Bank Holiday Monday 31st
Bob reports 39 people met at Roddlesworth visitor centre, where a chill wind was blowing.  We descended through the plantations to Rocky Brook and followed it upstream to the main road. After crossing we ascended Great Hill and enjoyed a short break.  The wind had virtually disappeared and the day was now quite warm and sunny.  Down to White Coppice cricket field where our packed lunches were enjoyed, supplemented by teas and ice-creams from the pavilion. Continuing along the new bridleway alongside the Goit, we came across a deer grazing on the other side of the water.  The first few of the group watched quietly until the noisy remainder caught us up and frightened it away. Onwards to Brinscall and a short drink stop by the duck pond.  The reluctant group were  persuaded to continue.  We followed the old railway line to Abbey Village, up the main street and onwards to Roddlesworth reservoirs for  a short drinks break. The final leg was through the woods picking up the path by the side of Rocky Brook to the path up to the Visitor Centre. Several of the group then enjoyed refreshments in the beer garden of the Royal hotel.

Sunday 30th
Peter reports 6 members met in the car park at Gummers How (Recently called Astley's plantation) car park.  In sunny weather, but cool in the shade and wind. After ascending Gummer's How and taking in the views over the lake and most of the Lakeland peaks, we descend and made our way to Sow How Tarn and the hidden overgrown Middle Tarn. After passing over Raven's Barrow to the monument lunch was taken  amongst the rocks sheltering from the wind. After lunch we made our way down to St Michaels church  at Cartmel Fell.  After a short visit to the church we made our way along the valley to Little Thorphinsty, through Low Loft wood past Thorphinsty Hall and through Crag Wood. After crossing the road we ascended Pattison How  and Simpson Ground to reach Simpson Ground  reservoir were a break was taken. Our path then lead through Chapel House plantation to reach the forest road  towards Astley's plantation. A short difficult stretch across the felled trees followed by a short path back to the car park.      
Stephen reports It was a bright and blustery day when 8 of us set off for the rocky heights of Derwent Edge above Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District. From the car park we passed the two huge towers of the Dewent Dam where the Dambusters used to fly over during their practice bombing runs in the second world war. A steep climb brought us to the ‘Lost Lad’, a rocky cairn and viewpoint indicator and from here on we joined a set paved path to the summit of ‘Back Tor’ the highest part of the walk. It was hard to avoid the 50mph winds, so we huddled together amongst the huge boulders of the gritstone outcrops whilst we had a break. We crossed the moor on the level flagged path ticking off the weirdly named, and shaped rocky outcrops as we went. ‘The Cakes of Bread’, The Salt Cellar’ and ‘The Wheelstones’ to name but a few. At the end of the ridge, before descending, we took a detour to ‘Whinstone Lee Tor’, a marvellous viewpoint down the length of Ladybower Reservoir – if only we could stay upright long enough in these winds to appreciate it! From here it was downhill all the way back through a much greener landscape of stunning countryside and excellent views towards the reservoir. The wind dropped, it became hot and it was almost summer again! We followed the minor road back along the reservoir, passing the site of the drowned ‘Derwent’ village. Refreshments were taken at the excellent Yorkshire Bridge Inn. If you would like to see pictures of this walk (on a windless day when I did the recce) please visit my website to view the ‘Derwent Edge’ gallery – www.stephendutch.com

Sunday 23rd
Alan W reports 16 members met at the John Ruskin School on a hot sunny day for the 9½-mile fell and lakeside walk which started with a leisurely ramble along the shores of Coniston Water, taking in the scenic views before heading inland through the pleasantly shaded Torver Common wood to Brackenbarrow Farm where a small flock of sheep were fenced in on the narrow footpath. Undaunted by this obstacle the leader and one member coaxed them back past the group as gently as possible, so we could make our way through the gate at the other end without causing unnecessary panic in the flock or allowing any of them to escape. They were presumably there to graze the path, which was starting to become a little overgrown. Show over it was time to move on over Bleathwaite Pasture to Torver Beck for 1:30 lunch by the waterfalls right on cue at 1:27. After a spot of sunbathing and toe dipping in the beck it was time to make our way up to and along Walna Scar Road where we bid fair well to one member at the Scar road car park before following the track round to the Copper Mines Valley and a final refreshment stop at the Miners Bridge. This just left a very short climb (honest!!) round Foul Scrow before a pleasantly shaded descent and a short stroll along a disused railway track back to the school and a refreshing cool pint in the Yewdale hotel.

