Thirteen walkers gathered in the long lay-by between Dronfield and Unstone on an overcast Thursday evening. Our walk leader Graham had re-planned his walk to take in the woods and fields on the other side of B6057 rather than the Drone side.
We started out with a steady uphill from the main road to Ouzle bank cottage where we stopped briefly to check out the information board pointing out the landmarks on the horizon. We then crossed the field, keeping well away from the herd of cows. At the far end of the field we continued on the tried and tested path but then took a narrow path heading up into the wood, passing through Black Piece. By now the rain, predicted on the BBC website but not on the Met Office, had set in but spirits were still high.
Just before the by-pass we turned to the right and followed the track running parallel to the by-pass. Before the path turned down towards the curly bridge we turned right again, heading for Bull Close Farm. On reaching the farm we turned left towards Highfield rather than continue on the footpath back towards Ouzle Bank. We then skirted Hallows Golf Course, stopping to admire the impressive club house (Hallows Hall). A brief spell of urban walking took us to the fields directly opposite the lay-by where we had parked.
Many thanks to Graham for leading us round. Some of the paths were new to me which made it all the more interesting.
