Walk Leaders: Christine and Andrea

Number on the walk: 14

Distance: 14 miles

Weather: mainly dry

Starting off outside the Charnley arms pub on Arbour lane in Standish, 13 (lucky for some) of us set out with with cheer. Today's walk was based on a booklet called "The Standish Way"... following the boundary line of the parish of Standish with some local history thrown in. The walk was adapted slightly to avoid alot of the road walking.

Heading down Almond Brook road we turned right to meet Old Pepper lane and cut across to the public footpath leading to Thompson House (also a cafe known as My life).

Continuing on passing a solar panel farm we came to Langtree old hall farm and crossed the A49 to continue on the public footpath, along side a stream towards Hic Bibi nature reserve.

Near here is a stone with Hic Bibi written on it to mark the spot of an ancient Hic Bibi Well... Roughly translated from Latin as "drink here". As we learned from the Standish Way booklet, the land was originally owned by Monks from Cocker sands abbey. 

We then headed away from the stream and followed the path over a railway bridge and over Chorley Road leading to Worthington lakes and through Arley wood, emerging at the side of Wigan golf course and a nosey at the moat there and a solitary black swan.

From here we soon met the Leeds Liverpool canal and followed this until bridge 61 where rested for lunch. 

After lunch we left the canal and followed Sennicar lane and over the river Douglas and briefly up A49 and down Walter Scott avenue diverting off through Gidlow cemetery, that leads to a wooded path at the back of Beech hill Housing estate and emerges at Standish lower ground. From here it was down to the Leeds Liverpool canal again. 

The tow path has recently been renewed and consequently in great condition. We followed this up to a footbridge opposite the Crooke village pub where we rested enjoying a drink and canal views from the seating outside. 

From here we walked through Crooke village and the marina learning a little bit of history regards the village along the way.

Then meeting sometimes muddy paths and fallen trees we passed through Burley and Elnup wood and returned to Arbour lane. A few of us stopped for a drink at the Charnley arms pub.

Thank you to all who joined today's walk and to Gaynor and John for taking some photos. A very enjoyable and mostly dry day. Hope to see you soon. Christine and Andrea.