Wednesday, 12th December 2012

 

Walk: Healey Nab, White Coppice, Wheelton Plantation, Higher Wheelton
Start Point: Chorley Library Grid Ref: SD 583 177
Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 1,160 feet
Weather: Dry and frosty, very cold Time: 5 hours
Comments: After taking the bus into Chorley, using my NOW Card, I headed up to Healey Nab before crossing the fields to White Coppice. Taking the all terrain track by the River Goit I made my way to Wheelton Plantation where the autumn colours I had seen here on my last visit had disappeared. I then followed a new route to Higher Wheelton before descending to cross the canal. My route then took me past Denham Hall and through the tunnel under the M61. From here it was a familiar route through the houses and home.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Passing an un-named reservoir . . .

 

the ducks opt for a spot of ice skating

 

A frosty scene as I look back to Chorley

 

Heading for White Coppice, Great Hill can be seen in the distance

 

Entering White Coppice . . .

 

the effects of the sun can be seen in this garden

 

Ruins in Wheelton Plantation . . .

 

where one side is an open area with a vaulted ceiling . . .

 

and windows through to . . .

 

another space with concrete stall dividers . . .

 

and what looks like a fireplace

 

Closing in on the frost . . .

 

as I cross the golf course

 

Getting pretty close to . . .

 

the M61 . . .

 

then heading beneath it . . .

 

via a tunnel

 

Millstones similar to these were quarried out of the Whittle Hills for many centuries . . .

 

and after the Lancaster Canal was opened and a link made with the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Johnsons Hillock in 1816, millstones were dispatched worldwide

 

This millstone was was found when a cutting was made in the disused canal basin

 

Lots of berries still around . . .

 

for the birds to have a Christmas feast

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