The Central Fells of Lakeland

Well......it was time to return to the Lake District after undergoing major surgery back in February. I’d been out walking with friends on Kinder Scout in the Peak District a couple of weeks earlier, so I was feeling pretty confident I was fit enough to return to some Lakeland walking.

I was looking for a fairly easy walk, but including fells on my Wainwright list, something like Black Fell and Holme Fell, not too high and about 6 miles. But then I remembered one route I’d planned last year in the central fells, Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove and Armboth, of which, some are notoriously boggy for most of the year. So after an absolutely scorcher of a May without hardly any rain, these fells would be about as dry as they will get and now would be a good time to get them done.

The walk would be about 11 miles, a little more than I wanted, but I was hoping the going would be good, these fells were relatively low, the highest being a little over 600m and I’d be adding 5 Wainwright’s to my tally, taking me to 114.

My planned route

The weather was continuing to stay warm as it did in May, and temperatures were expected to reach about 19c-20c on the fell tops today, light winds but early morning mist clearing during the morning, but giving way to isolated showers later in the afternoon with possible thunderstorms. 

Undeterred by the forecast, I left home at 6:30am with a boot packed with a spare change of clothes, lots of fluids and Jam sandwiches. On a warm day I don’t want to be worried about eating warm meat.

I try and drink as much as possible on the drive up, so I’m well hydrated before the walk, leaving me with just a 2Ltr drinks bladder to carry, keeping weight to a minimum.

Also packing a bottle of juice for my return to the car along with a bite to eat.

A lovely Christmas present shows an early start. It's only the second time I've worn it and I only know half it's features, but I'll master it over the coming months.

The drive was two and a half hours from home, traffic was light and went smoothly apart from the police briefly stopping all traffic on the M61 just in front of me for no apparent reason. But we were soon back at 71mph ish and as I drove along the M6 nearing Penrith I could see how low the cloud base was on the Howgill’s. So I knew my little fells today at 5 and 600m would be in mist. 

I planned to park in the National Trust car park at Ashness Bridge and on my arrival at bang on 9:00am the car park was empty. There is two or three small car parks along this very narrow lane, but Ashness Bridge is a fairly large one, and free for NT members.

I was in shorts today, no need to carry waterproof pants, but I did pack my shell and mid layer to add to the 2ltrs of water along with all the other usual bits and bobs.

By the time I’d had a stretch, eaten a banana, booted up, reset my GPS and told myself I’ve locked the car out loud so I’ll remember, it was 9:20am and I was on my way.

After passing the ‘Bark House Mountain Base, which is a bothy staffed by Volunteers for the National Trust as a shelter. A photo of Ashness Bridge is a must do, when visiting here, unfortunately for me, there was no view of Skiddaw in the background as beautiful as the bridge is and pretty narrow I thought as I drove over it. That classic view wasn’t on show today.

Bark House Mountain Base Bothy. Closed this morning

Ashness Bridge

So my first stop would be Walla Crag, and looking at the signpost for Walla Crag and my map, I headed in the opposite direction to the signpost which said ‘Great Wood’ trusting my navigation rather than the tourist trail, which stated 1hr 25mins.

Heading left towards Great Wood

The route up to Walla Crag was nice and steady, although another signpost on my route pointed to Walla Crag with ‘steep climb’ I found it comfortable, but I guess if you had a pushchair it would be a different matter. The path is mostly on a well established stony trail, and lined with ferns, and some cute little flowers, I think they might be Erysimum, but not sure. 

The path was very dry and cracked in places higher up, my walking poles made a hollow sound as they struck the ground, and I was hoping this was a good sign for higher up.

As I gained height, I was a little gutted, as I could see a little of what should be terrific views of Derwent Water and the Islands of St Herbert and Lord’s, I could only see a faint outline of Brandelhow and Cat Bells. I’ve never seen Derwent Water from high up on this side of the lake so it was a real treat, a wow moment.

