Fulwood. Tanterton. Cottam. 5.5 miles Walkers, Anthony Vic Martin Paddy and Danny

This weeks walk began from Wychnor in Fulwood, under an overcast sky.

At the end of Wychnor we turned right onto the appropriately named Walker Lane. 

Immediately after the last house on Walker Lane, a path on our left led into open countryside.

Continuing straight ahead the path led into a small wood with a broad concrete path. The purpose of this broad path was a mystery
as leading into and out of the wood are only grass paths.

This is the path out of the wood, which we followed until it intersected with a hard gritty path, at which juncture we went left and continued until we reached a metal gate on our right. Going through the gate we turned right following the path that skirted a building site on it's left.

At the end of the path we turned left then sharp right to arrive at Tanterton Hall Road. Crossing over the road just to the right, a path led us along the edge of common grassland which in turn led to open parkland on the right. Keeping to the path we came to a
metal barrier for keeping bikes out. Negotiating our way round the barrier we entered Pool House Lane. At the end of the lane we turned left onto Tag Lane, then after about 200 yds turned right onto Cottam Hall Lane, which took us to the underpass below
Tom Benson Way.

Rising up at the other side of the underpass brought us into Cottam. Keeping straight ahead the path comes to an end at a gate.
Going through the gate, another gate about 40 yds further on. on the left leads onto the Guild Wheel cycle route.

Keeping to the Guild Wheel, a short walk brought us to an open area with seats, where we could social distance while we had our morning brew.

Continuing along the Guild Wheel we arrived at a junction of paths where either of two paths leading left can be taken to come out on Cottom Way. Crossing the road, turning left then right we
carried on following the Guild Wheel. On reaching the bridge over the Lancaster Canal with the U.C.L.A.N Sports Arena on our right
we carried straight on. After a short distance the Guild Wheel turns off to the right, but we continued straight ahead along a dirt track which went downhill into a wooded area.

Coming up out of the wood after a little way a path off to the left
led under Tom Benson Way and onto the canal tow path, where we turned right.

The first bridge we come to is Cottam Hall Lane where we leave the canal and turn right, following the lane until we arrived at the
gates leading into Haslam Park.

Entering the park we headed for the lake where we had lunch. What looks like crazy paving in the foreground, is in fact algae on the lake. After lunch we walked to the west end of the lake and crossed a bridge over the outlet stream from the lake. Following the path alongside the stream, after passing some allotments to our right, a branch path off to the right was followed which took us to another bridge over the canal.

Crossing over the bridge we turned right onto Bexhill Road then second left down Hillcrest Avenue. At the end of the avenue we crossed over Tag Lane and down Oaktree Avenue. We took a left along Mayfield Avenue then after about 50 yds turned right through a cycle barrier and along a path between the houses. At the end of the path we took a dog leg to the right then straight ahead down Lower Greenfield, at the end of which is a path straight ahead between the houses.

Along the path, down some flagged steps, through a gate.....

.....over a bridge and we are once again in woodland. Keeping to the main path we climbed a flight of wooden edged steps. Still keeping to the main path we followed it up out of the wood into daylight but not for long, we soon re-entered woodland. Before very far the path turned uphill where we had a choice of steps or a bit further on a slope led in the same direction. At the top of the slope was a gate leading onto Walker Lane.  

We turned left following the perimeter fence of Greyfriars estate. The road wound it's way up hill before dropping down steeply into a valley where stood a white house, proudly advertising it's construction date in bold numbers of 1842, to anyone who happens to pass by. To the rght of the house was Sharoe Brook. To the right of the brook was a footpath leading yet again into more woodland.

We followed the footpath skirting the brook as it passed through the wood. Spotting some felled trees, providing seating we felt another brew stop coming on. just to recharge our batteries you understand ready for the last leg, as one or two were on their last legs. Batteries charged we continued following the brook until we came to the first bridge crossing it. Here we left the main path crossed the bridge then climbing the path leading up out of the valley we emerged into Manor Court, at the end of which it tee'd
into Wichnor, where we turned left and were soon back at the cars.
DK