Ashford-in-the-Water

ROUTE:   ASHFORD IN THE WATER, PENNYUNK LANE, MONSAL HEAD, LITTLE LONGSTONE, GREAT LONGSTONE, HARDRAKE LANE, LONGSTONE EDGE, BLACK PLANTAION, MOOR LANE, DALE FARM, THE PACKHORSE AT LITTLE LONGSTON,MONSAL TRAIL, THE BULL'S HEAD ASHFORD IN THE WATER.

Date: September 5th 2018

DISTANCE:  8 miles.

DIFFICULTY:  Easy peasy.

WEATHER:  Sunny with fluffy white clouds.

WANDERERS:  TOM, MARK, JULIAN, MICKY, JOCK.

LEADER (From the front.) TOM.

ROUTE  REDIRECTION OFFICER (Shouting loudly from the back) JOCK.

DIARIST:  JOCK.

START TIME: 10:00

FINISH TIME: 14:30

Having extracted Tom, Mark & Julian from the Ashford Tea Room we set off up Vicarage lane turning left up the short steep footpath leading up to then over the fields to Pennycunk Lane which brought us eventually to Monsal Head (11:30). Following the minor road to Little Longston we passed the Packhorse (11:35) and on reaching the gate after the last dwelling on the right we took the left of the two footpaths leading from the stiles on either side pausing at the concrete water trough for pie time. No one had any port on offer and it is fair to say that until this point no one had missed Harty. The path led us to the metropolis of Great Longston  leading us through the kid's playground and on to the Church where we followed the road sharp right to a walled lane on the left which zig zagged over the fields to join Hardrake Lane leading up to a multi pointing signpost where we turned left and up onto Longston edge. From thence it was an easy downhill stroll down Moor Lane turning sharp left at Black Plantation and eventually right for Dale Farm and over the fields back to Little Longston  reaching a very busy Packhorse at 12:45. Cannot comment on the form or price of the beer as I was drinking Carling Black Label which was in excellent form.

On leaving the pub we returned to the gate with the two stiles and took the right hand Monsal Trail path to where it turned left onto the disused railway and crossing this descended the steps to the field below stopping for pie time number two. From then on it was an easy stroll over the fields crossing Longston Lane and Ashford Lane to emerge onto Vicarage Lane back down to the cars to de-boot and head for the Bull's Head (14:30) where the beer was off and had to be changed (I should have stuck to the Carling !)

Next week's walk will start from Hathersage at 09:50 (meet in Oddfellows Lane, Hathersage, next to the swimming pool) with Tom leading for Stanage Edge and beyond (see him for details). Halfway pub usually not available so make provisions ! Wish I could be there but Kieran, Colin and I attending an old caving club friend's funeral.

HAPPY WANDERING.