Saturday 28th
Alan W reports after meeting up at the car park on an overcast morning 4 members started the walk by heading up the Rakes, thought to be the remains of an old Roman road and the only significant climb of the day followed by a river crossing over the stepping stones at Cray. From here with improving weather, it was on to the Limestone pavement above Hubberholme for lunch and an almost perfect view down Wharfedale under a clear blue sky and bright sunshine. Tearing ourselves away from the viewpoint and heading on past Scar House, which was once a local Quakers meeting house but is now owned by the National Trust, we headed down to the farmsteads of Yockenthwaite for a pleasant riverside stroll along the Dales Way back to Buckden with a tea stop at Hubberholme Church with its Rood roof, one of only a very few left with such a structure. Finally with the returning cloud it was back to the car park and the Buck Inn for a pint or two!

Sunday 22nd
Graham reports 9 Members set off in bright sunshine and after last week’s weather conditions with lots of flooding, was a welcome change. The size of the group was reflected by the weather. Walked through Hellifield then left up Haw Grove and after the Railway crossing, Became Haw Lane and a track with lots of large puddles. The leader had decided to shorten the walk because of the lack of light in the afternoons; also to use tracks were possible. When the track ended at a gate, the next field led to Dacre Lane. This track led to the East and Otterburn. After crossing Otter Burn Beck a sharp left led through a Farmyard then onto a delightful Riverside path eventually leading to Park House Farm. The latter part of this access track was private but conditions underfoot made this action partly legal. Had to negotiate a very flooded gate onto the open fell and followed a Track for a while before walking right to a gate then through next field to Orms Gill Green Lane. Followed this to the left and had lunch at 13.00 out of the breeze in the hollow of Orms Gill Green Farm. Continued on along a track to a right hand bend to find a path on left across rough land slightly south of west. Crossed Langber Lane, yet another track then made for the north portion of Newton Fell. Passed Waterfall Rock, a lovely outcrop of layered shale’s with a small series of rapids below in Newton Gill. Followed a wide grassy path to Little Newton Farm then passed to the right through the yard then a track to left eventually passing under the Settle Carlisle Railway. Crossed a large field with several flooded areas with lots of Ducks and Geese. At Hellifield walked left through the town back to the cars at 15.10. The weather had been dry until about 2.0pm then the rain came but not heavy. Had a well deserved drink in The Black Horse.

Sunday 15th
Stephen reports Storm clouds began to recede just as 15 members gathered at Owd Betts lay-by for my Ashworth Valley walk. Though forecast showers never materialised and it stayed bright and clear all day it was far from pleasant underfoot. The fields were entirely sodden, rutted moorland tracks were waterlogged and narrow footpaths were deep slithery quagmires! So there were many casualties slipping messily to the ground or bruisingly into trees! The route took us over Knowle Hill close to the new Scout Moor wind turbines with distant views over Rochdale and Manchester and then down to Naden and Greenbooth reservoirs. Then we delved into Naden Clough and found a civilised wall to sit on for lunch overlooking the river. Then it was on downstream to meet Cheesden Brook up by which we turned to start heading back.This led all the way to Deeply Vale and the scenic Lumb Falls just as darkness began to draw in. Most retired afterwards to the nearby pub which was convivial enough except for the chorus of moans about the weakly JW Lees ale choice!!
Mary reports What a super day we had! Despite all the rain in the previous week and a grey start to the morning we had 44 people turn out for the walk. On cue, at eleven am the Sun put in a guest appearance and decided to accompany us until we returned to the car park at 3pm.After the torrential downpours of late I decided to stick with the familiar paths around the reservoirs. During the walk we managed to walk alongside five different reservoirs and had a little stop in Lead Mines Clough. The sun lit up the last remaining leaves on the trees and shone on the water making for some lovely scenery along the way. We had one slight problem when "the walk" decided to loose the leader by hanging behind at a slow "creep", apparently they had been waiting for me to realise that I had "lost" the whole of the walk..........................Very funny! I have a little question for our new walk leader Peter before he can join us "Name the five reservoirs we walked along in the correct order". Looking forward to joining you at Christmas.

Sunday 8th
Peter reports 10 members met at Swindale foot on a dry but cloudy cold morning and proceeded about a mile or so up the quite private road to Swindale Head. We then started the climb up the Old Corpse Road to the plateau. Then heading across to Selside Pike before following the fence line to Artlecrag Pike for lunch. On the way to Branstree we stopped to look at the low level Ordnance Survey marker, then heading down into Mosedale and the wet lands and Mosedale Cottage. Web then continued down Mosedale missing the path and having to head across the reeds to regain the path before descending the zigzag path down  Nabs Crag into Swindale. The views back to Forces Falls which were qite spectacular with the amount of water coming down. It was then a short track back to Swindale Head far and the road back to the cars.

Saturday 7th
Clare reports Ten of us set off from Glasson Dock today, and I would like to say thanks to everybody for braving the weather. The forecast was pretty accurate as the day consisted of heavy showers and briefly sunny intervals, along with more prolonged periods of rain. The walk took us from Glasson Marina down the canal, where the path was very muddy in places, and we returned along the side of the River Lune. Despite the weather I think we all had a good day, catching up with existing friends, and meeting new people.

Sunday 1st
Anne reports Ten of us left Affetside, the highest point of the walk, in torrential rain and hurricane winds! Thank goodness it was all downhill to begin with. One of the group soon decided to turn back (wise man!) so that left nine of us to continue on down into the valley. Fortunately the rain eased a little, but the rain continued to blow at gale force. We had to negotiate rivers and lakes that had appeared over night due to the heavy rain. By the time we reached the woodland the rain had stopped and the sun actually made an appearance, but after a short stop for refreshment I decided to cut the walk short because conditions underfoot were so wet and boggy, and the wind was still trying to blow us off our feet! We paddled our way through Two-Brooks Valley, negotiated a very boggy track up to the mill chimney on the hillside and made our way back up a recently much improved track to Affetside, where we dried off in the pub. My thanks to the "gang" who supported me on such a dreadful day --- We must be mad!!