Morley Hayes

Friday 28 March 2025

5.8 miles Leader Derek S.

Weather 14°C. sunny breezy at times.

No on walk 26 + 2 Dogs

Another great turnout for one of Derek’s walks, which went exactly as advertised, although Derek was worried about one particular path, which occasionally had a closed sign on it, for ongoing work. He had a ‘plan b’, but stuck to the original recce’d walk, when we found that the path was now open, it was the one leading down, from Horsley Carr and under the A38. To get to this point we had made our way off the A608, going past Morleymoor Farm onto Quarry Road, north for a short way, then onwards to Brackley Gate. Now we followed the boundary line, betwixt Erewash and Amber Valley, eventually passing under the aforementioned bridge.

We stopped on the bed of the Little Eaton to Ripley former railway track, soon to be a greenway, for our morning break. After which, we headed towards Little Eaton, turning to cross over the B6179 and gradually ascend, to Moor Plantation, going over the golf course, to exit onto the road at Priory Cottages. We now headed for Morley Alms Houses, turning left just before they came into view. Our way now was clear, a straight line to Morleymoor Farm, then to join our outward track, back to the cars parked in the lay by. Many signs of spring, with many wild flowers bursting forth, especially noticeable were the hedgerows, of Blackthorn, Hawthorn and the everlasting bright yellow of Gorse, which always seems to be in flower.

A walk with just a few gradients and even fewer stiles, enabled us to keep a fair pace to suit all and arrive back around the time advertised. Thanks Derek, well planned and executed.