As we were in the midst of a particularly hot spell with temperatures predicted to be 27 degrees at 7pm I was pleased that nine of our group turned up at Coal Aston Village Hall. As it happens there was a moderate breeze which helped enormously.
We started out through the wheat fields to meet cross lane and on to Nor Wood. As we crossed the river Moss we entered Long Wood but only for a brief time. It was then across fields to reach Hazelbarrow farm. After walking round the edge of the next field we reached our third wood, Newfield Spring Wood.
It was then a change of scenery as we reached our coffee stop, Dowey Lumb, a beautiful meadow noted for its variety of wild flowers and butterflies. No time for dawdling though as we still had 2 more woods to visit, the first being Owler Car Wood. At the far end of the wood it becomes Cook Spring Wood, our fifth and final wood. It’s possible that the last section of woodland walking touches on Whinacre Wood but I’m never quite sure where it starts.
The last mile of the walk, which is part of the Dronfield Hall Barn Round Walk, took us back to the car park. Thanks to everyone on the walk for making it a very pleasant evening.