Sunday 29th
Graham reports 22 members and 1 guest met in the free car park at Hellifield setting off at 11.05 am. We walked through Hellifield before gaining access to a large field. Could see the famous Hellifield Railway Station over to the right. Eventually passed under the Railway via an arch. Then onto Little Newton Farm and onto New House Lane. Walked to the left. Watched 2 Tree Creepers on the Lane. They were foraging for insects in an old gnarled tree. Carried on to eventually enter a Valley to the Right. This was a lovely valley with Long Preston Beck running through it. Just after New Pasture Plantation we climbed over a ladder stile into a tiny valley and sat down by Bookil Gill Beck. Continued onto a Gravelled Track Langber Lane. Followed this to the left for 2 miles. At a road, continued on the left and had a late lunch at Scaleber Force sheltering in the Wood. Retracing our steps to the Junction we now took the left fork and followed the road to a Cattle Grid where we took a path to the right. This path was downhill and followed a wall past the Farm of Crake Moor and the wooded Crake Moor Covert. Re-entered Langber Lane but lower down and followed this to the left before turning right over Hellifield Moor. Haw Lane had a lot of puddles where we were able to clean the mud off our boots. This took us to the Railway which was crossed and back into Hellifield at 16.40. Had a well deserved drink it the Black Horse Hotel.

Saturday 21st
Clare reports Fifteen joined me on my Ruff Wood walk, including two new Link members, to whom we extend a warm welcome. Despite the fact that the weather didn't hold up to its promise of sunshine we enjoyed a leisurely 6 mile stroll along fields and tracks in the Ormskirk area. On the way around we were all delighted by the sight of a peacock crossing our path, and many of the group later made friends with a pair of St Bernard dogs.

Sunday 15th
Peter reports 41 members assembled at Mill Hill picnic site in the sun ready for the walk along the rivers and canals of Burnley.  Heading down Castle Clough woods on part of the Huncoat Trail across the railway line and under the Motorway to the canal at  Higher Shuttleworth bridge. Leaving the canal shortly towards Shuttleworth Hall across the very busy A6068 then across the fields and down to the river at Padiham, before climbing up to Memorial Park and a stop for drinks at the old band stand. Then followed a walk through the woods and past the houses overlooking the river. In Padiham a short stop was made for the convenience of all before following the river path to Grove Lane plantation where lunch was taken looking across towards Gawthorpe Hall. After lunch we followed Burnley way to the bridge over the River Calder towards Ihtenhill  back to the River Calder and on to the canal. Following the towpath as far as the canal tunnel, up over Boat horse lane, through the underpass and back to the other end of the tunnel. We then walked back along the canal to Higher Shuttleworth Bridge and retraced out outward path back to the car park. A good number then retired to the Griffins Head were some enjoyed a drink while others also enjoyed a meal. 

Saturday 14th
Meryl reports 26 people met at Tockholes car park in fine but windy weather for my first walk as Leader.  Having walked up to Stepback and down the track turning by Waterman’s Cottage, we entered Sunnyhurst Woods by Spion Kop. Then down to the central path, past the duck pond and to the Kiosk. There we had a short break whilst several walkers enjoyed an ice cream and others had a look round the Visitor centre. Returning through the woods, we turned up to the stables and went past the deer enclosure, encountering the strong winds again but getting lovely views of the area.  Returning to our starting point, many enjoyed refreshments in the Royal Arms. A big  thank you to all the old and new friends who came on my walk and made it so enjoyable.

Sunday 8th
Stephen reports The forecast was for wintry showers but all we received was a short burst of hail towards the end of the walk, but it was a cold, dry and breezy day when 27 of us set off from Barbon, a sleepy village near Kirkby Lonsdale. We crossed parkland and entered the woodland below Barbon Manor, walking alongside Barbon Beck and emerging for our first stop by the babbling brook where hordes of picnickers frolic in the summer months. We took a gradual rising track across the squelchy moor to Bullpot Farm, an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, that now acts as the HQ for the brave souls who descend into the bowels of the earth wearing yellow rubber suits (sounds a bit kinky to me!) for beneath our feet is the Leck Fell cave system with 28 miles of underground caves and passages!  We had our lunch here, followed by a minutes' silence for 'Mike Sadula', one of our walk leaders who died earlier in the week. We continued on, steadily rising with glorious views all around to the summit of Brownthwaite Pike. We could see Morecambe Bay and the silvery Lune river meandering through green fields. Most of us managed to escape the cold winds by sheltering in the stony enclosure behind the big summit cairn. It was a long descent from here to the floor of the Lune Valley and after crossing fields and farmland we arrived at the grand looking Whelprigg House, with it's tennis courts, ornamental pond with fountain and a good carpeting of snowdrops everywhere. After the walk we retired to the olde-worlde Barbon Inn, the landlady very kindly agreed to my request to open up to serve us all at 4.30pm.
Peter reports (Mike Sadula's walk) 13 members and one guest met in the rain on a day forecast to have everything. Proceeding up the hill getting steeper all the way up to the Bridleway, with the weather being kind. At the top just before ascending Top of Leach the hail started with a loud clap of thunder. The hail increased on the short climb to the Trig point and the boundary stone.  The hail gave way to snow as we returned to the bridleway  and continued down towards Greenbooth and Naden reservoirs. We found some shelter for lunch overlooking  Greenbooth. After lunch we followed the shoreline of the Naden Reservoirs before ascending the very steep trackless bank up to the disused Ding quarry and on towards Hail Storm Hill. Here the hail  echoed the location causing us to take shelter in the lee of the nearest Windmill on Scout moor. The descent back to Cowpe past Cowpe reservoir to the cars seemed easy after the struggle up onto the moor. Afterwards most retired to the pub for refreshment.

Sunday 1st
Sheila reports 39 People turned up for my 1st walk of 2009.We started the walk along the Leeds - Liverpool Canal to Withnell Fold. Then a steady uphill climb to reach the fields above Brinscall where we had a good view of Preston although a little cold up here at least the rain was keeping off. We then made our way down to Brinscall where most of us found a bench to sit on to have lunch on The Green by the Pond. After lunch we had the drag up Well Lane to reach Wheelton Plantation having a quick look at the Old Stables while passing through the plantation to reach The Goit by way of crossing to Brinscall Hall. Later arriving at a farm with a sign on the gate saying "Don't worry about the Dog Beware of the Owner". I  told the walkers the dogs were lock up but the owner would get us at the other end of the yard and sure enough the farmer's wife was round the corner at the other end of the yard but she turned out to be a very pleasant lady. We then skirted the golf course & another farm yard to end the walk. About two dozen people found their way back to The Dresser's for a drink after a very pleasant walk.