Evening Walk and Fish and Chips at Copped Hall, 5th February 2011

We met at 6 p.m. at Copped Hall for one of the EFOG favourites - a short walk in the dark (a couple of miles or so), finishing with fish and chips in Copped Hall. Peter usually leads these walks. Unfortunately, due to muscle damage in his leg, he was unable to lead it. It was down to me to keep the tradition of our Copped Hall walk going!

Peter and I had worked out the route, trying to avoid what we knew were the most muddy sections of the footpaths round there, and had managed to check some of it out that morning (mostly going from A to B by car because of Peter’s injury). Would I manage to get the Group round without getting lost? Of course - I’m an optimist (although not when it comes to map-reading, and I don’t have much sense of direction!!). I do know the area quite well, so I decided I was confident! It actually looks very different in the dark, though, so I’m not sure how confident I really felt! 

Eighteen EFOG and three dogs (Katie, Eddie and Serena) left Copped Hall, where Duncan, Peter, Cliff and David P. were to stay and light a fire for our return. The first part of the walk went quite well, through the forest and field from the entrance gates of Copped Hall, and we didn’t have any problems on the very small section of road we had to go along at Upshire. This also avoided the smelly dead deer Peter and I found near there that morning! Along the wide grass verge we suddenly ended up in quite a bog! I shouted “mind the mud”, but heard the screams behind me as they ended up in it! The intrepid walkers continued, and as they all love to chat, hadn’t noticed I had cut diagonally across a field and they were walking round the edge! I kept an eye on them to see how long it would take them to notice I wasn’t in front of them, and then gathered them all together again. Herding sheep is probably easier!

All was well until we got to the section behind Copped Hall, some of which is private. Where was the footpath sign? We decided to carry on down the road, regardless of the private sign, until we got to another section which was obviously the route we shouldn’t take. I knew the footpath was in the adjacent field - somewhere!! In the dark it was difficult to find, but I knew the direction we had to go, so we plodded on regardless! Over the style at the other side, and a short walk up the small road which leads back to Copped Hall. Luckily, everyone avoided falling in the pond at the side of the road! Relief - I had got everyone back in once piece! This was probably thanks to Jim who was back-marker to make sure we didn’t lose anyone in the dark.

A lovely fire and tea and coffee greeted us in Copped Hall when we got back, and Peter and Parviz went for the fish and chips, which always tastes better at Copped Hall than at home!

Another good outing with EFOG, and a first for me leading, and not losing my way on the walk!!

Maz.