Eight of us turned up for a glorious day. We drove up to Hebden Bridge to start the walk which took us up though the woodland to Hardcastle Crags. Sue Thorpe stated that she would be very disappointed if the Northern Hairy Wood Ants failed to make an appearance, but almost immediately Nigel spotted some and indeed they were present in great numbers throughout the day. Other sightings were a dipper, oyster catchers, ducks and Canada Geese plus two toads and three lizards. We were in between seasons for flowers although we did see wood anenomes and we could smell the ransomes (wild garlic) in the woodland. After lunch we headed up onto the moorland where there were good views over the reservoirs although it was a bit hazy due to the heat.

We met a cyclist asking for directions to Oxenholme (he was very lost from a charity cycle ride), having carried his bike across the hills before meeting us and being directed down into Hebden Bridge to meet the Keighley Road and hopefully home. Further on a walker asked for directions to Howarth - he was without a map and setting off rather late in the day but we tried to send him the right way. Our maps did not cover either of these destinations but we assumed they were OK as there were no reports of missing people on the 10 o'clock news!

Finally we headed back down into the woods, just in time for the Tea shop before it closed.

Thanks Sue & Nigel for a very enjoyable walk

Claire's cycle ride on Sunday 2nd. April took 5 of us along Cheshire's
country lanes to Eaton near Congleton and back from there via Reedsmere. It
was a bright sunny day so despite the cool wind, quite pleasant for cycling.
It was Joan's first ride of the year, but she coped well with the 30+
undulating miles.Thanks to Vince for doing much of the navigating.

(Reported by John)