The dry cracked path to Walla Crag shows signs of things to come 

Looking down at Derwent Water and Lord's and Derwent Isle

The path approaching Walla Crag

On reaching Walla Crag 50 minutes after leaving the car I stayed here only briefly, no point as not a dot could be seen from this big lump of rock which was a shame. I couldn’t see the steep drop below the crag but got a sense of it from the trees of ‘Great Wood’ below and I wasn’t ready for a sit down yet, and drinking from a rucksack bladder means you can keep drinking without stopping to get a bottle out. 
But I could imagine having lunch here, sat admiring the views of Keswick and the surrounding mountains and a glistening lake below......oh well, a short one for another day perhaps.

Walla Crag

As I left the crag I saw a family approaching through the mist from the Keswick direction, probably from Great Wood, these would be only a few of the handful of people I’d see for the next few hours.

The south east towards Bleaberry Fell from Walla Crag

From Walla Crag I couldn’t see Bleaberry Fell and not knowing the central fells very well I took a compass bearing and followed the well trodden stone path towards a steep looking crag in the distance which I mistook for my target. It didn’t matter as it was on my route, and as I got nearer the crag, I could then see Bleaberry further east about the same distance again from Walla Crag. It’s quite funny in mist how without perspective a small fell seems to loom over you and can look huge and steep, as did this fell until I got nearer.

During this section of path walked, I crossed a small pool of water teeming with tadpoles from nearby reeds, I could just see this spot covered with hopping frogs sometime soon, sure signs of how wet this area gets.

 The mist clearing on Bleaberry Fell. 

The fell in front of me was now clearing, as the cloud interspersed amongst the peak tops It now showed me the short ascent to the summit standing at 590m and I was surprised to find a wind shelter to sit in and take a break, although there was no high wind to shelter from, the flies and midges more than made up for any unpleasant weather the shelter was designed for. I’d just got my seat mat out and sat down to eat a boiled egg before it got warm and half a jam sandwich when the little buggers swarmed around me, must have been the heat off my body as sweat was pouring off my brow after the stiff climb. Even though it was misty and overcast, it was very warm and felt at least the forecast of 19-20c Needless to say, I soon packed up my rucksack hoping not to have swallowed one of the few midges which landed on my butty, and set a course SSE, nipped in the process on face legs and arms, “BUGGER OFF!!!” I shouted wafting my hands.........They took no notice.

While laid in a hospital bed, this was a moment I'd been looking forward to, back on a Lakeland summit and a sense of full recovery.

Well this was it, ‘bog zone’ here we come. The path south from Bleaberry Fell is a good one at the start, but then as I descended into what would be pretty bad wetlands normally, the path breaks up.

Yes there was areas of water, even after such a dry May, but this was easily negotiated, but I could also see huge areas of dried deep mud. I say deep, because of the deep boot prints left behind some time earlier. I was almost expecting to find the odd solitary boot abandoned, but no, only the remains of a hard walked mountain top.

The heather covered tops of the Central Fells

Lovely firm mud made the going easy

Eventually I arrived at a stile. On the other side there was no obvious path to follow same as much of the last mile or so, relying on my compass bearing and picking up the path by more luck than skill. But at this stile, someone on social media had told me to turn left and follow the fence line, which I did, and was thankful of the advice as the cloud had rolled in once more and visibility was poor.

I turned left here, having crossed the stile and followed the fence line

A boundary Stone of Manchester Corporation Water Works (M.C.W.W)

marking the edge of their land around Thirlmere stands amongst the Cotton grass.

Turning left following the fence line brought me to another well established path which followed a fence southwards, the fence eventually breaks right and the path runs diagonally to rejoin the fence at a stile. Crossing the stile soon guides you to ‘High Seat’ 608m 

The trig point can be seen as I approach High Seat in the mist

In this kind of weather, sometimes I find the need to verify the altitude at a summit checking my GPS which to be honest, is all I use it for, preferring my mobile app and my ‘proper’ compass to navigate. I don’t trust electronic compasses. I also carry a map which only sees the light of day if it’s raining. But a nice big trig stands on High Seat, so I knew I was standing in the right spot. Problem was as soon as I stopped I was attacked by nipping midges.

