5th JANUARY 2019
The midway point in our Winter Warmer Walks programme, and the first walk of the New Year saw Graham Gill lead a party of 34 walkers on a 5¼ mile circular walk to Barlow Fishing Ponds and back. Setting out at 10.00am from Pentland Road Shops it was a nice morning weather wise, with just a light overcast sky and no wind. On the outward route we crossed Sindelfingen Park and continued via Kitchen Wood and Cartledge. As there were some new faces on the walk (potential new members), our Chairman Richard handed out some membership forms at one of the regrouping stops near to Cartledge Hall, where Graham had given some snippets on it’s history. We crossed two tricky stone step stiles near here, but both were negotiated safely as the men gave the ladies a helping hand over. Onwards and downwards to Brindwoodgate where we turned left for the short but steep climb up to Dobbin Lane. From here we took the path through the wood near Lees Plantation to reach the ponds for our coffee stop. There are a few seats here overlooking the top pond, but with a party of 34 it was standing room only for some. Never mind, it is such a lovely spot and Eileen handed round some ‘Christmas’ chocolates for good measure! For the return leg we walked down past the other ponds and café to Lee Bridge and took the path left along Galloping Chase to Barlow Lees Lane which we followed for about 400 yards to a path on the left. Across the fields to Cowley Lane where we turned right and about 400yards again to Cherry Tree Farm where we took the path left. It was then right, over the footbridge and up to ‘Tellytubby Hill’ for a group photo. It was then back across Sindelfingen Park to the start point where 12 of the group went for lunch and a few others for drinks in the Jolly Farmer. Hardly any mud and a very pleasant day weather wise for early January – a perfect start to the New Year. Two pics from Graham, the rest from me (Richard S)
