First walk of the Winter programme:
Saturday 19th October 2019 Ridgeway – West Mosborough – Eckington
Today saw the start of our Winter Warmer Walking Programme when a party of 24 met at The Swan pub in Ridgeway for a six mile circular walk in the Lower Moss Valley. Led by Graham Gill, we set out for Eckington under a lightly overcast sky on a path near Ridgeway School that takes you up to Haven Farms 1 & 2.
From here it is generally downhill all the way to Eckington and we called briefly at The Mosborough Millenium Circle before continuing via Bridle Stile,Plumbley Lane, Cadman Wood and Ince Piece Wood. It was a little muddy in places but not too bad in spite of a wet two weeks previous. All the way down the sky was clearing and we arrived at the Church Farm Tea Garden in very pleasant sunshine. Jenny and her two waitresses (drafted in at short notice) did a great job serving us all with tea, coffee, cakes and scones and very nice it was too. After all paying and thanking them very much we set out on the return route which is flat at first through Twelve Acre Wood and Bowercinder Hill, then generally uphill back to Ridgeway. The sun was still shining and a few layers of clothing came off as we made our way back past Bushes Wood and Kent Wood to emerge on the main road and our starting point. Graham was thanked for a very enjoyable walk in nice weather. The walk was billed as “an opportunity for lunch” walk and 16 of us went in The Swan for some nice food and drinks. A good start to the winter programme!