Monday 17th June, postponed from Tuesday 11th
UNSTONE LINE & PEAK RESORT WALK
Just four members –Joe Kelsall, Richard Armstrong, Eileen and Graham Gill – turned up for this walk which was rearranged from the previous Tuesday due to heavy rain. The weather forecast for the day was a bit mixed but it turned out to be fine, which made for a very enjoyable walk. Starting off down Halfacre Lane we then picked up the Unstone Line near the site of the former Summerley Colliery. On reaching the Unstone end, Joe decided on a detour due to reports of a temporary path closure near Ramshaw Lodge. We turned left and walked along Crow Lane to the junction with Hundall Lane where we then took the path alongside Top Stony Field. We then turned right past Woodsmithies Farm to rejoin our route at Ramshaw Wood, then down and under the railway viaduct following the River Drone to Unstone Green. As we crossed the field at the side of the Horse & Jockey we saw a lovely display of wild orchids with both Southern Marsh and Common Spotted varieties. A coffee stop was taken at the entrance to the Peak Resort site before we set off clockwise around the perimeter path. Graham then pointed out a Green Helleborine, another type of quite rare orchid at the side of the path. As we continued round a Buzzard was seen circling alongside the Dronfield Bypass. It was then up and over the climb through the wood, and then left to Ouzlebank Cottage where there were great views of the Crooked Spire, Bolsover Castle and a distant Hardwick Hall. Dropping down the fields towards Unstone Hall we saw several Swifts and House Martins collecting insects over the crop fields and hay meadows. A lovely sight! We also got a great view of a Yellowhammer posing on a hedgerow as we dropped down. It was then past the Hall and down the lane to the main road and left back up to the lay-by. It was a pity more members weren’t able to make this very pleasant walk – they missed a good one, with all the recent rain. Apologies for the lack of photos – Graham forgot his camera – Dohhh!