The trig standing on High Seat

A few spots of rain started as I left my third Wainwright of the day in as many hours, again heading through dry mud and some boggy sections, quite often pathless, cloud cleared before another wall of clag lined my route, so much for it clearing up in the afternoon.

The rain started to get a little more persistent and although warm, I didn’t fancy getting too wet, so shell jacket went on leaving my pit zips open to stay cool.

Two very welcome posts, bridge the boggy ground, and It was boggy here. Even after the month long drought we'd had. They made the crossing easy.

Again more deep mud to negotiate as I trek south by the fence line, but thankfully dried up.

I arrived at the 515m high ‘High Tove’ at 12:30pm it’s marked by a large cairn. Midges were fewer in numbers here, that could be due to the light rain. I was making good time, I still felt fit, so although the weather was now deteriorating fast, I wanted to visit ‘Armboth’ my 5th summit of the day still and I was going for it.

keeping an eye on my heading as the path becomes a little indistinct on route to Armboth.

Navigation was tricky to this fell as visibility deteriorated and with a faint path which disappeared occasionally, the compass stayed out until I came across the large rock formations. Checking altitude on my GPS confirmed the summit at 479m. Although I did check out a rock a short distance away seen through the mist, just to be sure.

Approaching Armboth 

Armboth summit 479m

Rather than head west to ‘Middle Crag’ and follow the fence line north back to ‘High Tove’ I decided to just retrace my steps back as I knew there was a faint path back to High Tove.

I sat one last time, back on the cairn at High Tove for a jam sandwich without having to share it with Lakeland midges.

Very quickly the rain changed from spitting to a full on downpour. By the time I’d packed my food away, map (it’s raining) and seat mat, my shorts were soaked to the point of translucency.

But the air temperature was still warm and my top half was dry, as I headed west over the nearby stile and down the grassy path to Watendlath.

It was only here, I crossed paths with a couple walking up the fell after 5 miles and the best part of three and a half hours without seeing a soul.

Suddenly I’d dropped out of the clouds, and the view of Watendlath Tarn, the farm and a fantastic looking valley was revealed. The stone path down to the farm was wet and treacherous, it must have claimed a few elbow fractures in it’s time, not to mention other injuries. So a steady descent on the grass edges brought me safely down to the farm.

A beautiful stone bridge spans Watendlath Beck, and from here I watched mountain bikers heading up the steep climb to ‘Great Crag’ and an angler was seen trying to catch one of the many trout with which the tarn is stocked with.

Watendlath Tarn and farm and the slippery path down

The stone bridge over Watendlath Beck

Watendlath Beck just a short distance downstream from the bridge

I crossed the bridge to follow the path down by the water at the head of the beck, following a few ups and downs but then the path almost levels out and becomes a very steady, flattish walk. The rain had now eased off and my shorts no longer clung to my legs as they dried out slowly.

This section along the beck was really pleasant and relaxing as the sound of a cuckoo was overheard above the other singing birds and together with the sound of rushing water from the beck made a perfect end to this walk.

Crossing the beck at a bridge lower down, led me into a woodland heavily shaded with lots of light deprived vegetation, moss and dead trees.

The path brought me out on the lane, for the final part of the walk, it was now mid afternoon, passing a few cottages overlooking Derwent Water, as a finale, the walk produced ‘surprise view’ a fantastic view of Derwent Water, and way below was The Mary Mount and Ladore Falls Hotels, again still murky so not the day to see it at its best, but worth a drive up, just for this on a nice clear day.

On my return to the car park, a guy from the National Trust was in his van, he asked if I’d walked by Watendlath, and was the film crew still there?

I hadn’t seen any, they probably had the day off due to the weather, but what a treat that would have been to see.

I was glad of the change of clothes, even my boxer shorts were wet. So a quick change in the back of the car, a drink and half a pack of jelly babies and I was ready to go.

I’m disappointed now, having done the walk, I picked the wrong day weather wise, and missed the views, especially as the following day, Sunday was glorious again and clear.

