AGGIE ?? YES SAID A LOCAL !

ADLINGTON < 7 Miles

WALKERS :-  Anthony, John W, Paddy, Vic,
                        Jim C, David, Martin, Danny

Initially our walk was thought to be through virgin territory but we were to be proved wrong. 

As we drove through Adlington, came the cry -- "We've missed the turn. Go back !"   Not an uncommon occurrence but we soon found our starting point and parked next to a lovely little commemorative garden close to the canal. 

 

As we joined the canal a local couple were feeding the ducks with their grandson and confirmed that the name used by older residents of Adlington was indeed "Aggie".

Walking along the canal we were amused to see an apparently outstretched hand coming out of the water "asking" for help.

As no-one would volunteer to dive in and investigate we moved on .

A little further on the canal crossed a small but surprisingly deep valley we thought might be the river Yarrow.   We were to encounter this aqueduct much later in our walk from an entirely different point of view. On we went passing the curiously named "Aberdeen Bridge" and soon arrived at the next bridge. This bridge gave dire warnings for those in the group with less than sylph-like profiles

 They were not, however, kidding !

We now we left the canal in search of a cycle track which followed the path of a defunct railway line. Mr Beeching was congratulated for providing us with such a useful walkers facility.  But first  - COFFEE TIME  (of course)

Jim C looks rather less than comfortable ??? 

As do all those who sit on the fence ! 

This cool, level track lent itself to  easy walking.

This in turn helped us make steady progress towards our next target,  the moated hall, which was the clubhouse for "Wigan Golf Club"  but first...

 



























As we followed the old railroad we passed under a rather handsome bridge before arriving at the one at which we left the track. Here we had to climb the Thirty Steps (Not 39 ... and why did someone say we had to count them ? and more to the point. Why did we ? )  up to the farm track. 

Less than ten minutes later we reached the truly magnificent clubhouse of Wigan Golf Club - complete with equally magnificent moat.

From here the track turned sharply to the right in a circular sweep which echoed the outlines of the moat. We passed the rather grand outbuildings and crossed a corner of the golf course itself.

In the picture above the reader will see the edge of the wood into which the track was dropping. Immediately on entering the wood the track forked and became two narrow paths . To the left the path would continue for some distance before dog-legging back to a bridge over the small river, We chose the one to the right,also leading to the bridge, but which was shorter, steep, deeply incised and in places quite tricky.

At the bottom of this steep path was a bridge overshadowed by some monumental old trees. This appeared to be a very ancient woodland.

It was at this point as we turned left and walked away from the bridge that we began to realise we had trod this track before. Just ahead of us soon appeared the waters of Worthington Lakes,

Looks as if this part of the path can get wet at times.

At the end of the above path a style  took us onto a more open path which itself rapidly opened  onto the banks of the reservoir. Lunchtime was upon us and attractive banks (and a seat) invited us to stop here.  We did !

The spot was ideal. Water both before and behind us with fish to watch in the shallows and, for us, the rare sighting of a pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying in the distance. (two pairs of binoculars and a monoscope) allowed us to identify the distant birds,

Whilst there Paddy showed his "Green" environmentally consciousness by clearing litter.

Lunch over we left the raised causeway and retraced our steps the few yards back into the woodland. It now became  clear that we had indeed walked along this part of the route before. No problem it was well worth walking again. 

From his point the map showed a footpath leading straight to the Chorley road along which we had planned to walk.  No such footpath appeared before us. We were obliged to follow the banks of the reservoir in the opposite direction.  After about half a mile the path split with the main track still following the the bank but a set of steps led upwards away from the waters edge and towards the road.  Being brave, adventurous types (Stop that laughing !)  we followed the mystery path. What a "Serendipity". It took us into the manicured grounds of a sumptuous hotel.

We followed the neat paths through the grounds, stopping briefly to talk to the gardeners who were planting the borders. Out through the Hotels impressive front gates and onto the Chorley road. We were somewhat further away from Adlington than we had intended. No worries. It was a lovely day and we were enjoying the walk.

We followed the narrow footpath along this busy road for perhaps a kilometre before leaving it to pass Adlington Hall Farm 

 

 A strange Egyptian style gate post and a strange.........?

  and a large herd of tan coloured cattle.

Once past the farm  we crossed a couple of fields before arriving at a minor road but we  first (in shorts) had to negotiate a nettle FILLED stretch of footpath. "After you Jim" we all. said. Jim was in  l-o-n-g-s .

Ow !  Ouch !  Ow !

Again we entered woodland as we headed back towards the canal and once again passing a point we had visited on a previous walk.

Water again as this time we followed neither the edge of a lake nor the towpath of a canal but a busy, splashing brook (river ?)

As the woodland ended our way became unclear so we stopped for our final coffee break.

As we approached the canal once more buzzards circled above us,  Did they know something we should know ? Earlier in the blog I mentioned the aqueduct that we should see again later and here it was before us. Previously we had walked on top of it . Now we were walking below it.

Just before the aqueduct, steps led upwards. This time only 14 but they were big ones. Back on the canal now and the walk back to the cars.

Once back at the cars John W invited the group into the  memorial garden where cake (Baked by "The Boss" ) was distributed. 

This was washed down with glasses of Martins shandy and....... Cringe! Cringe !  "Happy Birthday" was sung... out loud........ in a public place.  Thank you. but so embarrassing.
Here we are eating Victoria sponge under the gaze of the queen herself.

Eating Victoria sponge (cream and jam filled) in the garden.

A statue of Queen Victoria on a house next to the garden

In the cars and off to home but not before the glorious leader, whom you will remember didn't spot the turn as we arrived , once again briefly led the chauffeur astray.

A surprisingly good walk. with lots of variety.

Some More Photos :-