Sunday 9th
Roy reports Roy led another expedition to bag four Wainwrights on the eastern side of the Fairfield Horse Shoe. The company numbered 17 including our new Walks Coordinator, welcome Alan and good luck. For once the Lake District mountains were kind and we enjoyed a gloriously clear day with odd shafts on sunlight dappling the fells. Lunch against a sunny wall with a vista over Windermere made us very reluctant to leave for more hard climbing but the even more splendid and panoramic viewpoint of Red Screes beckoned. Some thought this was a particularly tough walk, a full eleven miles and 3630 total feet of ascent. So the Hartley’s range of refreshing real ales in the Golden Rule afterwards were well earned!!

Bank Holiday Monday 3rd
Meryl reports 20 members and 3 guests met at Crookfield car park in dry but somewhat cold conditions . We set off to Belmont along Catherine’s Edge (easy bit first). Skirting Belmont we  passed the ornamental reservoir to climb up to the A675 crossing to the path up to Winter Hill.  At the top we made a slight detour to the mast as it was the first visit for some. Here we had lunch. The more experienced walkers knew the warmest more sheltered spots and (obviously more experienced than I)  commented that I had taken them to the red light district! It  was not a complaint. We then returned to the path and detoured up to the trig point, satisfying the purists. On the path once more we descended to the rough track, easily as the path was very dry, and on to Hordern Stoops . Here one walker had to leave as he had developed  a huge blister which had burst.  First aid in the form of a blister plaster and covering were tried, but it was too painful and he went by road  to the Black Dog at Belmont to be picked up later. The rest of us went on by Spitlers Edge to Great Hill where our progress was hampered by a short hail storm. A  tea stop at the top was cut short by another short hailstorm and we headed down to the sunshine in the valley. Going down to Piccadilly our progress was again made easier by the unusually dry conditions. We passed by Hollinshead Hall and looped round the road to return to the car park.  Most of us then called at the Hare and Hounds in Abbey Village for refreshments.

Sunday 2nd
Graham reports Seven members and one guest met at the tiny hamlet of Sollum, just off the A59 then walked down Lock Lane to the Canal Bridge and onto Red Bridge over the River Douglas. Walked over some foot paths to explored the Ancient fields and great habitat area known as Bretherton Eyes before returning to Red Bridge and retracing steps to the cars. 43 Species of Bird seen.  Three members drove to Tarleton and enjoyed a well deserved drink in the Cock & Bottle public house.
Sheila reports With the weather not quite knowing what to do with itself today 39 walkers set off for a pleasant walk around Cuerden Park. After a mile a gent decided to turn back as he was having trouble with his leg at the same time another gent joined the walk so we still had 39 walkers at this point. A mile further on we came to the ruins of Cam Mill (which had been a Bleach Works 100 years earlier) here we had our 1st break of the day. Setting off to finish the first 1/3 of the walk we arrived back near the car park where we lost another walker by the name of Rammy John (Yes folks he is still alive and kicking! for those who don't know John he was a Walk Leader of a few years back and it was nice to see him looking so well again) We now made our way to Bluebell Wood (just a little to early to see them in full bloom) coming out of the wood we stopped for lunch by the bridge on the River Lostock some of us even had ice cream from the man with the ice trike .Here 3 ladies decided to wander to the toilets up at the Hall and were never to be seen again. Then it was off to the Walled Garden which most people were not impressed by (well you can't win them all) Back tracking to the Hall in order to find the secret passage while here Neil rang to say he had found the 3 missing ladies and was taking them back to the car park (THANKS NEIL). Passing the lake and over the meadow we arrived back at the river to cross the stepping stones much to the horror of a certain lady who was even more horrified when she realised we had another set to cross further down (but she is still my friend!!) Back to the car park with now only 34 walkers but all tallied for. The very busy Ley Inn was the pub of the day.
Harry reports After a break of over a year as a leader Harry was pleased to meet many loyal walkers from previous times. The sunshine was welcome on a chilly morning as 16 of us took the lane to Langcliffe and Stainforth, on route much interest was taken in the Hoffman Limestone Kiln site where we walked through the amazing length of the building. After Stainforth we climbed the many steps through the wood, on leaving the wood we took advantage of the view over the valley and shelter from the wind to have lunch. The next stop was at Catrigg Force to view Stainforth Beck and the waterfall then on to walk along Attermire Scar and return through the valley between Sugar Loaf and High Hill. A very scenic walk had been enjoyed and refreshments were then taken at the Tea Shop or the Royal Oak for something stronger.