Dane Bridge

 Dane Bridge, Minn End lane, A523, disused railway, Knot Inn, Royal Oak PH, Dane Valley way, Dane Bridge

 

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Flat ish

Weather: Dry with early chill giving way to blue skies and sunshine.

Walkers: Beachy, Aperitif, Simple, Deano, Dave, Popkiss, Micky B, Hughie, Dawn treader, Christopher Joseph.

Apologies: Lots

Leader: Owen Diarist: Owen

Starting point: Dane Bridge

Starting time: 9.40 Finishing time: 1.00pm

 

Once everyone had arrived (promptly) we set off walking uphill past the Ship Inn turning left across a meadow to a metalled road where we again turned left. This led to a farmyard which we crossed and regathered again going straight to a gateway where we veered right across a field. Bearing left we walked into the outskirts of a wooded area/copse with deer-proof gateways. We turned right following the gritstone trail then turned left going downhill into a small valley. 

A short ‘pull’ led the group to a field with young bullocks who appeared to be ‘fearless’ given their wanton disregard for an electric fence.

We arrived at Minn End lane (the owls) where your diarist enquired about the cost of an owl! Stunned at £400 we turned left along the lane and meandered to a meadow further along the lane and turned left. Heading diagonally across the field we crossed a stile and were confronted by a busy A523. Negotiating the busy thoroughfare we walked along the road crossing the river Dane and turned right arriving at a disused railway which we clambered up and had a belated ‘pie time’.

Post pie time we walked along the railway until we were delighted to arrive at the Knot Inn, delight turned to dismay as it is yet to open its doors (2 weeks hence)to paying customers.

Quelling disappointment we continued along the disused line turning left at a sign advertising the Royal Oak PH (Rushton Spencer).  In a so-called community-run PH there was little community spirit portrayed as it was also closed.

It was decided to carry on and return to Dane Bridge for a ‘wet’ at the Ship Inn.

We walked to the right of the Royal Oak up Sugar Lane which eventually turned into a metalled road and led us to the Dane Valley way whereupon we turned right.

After a short while we crossed the Dane again via a metal bridge and crossed a number of meadows to conclude our journey at the Wincle Brewery.

De-booting all participants enjoyed various ‘brews’ at the Ship Inn.

There was no announcement of next week's wander due to participation doubts.

Enjoy your week.

Happy Wandering!