Eleven members left Foolow to follow field paths into Eyam. Once through the village our route took us past the Lydgate Graves and down The Cliff into Stoney Middleton. Although overcast, the views of the Eastern Edges were extensive from our coffee stop overlooking Stoney.
We then descended into Coombs Dale and began the long gradual haul up the dale and onto Longstone Edge for lunch. Again we were treated to far reaching views over Monsal Dale, Great Longstone and Bakewell. It seemed appropriate at this moment to remember Harry Woods, an ex member of the club who passed away recently and whose funeral took place that morning.
Before setting off, Maurice, in an attempt to lift the cultural tone of the day read John Masefield’s poem Cargos. Whether this has set a precedent for future walks remains to be seen, although it was generally agreed that anything longer than three verses would have to wait for warmer weather!
We skirted the settling pond below Longstone Moor farm and followed more field paths through Housley and into Foolow. Unfortunately we couldn’t persuade the land-lady at The Bull’s Head to stay open long enough to serve us a festive cuppa, which would have nicely rounded off an excellent walk.