Our route took us first on the upward track through the woodland; the sun which we first saw glinting tantalisingly through the trees would stay with us for the whole of the walk. The frost suited us as it had hardened the mud on wood and field paths, making the whole walk much less wet than feared. Our coffee stop was at the “pond” before we left the wood, going onward and upward to the field paths leading to Alderwasley, with panoramic views and Crich Stand now always in view until Whatstandwell.

After an early lunch stop at St Margaret’s Chapel, where there were enough seats for most of us, overlooking the hillsides, we took a succession of field paths to Whatstandwell, crossing the busy A6 to reach the canal path for the last two miles back to Ambergate. Sue.