19 walkers set off from the car park at Whittle le Woods.  Through the tunnels under the disused Walton Summit branch of the Leed Liverpool canal and then the M61.  Everyone behaved and no one fell in.  Making our way up the hill to the canal proper at the Top Lock, we were passed by a runner coming down the hill and then two speeding cyclists.  Next thing behind us, crash, bang and ouch!  One of the cyclists and the runner go flying, many grazes and some possible breakages.  We stop to assist where we can, as an ambulance is called.  Having made the injured as comfortable as we can and with nothing else we can do to help, we leave them to await an ambulance, a possible 3-4 hour estimate.

On our way again along the canal, we are soon in the midst of more drama!  This time a cyclist and a dog walker have some colourful words to say to each other, swiftly joined by a boat owner.  Popped his head out from his shutters to join in with the swearing, just for his own entertainment, disappearing back into his boat as quickly as he appeared!  Luckily the rest of the canal was far less exciting, though rather pretty on a lovely sunny day.  The horses were out on Horse Bridge and lots of swans with their cygnets. 

We left the canal at Riley Green where we had morning break.  After a brief section of the River Darwen, we returned to the canal for the final section taking us into Cherry Tree.  Thoroughly done with canals, we head into Witton Park and up through Pleasington, back to the River Darwen.  Lunch is had by the river at Hoghton Bottoms.

After lunch, it's uphill, round the back of Hoghton Tower, eventually reaching the front to admire the view up the driveway. And the 'keep' of the walk title.  After passing around the church at Hoghton, we reach the 'bramble' sections.  Thankfully, since the recce, the very helpful landowners had cleared most of the stiles and gates, with only a quick tidy from me and my secateurs.  This made our escape from the field of giddy cows, thankfully, swifter than it might have been.  On through Brindle and back under the motorway for a final time, before taking 'Linear Park', parallel to the A6, back to the cars.

Thank you to everyone who came today and made it a most enjoyable walk.  And put up with my endless head counting!

Caz x

PS I had had a dream earlier in the week that 200 people had turned up for the walk.  We didn't get anywhere because I couldn't get everyone to fill in the register or stay still for a head count.  So thank you also to the 181 that didn't turn up!  I had quite enough excitement.

PPS I am never going near the Top Lock again, on a previous visit at night there was a car on fire and many firemen who were slightly baffled by our appearance from the darkness with head torches!  Too much drama for me.  It shall be avoided!

PPS (last one, promise) A note to anyone considering leading a walk, things I was reminded of along the way - A walk doesn't have to be super exciting for everyone to enjoy the day; there will always be a path that is new to someone.  And as a walk leader, you may be the one leading the way, but everyone is there to support you and help out.