Walk Leader: Andrea Foster

Number on walk: 17

Distance: 11.5 miles

Weather: No rain! Cloud clearing as the day went on.

17 of us met by the lake at the Three Sisters nature reserve. I had feared it would be 'just me' standing there with no friends, as the rain was quite heavy first thing. There was a brief 'speech' on a bit of mining history of the area, then we followed the path away from the lake at Three Sisters to a wooded track round the side of the racetrack and up a small incline.  We encountered a nervous horse with thankfully a competent rider on it and continued to the top. From here we took in views of Wigan and Rivington in the distance and the surrounding areas. 

The route included aspects of walks 4 and 5 of the 'Jubilee legacy walks' available to view and download from Wigan councils website. The Leeds Liverpool canal (Leigh branch) connects the two nature reserves (Three Sisters and Pennington flash) together. There are informative information boards along the way.

From here it was down the hill and a very flat walk over a little bridge and through into Viridor woods.  After more drizzle and another downpour, thankfully the weather cleared up.

Crossing over the A58 and continuing through the other side of Viridor woods we went under the railway bridge and across a field and small lake. This led to a little wooden bridge and to a sadly run down pub called Dover Lock, shortly to be demolished due to a recent fire. Here we met the canal and a small 'speech' followed regards the building of the Leeds Liverpool canal.

The route then followed the Leigh branch of the Leeds Liverpool canal passing the Plank lane swing bridge and the recently built new flats and houses at Pennington wharf.  Just before 12 we stopped for drinks on what is known as the 'Pennington flash bench' and took in the view from the canal over the lake. 

We left the canal and after another little 'speech' regards the area we walked to Pennington flash, having to backtrack slightly at one point due to a totally flooded path. Work is currently underway to build a new visitor center and cafe here. Every year the famous Iron man competition starts here for those brave or mad enough to partake. 

At around 12.30 we stopped for lunch. Shockingly we found the temporary toilets normally available here had been destroyed by fire and vandalism over the weekend. There was a butty van and an ice-cream van and plenty of benches by the lake to sit and have our lunch. We all enjoyed the fresh breeze and views over the lake.

After lunch, our route back followed a slightly different path round the lake and connecting back to the canal at the swing bridge and back to the Dover lock pub. Oh how I wish it was still open.

From here we used the same connecting field leading back to Viridor woods. We used a different path on our return through the woods back to Three Sisters where some of us were lucky enough to see the fairies and their log cabin accommodation amid the trees.

We clocked 11 and a half miles in total.

Thank you so much to everyone who attended and thank you for making me feel so welcome as a relatively new person to the group. Regards Andrea Foster 

Photos can be seen 'here'