Friday 16 August 2024
4.5 miles Leader John M.
Weather 17°C. Fine
No. on walk 24
Another new venue for us to start from, by kind permission of management of The Dog PH, for the use of their car park and I note many of the group today retired inside for some much-needed refreshment on completion of the walk, which was at twelve-thirty. Our first work of the day was to climb the many steps leading up to the churchyard of St. Matthews parish church, following the path that runs through it, out into the grassy fields at the west end. After heading west for a couple of fields and over an awkward stile, we were rewarded with some fantastic views over, best described as the A610 corridor (pictured). We then walked southwards along the hillside, coming to a stop whilst John gave us some historical information about the Amber Mill, now in view below us. A water mill has stood here since Saxon times, of course replaced many times to the one we see today. A mill no longer, but still of use as a water powered electricity generator which has been installed in the mill pond, providing power for the residents there and no doubt supplying surplus energy to the National Grid. We crossed the busy Oakerthorpe road, to walk over a hump shaped foot bridge and then a stroll along the meadows beside the beautiful River Amber. We climbed the hill to pass by Lodge Hill Farm and to Tithe Farm, turning south before it to reach the Bridle Way, stopping here for our morning break. We walked on to Boden Farm and then followed a very narrow road to Coalburn Farm and onto Weir Farm. It was on this very minor road we met a massive articulated unit and trailer, the driver who, not only had he met up with a group of twenty -four ramblers, but a car as well. The vehicle stopped whilst we passed, carefully by, aware of the trailer to one side and the Nettles on the other. The car then reversed; I would imagine a good distance to allow the H.G.V. to pass. We now, after re-crossing the Oakerthorpe Road, headed up to Coneygrey Farm, then to follow a good track back to Pentrich, crossing over the former Roman Road, Ryknild Street, which we had crossed earlier with John giving us, details of its use, where and what it was used for. Now just a line on the map and somewhere deep beneath our feet, one can only imagine the route as it made its way along the hilltops in the straightest possible line. Suddenly, there was habitation, Pentrich, the outskirts of this very pretty village and we soon made our way past pretty floral displays in the front gardens of the houses leading back to The Dog public house. Thanks John. Great day.
