park's walled garden and memorials before heading West mainly along country lanes but also over some very soggy fields. We crossed the West Coast mainline via the footbridge which leads in to Euxton Parish Church grounds and then retraced the first part of our walk along the valley of Ransnap Brook and back to The Croft. We had managed to avoid too many soggy fields for a relatively leisurely 8.5 mile walk.
Whilst we were walking, Teresa Whittaker had been at home busy preparing pies and peas and refreshments for the walkers - many thanks to her. We had a very sociable ending to this walk which was the last Tuesday walk of 2019.
Best wishes for Christmas and Happy New Year to all at LDWA.
Andrew Whittaker
To see the other photos please press Here
