Duffield, Eyes Meadow
Wednesday 13 April 2022
7.6 miles Leader: David d.
Weather. 12°C. Damp to start, sunny later
No. on walk 29
Howard planned and mapped this route, but unfortunately, at the last minute, was unable to lead it. So, it wasn’t my magnetism that drew such a large number to Eyes Meadow, as nobody knew about my offer to step in until they arrived in the excellent car park. We did the usual health and safety formalities and assured the attentive crowd that Howard had done the recce’ the previous week.
We followed the route, that Howard had provided, out alongside the Ecclesbourne Valley rail station and into Chapel Street. We then headed out of the village along the Hazelwood Road, as far as the cemetery and then took the path to go up and over the golf course. After a very steep climb we gained North Lane, stopping along it to have a breather and an earlier morning break. Onward now, along the Chevin, with excellent views over the ever-expanding Belper, construction works quite visible from our vantage point. We walked on through Farnah Green, taking the Midshires Way, to the junction with Lumb Lane, turning left here to follow the unmade section of the lane to eventually join the tarmac surfaced part and on into Hazelwood. The sun began to show itself a little as we crossed over, Over Lane, onto the path that passes west of the church, village hall and sports complex. Several severe stiles along this stretch which made it slow going. We re-grouped on Nether Lane, then a downhill stretch to Firs Farm, taking the easterly path by it and soon found a sunny spot for our lunch break. It remained sunny for the rest of the walk.
With a good lunch break behind us, we completed the rest of this east bound path, turning right to go downhill and cross over the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway line, one more field and we joined the Centenary Way, following it back into the newer part of Duffield, then to follow the River Ecclesbourne as it wends its way into the village. Here, we walked the main street as far as the Wirksworth Road, a well-marked footpath, on the left, led us directly back into the car park all done and dusted by twenty past two.
