Bank Holiday Monday 30th
Peter reports 4 members met at the Llantysilo Green car  park and set off  down to the Chain Bridge on the side of the Llangollen Canal and followed the canal the short distance to the Horseshoe Falls which is actually a man made weir to supply water to the Llangollen canal to feed the Shropshire Union Canal. We continued along the the Clwydian way  eventually after a steep climb reached the pass between Maesyrychen and Llantysilo  mountains. Our path took us to the left along the wide track up to Moel y Bear with view all around the compass but with a very large population of flies! So we continued a bit further down the ridge to find a sport for lunch with less insect life. After lunch we continued to ascend Moel Morfydd, the highest point on the walk. Descending the path we took the lesser path to the left and descended quite rapidly  and eventually ended up at the cross roads of paths and Bridle ways. Here we took an alternative path clockwise around the hill which was not well used and fought our way through tall bracken and  tree hanging low over the path and round an path not on the map which eventually lead to the road along the river. Having had enough of les frequented paths we followed the road to the short distance to the 15th Century Sun Inn. Finding the door locked we were just about to leave when the door opened so we went in for refreshments taken out in the beer garden before returning to the car park about 1 mile along the road.

Sunday 29th
Graham reports 11 members set off from a Cul De Sac below Whitestone Plantation and on the opposite side of the Bypass from Ayeside that had been created by the Bypass and was now a perfect free parking spot. We walked south east along this old quiet road for half a mile before turning left up a lane. After 3oo yards we turned left up a lane to pass High Newton Reservoir  and along this tarmac lane. Just before a junction, we forked left across a grassy area as a short cut then continued along lane to pass a farm then came to Simpson Ground Farm. Passed to left of the Cottage and then forked right along track across undulating interesting countryside littered with rocky outcrops. After passing through a gate, we turned left to walk along tarmac lane to pass Foxfield Farm then passed through Sow How Farm. Soon after we turned left into Astley's Plantation and after 400 yards we turned right to walk along woodland track. Had lunch here sheltered from the wind before continuing. When the track bent left we continued straight on following yellow markers. Eventually after passing several markers, we forked right down narrow path with a Deer Fence on the right to follow this down to a lane. We turned left then after a few yards turned right into field then descended to the left to a gate onto a section of the old A590. We turned right and soon came to the modern A590 and crossed to follow lane. Just after an entrance to a Caravan site we left the lane at a right hand bend to cross rough land and eventually gained access to a lane to the right. We turned left then right at a junction that indicated that it was a Cul De Sac. We passed Hazelrigg Farm then continued to pass another farm and eventually came to Field End Farm. Took the path to the right to follow a wall through a muddy area and eventually came to a stile in the wall just to the right off the corner. Followed a path to another wall then a woodland path. Left wood and crossed open land following a grassy track to Seatle Farm. There was a diversion just before the buildings that indicated that it had been there since 1995. In the farmyard we turned left to leave via track. We soon turned right and found a stile on left just past a small outbuilding. Crossed to woodland and through this to eventually find a stile to the right of 2 gates. Crossed field to Lane. We turned left then right into field with large boulder as a natural step. Crossed to stile in wall then followed a wall into Ayeside. Had to change to the other side of the wall at one point. We turned left then right at a junction to follow lane. We turned right under the bypass to find the cars, We drove along the old road into High Newton. The Crown Public House had just re opened 4 weeks ago and had been refurbished but still had the Olde Worlde feel. 9 of the walkers relaxed in the lounge and had a well deserved drink.

Sunday 22nd
Stephen reports After a quick downpour in the car park, 26 of us left Todmorden via the Rochdale Canal in a light drizzle. We were soon removing our waterproofs in the sun whilst some took photos of the overflowing canal! At Gauxholme, we climbed a steep zigzag path by the old tripe works (!) to reach the top of Inchfield Moor. We walked for a while along a rough road and had lunch just below the summit of ‘Trough Edge End’ (Freeholds Top) amongst the ruins of a 19th century coal mine. From the summit trig point (1,400ft) and small tarn there were glorious views in all directions. Having crossed the squelchy moor, and a long descent to Gorpley Reservoir we had another stop amongst the reservoir outbuildings where the walk leader, feeling adventurous, climbed to the top of the stone gatepost and sat on the big ball – somebody said it was the worst case of haemorrhoids he’d ever seen!!! We followed a path down through a delightful wooded ravine to the Bacup road, having crossed multiple bridges over the dancing stream with it’s pretty cascades. An ascending path through more woodland brought us to a hilltop viewpoint at ‘Stones’ giving good views down towards Walsden. From here it was a descent through rolling fields passing the nearby blackened castellated structure of Dobroyd Castle (now a Buddhist retreat). None of us decided to go there however, much preferring our own brand of meditation and refreshment at ‘The Polished Knob’ an oddly named pub with ‘interesting’ decor in the centre of Todmorden.

