four brave souls started from salter's brook bridge for a tough but very enjoyable walk. we walked along far small clough then we walked along muddy ground and most of the time the path was  non  existent and we  had  to  rely on compass  bearings, which  i  had  plenty of  opportunities to practice. thank you Steve. we had lunch at barrow stones. we saw some shooting cabins and lucky no one was shooting. then we went along lower small clough and then made our own path and then we had to cross coldwell clough, where the water was wide and fast running, but we all made it across safely. then we went past shepherds meeting stones (hard climb up hill!!) then we headed back towards the car via round hill. very good walk, thank you for map reading lesson.  

The first official walk of the new programme saw 19 people fighting the flab and the excesses of the New Year to enjoy a walk up to White Nancy and Kerridge Ridge to Kettleshulme. Despite the murky weather views were afforded towards Shining Tor and The Dark Peak to the east and in the other direction to Mow Cop and Alderley Edge. A special welcome to Eddie who joined us for his first walk!!

The local livestock were particularly interested in us today! First, at our lunch stop near Lamaload Reservoir, a flock of sheep were observed approaching at a gallop. However, once they were confronted by a gesticulating Colin prancing in their direction, they rapidly cleared off.

Not so easily deterred were a pair of horses, who were picketing a stile just opposite The Highwayman pub where we'd taken some post-lunch refreshment. They quite clearly knew what rucksacks meant, and no-one was getting into their field until a toll had been paid. Chocolate from Sue and part of a cereal bar from Geoff distracted these guys long enough for our party to get over the stile, although we were then escorted all the way across the field, with muzzles gently but pointedly nuzzling rucksacks. "Any more where that came from?"

And then only a couple of hundred yards further on, we were welcomed by what we suppose was a Shetland Pony, although it looked for all the world like a largish sheep...apart from the clearly horsey head! Maybe that's what you get for keeping sheep and horses in the same field. Whatever, the remainder of Geoff's cereal bar got us past him/her/it.

Has anyone heard if experiments in genetic modification are being carried out in Kerridge?

December 31st the group headed up to the Lakes. The weather was the best to drive in. Fog was hugging the motorways but if you were up early, there was hardly any traffic. The late comers hit the traffic jam later on. So this year we were looked after Grasmere Hostel which put on a fine buffet. From cold meats and salads to hot roast meats and curry. Then the fine puddings. After the buffet some of the group went into the louge with log fire where others headed down to tweedies bar where we have bought tickets for the night. Pub was packed and a singer was going though his songs. Come 11.45 pm we went out side ready for the fireworks. What a display. Well over 5 Minutes of fireworks then the party poppers went off. Some poeple came along with large poppers. Once the Kissing was over we dance in the beer garden before heading back inside. But it was not long before we went across the hotel part for the Disco where dance the night away to the early hours of the night. By 2.30 am most of us was in bed. Next morning weather was perfect for walk over to Elterwater. The ground and tress cover in frost for most of the day. Next day the walk went up onto High Raise and they over to Helm Crag. Walking was hard going due to amount of ice on the paths. It looked a few weeks ago it very wet and the ground was sodden and now it was frozen. The final walk was up onto Fairfield where we had young Helen leading a walk for the first time. We had no problem and she got us down to the pub. On each walk we had mulled wine which Chris and Wendy carried up each day and Colin had his very quick heating camping stove. Surprised how many got up the hill so fast when the mulled was served. But it was cold and it went down very well. One night we had a change to hostel meals and we booked Tweedies bar for a meal. Most were surprised at getting only 5 chips but they were chunky chips and some could not be eaten. Meal may have be little on the dear side but the food was 101%. The olive starter was excellent. Sunday came and time to head home. Most went Ambleside and looked around the shops for that Sale bargin but not much there. So the only thing to do hit the tea shops and putting a couple of more pounds.