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A party of 16 and Poppy assembled in warm sunshine. A short walk down the road brought us to an unsigned footpath which led gradually upwards and eventually skirted Stokehall Quarry. Our descending path led us to a leafy glade where we found Fair Flora in quiet solitude. Her original home may have been Chatsworth before she was moved to Stoke Hall, but with her arrival came ill-fortune and hauntings so she was banished to the woods. A different tradition claims that the statue is a memorial to a daughter of Stoke Hall, who drowned after slipping from the Derwent stepping stones while eloping with her lover. We will never know the truth.
Our walk continued past Goatscliffe, and coffee was taken overlooking Grindleford, with fine views across the valley to Froggatt Edge and north towards a heather clad Higger Tor. Field paths beyond Grindleford brought us to our lunch stop before we rejoined the riverside path which led us all the way to Froggatt Bridge. After a steady climb we returned to our starting point on the old Eyam road. A walk of just under 7 miles in warm sunshine. Thanks to all who came.
Sean.
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