Ashford-in-the-Water

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.

June 12, 2019

DISTANCE:  8 miles.

DIFFICULTY:  Easy 

WEATHER:  Light rain, drizzle and dry with heavy cloud

WANDERERS:  Jock with Tip, Andy Blease, John Jones, Alastair Cairns

APPOLOGIES: Tom Cunliffe (post-operative state) Julian Ross (filial duties) Mike Barrett (sailing in Turkey) Alan Hart (hunkering down) George Dearsley (Turkey)

LEADER Jock

DIARIST: Alastair Cairns

START TIME: 10:00

FINISH TIME: 14:30

Having found Jock wandering around the village our intrepid quartet set off up Vicarage lane turning left up the short steep footpath leading up to then over the fields to Pennycunk Lane which eventually brought us to Monsal Head. Following the minor road to Little Longston we passed the Packhorse (11:35). 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 where we took shelter for a combined pie and lunch time. The path took us to the metropolis of Great Longston, where Jock led us through the children’s playground and on to the Church, followed this strange diversion we followed the road sharp right to a walled lane leading us to a path which zig zagged over fields full of cattleto join Hardrake Lane. Following a multi pointing signpost we turned left and up onto Longston edge, from there it was an easy downhill stroll down Moor Lane turning left at Black Plantation and eventually right for Dale Farm and over the fields back to Little Longston reaching the Packhorse at 12:45, where the Black Sheep bitter proved to be in excellent condition albeit at £3.80 a pint. While taking our refreshment and in addition to discussing topics of the day (tory leadership, brexit and Victoria Derbyshire’s Freudian slip about Jeremy Hunt), Jock regaled us with stories of his youthful encounters with the mill girls of Gorsey Bank around the red rocks and in the Bee Hive Public House. Leaving thepub Andy mentioned that a not so young chap sat oppositeclearly had a problem in resisting the ample charms off his lady friend, he observed they seemed to enjoy their luncheon but wondered what they would be having for afters….     

From the Packhorse, 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. 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 return home.

Next weeks walk will depart from the Sportsman Inn Hayfield at 0945 to the Little Mill and Rowarth for lunchtime refreshment before returning to Hayfield