Our first walk of the new programme and of the new year started from the long lay-by between Dronfield and Unstone.
Despite the weather warnings caused by storm Henk, a creditable twelve walkers turned up for the walk. The first section of the walk took down Half Acre Lane, past Metapic wood and along Callywhite Lane where we entered Frith Wood. (It is with a heavy heart that I refer to the wood as “Frith” and not “Firth” because all through my childhood it was known as “Firth”, nevertheless you have to change with times don’t you)
Sue, the walk leader, had wisely plotted a route that was mainly along good tracks and quiet roads but our path through the woods gave an indication of just how saturated the fields were after days, nay weeks of rainfall. Continuing along Summerley bottom road we turned up to Apperknowle where we had a brief stop for refreshments on the tables over the road from the Travellers.
Our return leg of the walk took us along the road through Hundall, taking a track off on the left to bring us out close to Ramshaw Lodge. We then joined the Unstone Line via the Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall. It was on the upper boardwalk just before reaching Half Acre Lane we were stopped in our tracks by water running off the hills that had turned the footpath into a river. After pausing to consider our options we found a safe route through the undergrowth to the Lane.
Thanks to Sue for leading us safely on what proved to be an eventful but enjoyable walk.
