THE WALKING GROUP
We parked the cars outside the Unstone Community Centre with Julie and Mary as our leaders. We negotiated the kissing gate and walked past a small-holding comprising of goats and a couple of horses and along a broadwalk which led us into Metapic Wood. This was planted in 2001 especially for friends and lovers of nature and wild life. It had been a very, hot day and we were grateful for the 4pm start and for the fact that we were walking in the shade of woodland. We sat on the “Rest-a-while” bench for a cold drink then crossed a stile and followed a footpath which brought us onto Callywhite Lane.
We entered Frith Wood and took a left fork to the pond, created to provide habitats for frogs, toads and newts but mainly occupied by used, black, doggy bags. If we had turned to the left of the pond we would have arrived at the Guides Field, owned by the Guides and often used during the summer for nature watch activities. During the First World War, prisoners of war were held in a camp built in this field.
We found a fallen tree which we all managed to perch on to eat our sandwiches before leaving the wood and climbing a grassy hill at the top of which we stopped to admired the view and to get our breath back. After striding over various stiles we passed Summerley Hall which with Summerley Farm dates from the early 17th century. (Summerley means summer pasture).
We walked through four fields, all with stiles and down a path bordered on both sides by sizeable nettles, eventually arriving back at our cars. Thanks to Julie and Mary for a very pleasant, mainly shady, walk on a beautiful evening in July.
Next month’s walk on Sunday 5th August will start at 4pm and will be in the area of Oakerthorpe. This is a 4 ½ mile, fairly easy walk, so if anyone wishes to join us please meet at the church gates with sandwiches and a drink. Transport will then be arranged.