Sunday 28th
Jane reports 28 people came on the walk. The day got off to an interesting start as the parking area was near to the River Keer which is tidal. There was concern as the water level in the river kept rising and then water was seeping from a channel across the road. Several people moved their cars to higher ground. The start of the walk was delayed while people decided whether their cars were safe. We eventually got set off heading towards Carnforth and the canal side at the Canal Turn pub. After following the canal a short while we turned off along a lane/bridalway towards Bolton-le-Sands. Another smaller rather muddy track took us to some woods above the canal where we stopped for lunch. The day stayed fine and bright but with a cool wind if stopped for too long. After lunch we headed back to the canal towpath towards Hest Bank cutting across fields to the shore. Fortunately the tide had turned and was receding well for us to follow the shore back to the cars. The last section was rather tricky over muddy paths and channels and water logged marsh and not without a couple of casualties along the way. Everyone was relieved to find their cars in place and no rising water problems. Refreshments were taken at the Canal Turn pub afterwards. 

Sunday 21st
Roy reports 15 were on Jimmy’s traipse along the Ribble Way towards Rathmell. They left the blizzards of Lancashire for murky frosty Settle!! Although the forecast was for continuing snow it died out quickly so the walk was dry and pleasant. The fields and farms of Ribblesdale took on an entirely different look in their winter mantle and familiar landmarks were hard to make out. So, weaving in and out of little nooks and crannies Jimmy soon had the experienced geographers disorientated! He also tested everyone’s rock climbing skills scaling the innumerable dry stone wall stiles, possibly some of the highest, awkward and precarious ever encountered! Jimmy miss-advertised this jaunt in the program, we never got to Rathmell proper, just the outskirts. The lunch stop on Birchshow Rocks was however stunning. The long miles stretched to 9.9 before the welcoming dome of Giggleswick School was passed and weary limbs could be revived with Cooper Dragon ales in the pub. afterwards. 
Graham reports 5 Members and 2 Guest met at Cocklet Hill Car Park as the lane to Stocks Res’r was not passable for 2 wheel Cars due to the Black Ice and snowy conditions. This lane has a steep slope. Someone rang to say that they were coming but behind schedule due to the conditions. The Leader told them of the new Location for Parking and the Group waited for them until 11.40 then set off. The signals on Mobile Phones were not always available so couldn’t get in touch with the latecomers. It was decided that the scheduled walk was to be abandoned due to the lateness of the start and the adverse conditions. Walked back along the lane towards the B6478 for a few 100 yards then turned right down access to Brook House Green & Rain Gill Farms. The path continued through fields to cross a Footbridge then onto Hammerton Hall. Just before the Hall a path was found going back towards Stocks Res’r. At a plantation, a concessionary path was found to the Left that descended to the Dam Head of Stocks Res’r. Had Lunch here. Surprisingly it wasn’t that cold here. Returned via the Circular Walk route to a lane where we turned left then just before the Causeway, found a Forest path that took us back to Cocklet Hill Car Park. We passed behind Dalehead Chapel at one point. This structure originally stood in the valley and when the valley was flooded to create Stocks Res’r this Building was dismantled and reconstructed in its present position on the corner of the lane. Drove to Slaidburn and had a Drink in the Hark to Bounty Public House. Bowland Knotts and the Resting Stone will be walked on a future date.

Sunday 14th
Roy reports 8 keen fells walkers turned up for Roy’s version of Wainwright Chapters 51 and 70. They travelled out of sunny Lancashire into misty frosty Cumbria!! The forecast was for a bright start with risk of sleet later but the cold clag stuck all day although there was no rain and very little wind. These are straight forward gently rising grassy fells so in the clammy cold the uneventful miles were sped off with a quick lunch on the summit of Wether Hill. A short jaunt along the  Roman Road  quickly brought us to the trig point on Loadpot Hill. Then it was downhill all the way through merry bracken and gorse to seek out the tasty beers of the Mardale Inn at St. Patrick’s Well.
Pete T reports 54 members and 3 guests set off on a cloudy but dry day from Rivington. Our departure was delayed due to difficulties parking because a fell run was being held at the same time. We finally set off 10 minutes late but the ladies had been sweetened up by gold chocolate hearts from myself and the fellas with lovehearts from Julia. We made our way up to the south side of the Pike where we then had a choice of the easy way up the final stretch or the more challenging way. Needless to say most chose the easy way. We had a much needed brew and enjoyed the view. We then made our way down past the pigeon tower to the lower car park and onto the lunch stop. We carried on to the Yarrow Valley, down to the Yarrow reservoir and back to the barn and the cafe where 22 of us had coffee and a chat.

Sunday 7th
Stephen reports 15 turned up today for my walk in three counties, I like to pack a lot in! We left the car park at Wildboarclough a remote valley in Cheshire. It was sunny as we climbed out of the valley, giving good views back towards Shutlingsloe (the Matterhorn of Cheshire). The sun disappeared as quickly as it came, it was cold, overcast and misty as we plodded through isolated pockets of snow. Our route took us alongside the River Dane to Three Shires Head, a beauty spot where the river flows under two ancient packhorse bridges and over big rocks, we crossed the river here and had our coffee stop in Derbyshire. Shortly after we were in Staffordshire where we had lunch amid molehills, on picnic tables at Gradbach Hostel. A steep climb to the main road after lunch soon warmed us all up and a trek across the moor saw us back in Cheshire where we dropped down a boggy hillside into the valley again and a short stretch along the road back to the cars. In the pub afterwards a bell on the bar caused some amusement when it said, “ring for sex”, so I rang it loud and I waited, and waited, and waited……typical, just my luck!!!
Roy reports 3 men and 5 women went on Chris’s ascent of Helvellyn. We travelled out of foggy Lancashire into misty frosty Cumbria!! The forecast was for better than this but the cold clag stayed solid all day with even some black cloud drizzle for a time. Nevertheless the resolute 8 climbed steadily into the winter wastelands. Upon reaching the ice/snow line the leader deftly produced spare crampons for those without from within his rucksack so no delay or turning back was incurred. A quick lunch was snatched at the summit shelter, which despite the inclemency was busy with hikers, before pressing on to Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike. Here the first monochrome views of valleys and nearby mountains were seen. After a perilous descent/half slide down a massive steep snow field a second lunch stop was held overlooking Grizedale Tarn whilst we marvelled at the frozen waters. The descent was via Raise Beck beside the icy waters spilling out from under cornices like some alpine glacier. From Dunmail Raise it was still another 4 miles through the forest back to the cars so it was going dark by the time we crawled into the Kings Head at Thirls Spot for some reviving ales!!!
Graham reports 12 Members and 2 Guests met at The Walton Arms before driving to a lay-by at the bottom of the A6068 adjacent to the River Calder. By climbing over the crash barrier and descending a steep embankment, a track at the bottom that passed under the Road Bridge was gained. After setting the Binoculars as usual the party set off downstream towards Altham and looking out for any signs of live on or around the River. At the A678 we crossed the road and climbed down steps to the Riverside path. There was a lot of plastic bottles along the riverbank that had been washed up during the recent high water. Found two unusual stone blocks with the initials of LGNS & Simonstone. At the bend we stopped for a rest before following the path towards Dunkirk Farm then doubling back to find an excavation of Constant Mary Tramway and Waterwheel. continued along the filed boundary to stile then turned right over some Duckboards and back to the River. Retraced steps to the Cars then retired to The Walton Arms for a drink and Bar Snack. 26 Species of Birds were seen or heard.