Saturday 24th
Clare reports Fifteen people joined me at Freshfields today, and we enjoyed a very pleasant 6 mile walk around the tracks and beach. The presence of the warm winter sunshine was a lovely, if somewhat unexpected, surprise for all of us. Several of the people on the walk are relatively new Link members / walkers, and I would like to wish them all a warm welcome, and say that we hope to see them on future walks.

Sunday 18th
Roy reports 15 members found themselves at White Moss near Rydal Water on a bright winter’s morning but despite the promising weather forecast all was not going to stay so perfect. The first part of the walk above Rydal Water passed off pleasantly enough with pleasant sojourns by the great holes of Rydal Caves. Even as we started the first ascent to Lanty Scar the views back up Dunmail to Helm Crag and Steel Fell were resplendent. The traverse around Deer Hows brought a tantalising promise of the vista down Windermere but then curtains of stinging hailstones made us duck behind a wall. After this it never really mended and the scenery stayed bleakly misty grey for our visit to Todd Crag. Returning to the wall to seek shelter from the nasty wind we settled down for lunch looking across at the Fairfield Horse Shoe. The afternoon section of the walk was over the summit of Loughrigg and down to Grasmere braving the bitter gale. On the descent the rain set in and it was a wet end back along the lakeshore and riverside. The Badger Bar afterwards however was warm and inviting with a roaring fire and hearty beers!!!

Sunday 4th
Graham reports  28 Members and 3 guests ventured out for the first Sunday walk of the New Year. Most of the outward route was on the Pendle Way and we gradually climbed to Weets Hill. Most of the group touched the Trig Point top as it was the highest point of the walk. The ground was firm so the mud didn’t affect us. Eventually found a sunny spot for a late lunch then continued on. Hit the Canal at the Foulridge Tunnel and followed the towpath back into Barrowford after leaving it via a Foot Bridge by a Lock. Went into The George & Dragon just across the road for a well deserved drink of Grindleton “Old Fecker”

New Years Day Thursday 1st
Clare reports Eighteen people turned up on a very frosty New Year's Day. We strolled around the falls and thoroughly enjoyed seeing numerous huge icicles all the way around. The path was very icy in places, and although we all made it round safely, one unfortunate lady who was walking with another group, slipped and fell. As we passed her, her friends were calling for an ambulance. We wish her well.