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Nineteen Stramblers met at School Lane in Westhead and started off along Wigan Road and Crosshall Brow before turning on to a lane which took us through open fields. Buffeted by the wind, we were glad the rain held off. We passed through a small wood and took a footpath past St James Church on to Vicarage Lane. After about half a mile along the lane, we reached Ruff Wood and followed its edge to the Owl and Squirrel carvings. As we left the wood and crossed open land we were re-acquainted with the wind. I was glad my hat had a chin strap! The path took us back to Crosshall Brow and we crossed to reach Lady’s Walk. Dave pointed out some birch trees with bunches of twigs on their branches. I had thought these were birds nests, but he explained that they were known as Witch’s Brooms and were secondary growths caused by parasites but don’t harm the trees. The long, crushed brick path led downhill past a water treatment plant to Lathom Lane. Once across the lane we took a narrow path to Sandy Lane and followed it to the Keepers’ Lodge where we had a short break. We continued after the break along Cranes Lane past Ormskirk Golf Club. Further along the lane we saw some donkeys at Jack Leg’s Farm and an old VW Transporter motorhome. We turned on to Hall Lane past a “Historic Lathom” sign. A narrow pavement meant single file here. Further along we passed the NSG Testing Facility – part of Pilkington Glass’s research programme. After half a mile on this busy stretch, we took a wide track through fields. We saw three horses frolicking in one of the fields as we passed. Leaving the fields, we took a lane which led us downhill at first, then past a small lake and uphill towards the housing backing on to Wigan Road. We joined Wigan Road and soon reached the Prince Albert pub for our meal. The staff there did us proud and all agreed the food was superb.

Thanks to Anne, Judith and Sheila for organising, recce-ing and leading the walk, and organising the meal. Thanks to Anne for all the planning and organising throughout the year. Happy Christmas to all – see you next year.