However, I picked an excellent time of year to get this done in one. 11 miles through a lot of bog is tough going and I felt I had it easy. Plus a good opportunity to brush up on my navigation skills in the mist. 5 more Wainwright’s walked, and more importantly building my fitness up after major surgery, but maybe I missed the whole point of why Mr A.W added these fells to his list.

The recorded route

Troutbeck

A drive in darkness up to the Lake District is one of the down sides to a good long day trip out in November, but 6.30am Saturday morning my rucksack was packed, car boot full and I was away M6 bound. 
With little traffic on the road my old reliable Kia had no trouble eating up the road and just under two hours later I was pulling up at a planned free parking spot in Troutbeck close to the church, right on time.

The route I was taking was Sour Howes via the Garburn Pass, Sallows and Troutbeck Tongue, and perhaps Baystones, which would be about 10 miles.

The weather forecast was for a couple of showers early in the day then a bright afternoon. So as I left the car to the sound of an early morning cockerels chorus from a nearby farm I expected the rain not to be very far away, but in fact it never came.

Looking back down the route leading to 'The Howe' with the sound of cockerels filling the fresh morning air. 

I have got to say, these fells did not inspire me reading the notes from Wainwright's guide book, he didn't spend too long on them and wasn't impressed, but I want to explore all areas of the Lakes and experience them for myself, but I really wasn't overly excited about the day in front as I normally am.

The climb up the stoney Garburn Pass is a gentle one to start with, fine views across the Troutbeck valley soon open up.

But then leaving the pass bridleway to then climb the grassy side of Sour Howes becomes a little steep and today it was slippery in the damp conditions.

The full height of the fell is soon gained, but there are a number of lumps and humps on top, which at first glance looks like any one of them could be the summit.

But following a rough path between the grass humps brings you to one with a very small pile of rocks, and having checked my GPS altimeter reading of 483m I was happy I was on top of the true summit of Sour Howes. I think for me, there's a bit of a purest trying to get out, as getting roughly to the top of a fell will just not do. I have a need to be on the top.

looking out to the west, the Coniston and Langdale fells from the slightly confusing Sour Howes summit

The views from this fell open up nicely to the south and west especially, almost the whole of Windermere's length can be seen, Coniston and parts of the Scafell and Langdale fells are on show as well. And to the east Kentmere.

However to the north east the skyline is dominated by the three large peaks of Yoke, Ill Bell, and Froswick neatly in a row.

View of Windermere from Sour Howes

My route ahead in the foreground over Moor Head to Sallows over to the right. And part of the Kentmere Horseshoe peaks dominating with Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick centre.

The rain had held off but a cold wind had picked up on the tops, so hat and gloves went on as I headed north on a squelchy grass trail fairly flat and easy going for most of the way, making good time. So by 10.30am I'd arrived at the second Wainwright summit of the day, Sallows

I was totally underwhelmed by this fell, calling what amounted to a 9 meter strip of raised ground a summit of any worth is a bit over the top. It was a shame the fell would mark my halfway journey to completing the Wainwright's. But it did aid keeping the wind off my back while I sat enjoying hot Vimto, a boiled egg and a banana on one side of the 'mound' err sorry, summit.
But why Alfred Wainwright put this fell in his list and not the nearby Wansfell Pike, which in my opinion has better views is beyond me.

It was only when I left the hill heading down to the Garburn Pass that I actually met another walker. A pleasant local lady in her late 70's who was on her third round of Wainwright's. I guess you wouldn't be up here if you weren't doing them. We chatted for a few minutes, and I enquired about a quicker route down to Troutbeck Tongue. She wasn't totally sure of a safe route, and so I wished her fair well before parting.......I said PARTING!!!

I'd made such good time, I was considering taking on Baystones at this point as well as Troutbeck Tongue, I just needed to find that shortcut down.

Looking down the Garburn Pass towards Troutbeck and Windermere 

view across the Troutbeck valley

Back on the pass which would take me back towards Troutbeck village, but not where I wanted to be going.
I was looking for a route down to Hagg Gill but no path or easy route down could be seen and I didn't fancy fighting my way through thick bracken, nor was I confident of the terrain and sometimes these 'shortcuts' can take longer than an established path in the end. The wind had dropped, the sun was in and out of the patchy cloudy sky but it was beginning to look like a pleasant afternoon as I passed a few people on the now busy path.

