Wednesday 22 December 2021

Duffield Church

Leader: Jane H.

10 walkers, starting at Duffield church car park, a little later than usual due to some Christmas preparations. Although we started at 10.20 it was still very cold with frozen ground. There was not a breath of wind, so it remained grey and chilly all day. The walk was well known to some of us old hands, as a walk that Gerry White did during winter.

We walked over the River Derwent, which is still quite full. The path to the Paper Mill, below Eden Bank, was frosty. On, through the woods to Little Eaton, where we walked around the playing fields, then through the industrial estate, walking beside a small length of the Little Eaton Canal, with some water in it, this used to connect to the Derby Canal. Passing under the A38 by the tunnel. Then to walk the fields to the outskirts of Breadsall, where we turned north, up the hill. Misty but good views of Derby to the south. When we got to the Morley Lane, we turned west along it for a while leaving it to follow the footpath across the golf course. Lots of golfers enjoying a pre-Christmas game. Lunch as soon as we reached the woods of Moor Plantation.

Through the woods to the track, at Morley Carr, which used to be pitted with puddles and tyre marks, when it was open to traffic. Now gated, it was an easy and pleasant way. Turn right and under the A38 again using another pedestrian tunnel. Over the Bottle Brook, then to follow The Centenary Way, turning up into Eaton Park woods and across the fields to the long steps down to the Bridge Inn Duffield. Why are these fields always, soggy even in the summer!

A very pleasant 7 mile walk in good company and we made a good time. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE Jane.