Sunday 15th
Peter T reports 56 members met at the revised starting point which had changed due to the carpark in Cockerham having been booked for a cycle race. I would lie to thank Peter and Anne for organising the last minute changes to the website details. We eventually set off from Glasson Dock only 10 minutes late for our walk along the canal, then onto the fields and a walk through our very own maize maze and then onto Cockerham for lunch. We then made our way onto the coastal path with a quick stop off at the abbey. We continued on to Glasson Dock for ice creams and then 28 of us made our way to the Victoria for a drink and natter. I would like to thank those concerned for the support given to me as I was struggling with a back injury and to Julia for leading a good half of the walk.

Saturday 14th
AlanW reports After meeting up at the car park on a drizzly 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 short detour to view the waterfalls which were in fine form after all the recent rain. From here with improving weather, it was on to the Limestone pavement above Hubberholme for lunch and a picture perfect view down Wharfedale with the sun appearing right on cue. Suitably refreshed we reluctantly tore ourselves away from the viewpoint and headed on past Scar House, which was once a local Quakers meeting house but is now a National Trust property, before making our way down to the farmsteads of Yockenthwaite for a pleasant stroll along the Dales Way with a riverside stop for refreshments and brief spot of sunbathing at Hubberholme. Finally with the sun now at its best it was back to Buckden and the West Winds tearoom for a short course on the Yorkshire dialect and eur fine mash o' teeur scones 'n fresh cream

Sunday 8th
Roy reports Chris Roberts the local mountain guru said the forecast was for good conditions on the fell tops so when Roy the leader arrived in Great Langdale it was disappointing to see thick grey clouds and mist halfway down the hillsides! Even more disconcerting was the parking disaster. The directions said park in the campsite but faced with a barrier most members had pulled into a new space not checked out by the leader. A notice did say “pre booked only” so when the Ranger came along there was a spot of bother. When Roy eventually sorted everything out 18 members were mustered 30 minutes late. The actual walk was plain sailing except for Jim taking a dramatic tumble and mutters that it was damned hard walk with four peaks to climb each higher than the one before. And 7 of the party were shown yellow cards for missing out one lovely summit because they heard someone knowledgeable say we were going up only to come back the same way. Fortunately, the weather gradually improved and the mist receded until it was every bit as good as Chris had hoped.

Sunday 1st
Graham reports The parking area was right at the top of a lane beyond Leck Village and just before the access to Leck Fell House Farm. The leader set off with 7 members with suitable waterproofs that were put to use as it was raining. Two other members had declined to walk as the weather had put them off. We walked back down the lane and turned right at the first wall that crossed it. We followed this wall down into the valley. This area was overgrown with Bracken and Limestone outcrops. We met a path in the valley and followed this to the right for a few 100 yards before forking left down into a small valley. This tiny path was very tricky and slippery with mud and wet limestone outcrops and along with low branches it was a difficult descent but worth it for the dramatic scenes that met us. There were very interesting caves and inlets below us but we couldn’t get down as it was very steep. We continued along the dried up Beck to emerge into a wider area to a stile in the corner. This led would eventually lead to Bull Pot Farm but our route was to the right to look at a large cave that we walked into talking great care as the boulders were very slippy. We continued along this valley to a cave complete with waterfall and had lunch here out of the weather before climbing steeply out of the valley and climb above the cave to a ladder stile. There was a footbridge to cross the stream then we climbed steeply to follow a fence to the top corner to an old gate. We turned right and followed a path that climbed steadily to Crag Hill. There were views to the north to the Howgills from the Trig Point but with low clouds. We continued along a wall to Great Coum. This was the highest point of the day at 687 metres. We continued following the wall and eventually came to a big boulder that was wedged between a junction of two walls. This was the County Stone that indicated the boundaries of Lancashire, Yorkshire, & Cumberland. There were dates on it that someone had carved in 1832. We had to climb over this to continue to the Trip Point at Gragareth then walked to the famous three men of Gragareth and added some stones to them. We descended to a track just above Leck Fell House then turned left back to the cars. Had a drink sat outside Whoop Hall and the two ladies that had declined to walk earlier joined us.