As the path descended, I did manage to spot a way down to the bridleway below, but I had backtracked such a long way, it must have added a good couple of miles or more to the route.
So off path, I dropped down the steep hillside to the valley floor.

view of Troutbeck Tongue from the Garburn Pass. This is where I dropped down leaving the path

Back on the valley floor, it was a long flat and muddy walk towards Troutbeck Tongue passing through a sheep farm on the bridleway I eventually arrived at the foot of said fell.

 Not every corner turned in the Lakes is a picture of beauty, but that's a working farm for you

Troutbeck Tongue looking a little steeper as I approch

To be honest, I felt pretty weary at this point, and found a nice little spot by Hagg Gill to grab a bite to eat and a drink. It was very relaxing listening to the water rushing by while I sat on a large rock.

It was at this point, I decided Baystones wouldn't happen today, it had taken too long to backtrack from the Garburn Pass and too many miles. I would just settle for this third fell today.

Having renewed my energy levels, I took the direct route up from the south, but although this fell is only 364m in height, that climb is steep almost all the way up, with muddy wet grass that tends to make you slip constantly, it was a short but sharp climb.

About halfway up, I got chatting to two guys coming down the fell, who were just starting out on their Wainwright journey, I would bump into them later in the pub as they were leaving.

My 108th fell was reached and a rewarding view down the valley of Troutbeck and a setting sun.

As I touched the pile of stones representing the cairn, I kind of fell over on them, knocking the top half of the stones over!!!

I then spent the next few minutes rebuilding it, oops, (roll eyes) nobody will ever know.

The rebuilt cairn of Troutbeck Tongue

I was soon on my way back down the fell, and following the quiet Ing Lane that shadows Trout Beck back towards the village

Calling in at the 'Mortal Man' for that all important end of walk pint. Nice pub with a cracking view from the garden out back, but it was very quiet.

It only left me the short walk down to the church, and the beck beyond where the car was parked.

Thankfully I was staying overnight at the 'Millbeck B&B in Windermere overnight, so just a short drive and time to rest after what turned out to be an excellent day, harder than expected, but then they usually are.

Glencoe Forum Meet

The weather forecast for the weekend in Glencoe wasn't great, with heavy rain forecast and some stiff winds coming in for Friday and again Sunday. But the hope was for a fairly dry and settled day for early Saturday, with a small window of clearer weather, but deteriorating later in the day.

I left home just after the rush hour had passed on the M60 on a very wet Friday morning for the 312 mile drive to Glencoe.

It was a hard drive north with driving winds and heavy rain as forecast for most of the journey, only easing as I reached the southern Highlands.

My second and last stop of the drive was at Loch Lomond

Almost there, the wonderful Glencoe

A minutes drive from the hostel

Seven hours later I arrived at a quiet hostel around 4.30pm, to be met by yorksgal, Summit and snakehips, who'd already settled into the place.

After a quick chat and a catch up from our previous meetings we headed out down the lane while still daylight, to walk the half mile or so to the 'Boots Bar' of the 'Clachaig Inn' where we'd meet local man sparnel and his wife for our evening meal.

The walk is well worth it, as It's a great pub, full of outdoorsy folk, It has a great atmosphere not to mention great food like the Haggis Tatties and Neeps, a choice made by snakehips on this evening, although sparnels order got mixed up a little. You pay at the bar, get a ticket and when your table number is shouted out in a broad Scottish accent you collect the food from the bar and bring it back to your table, sort of self service.

The bar also has live music at weekends from about 9.00pm.

apologies to Sparnel and his wife, I didn't get a snap of us all together.

From left to right, snakehips, yorksgal, Summit and me, jontea.

After a couple of pints of Loch Lomond, and a few good laughs, the long day was telling on us all, and with an early start for the Ballachulish horseshoe in the morning, the group said farewell to Sparnel and his wife, who were unable to join us for the walk.
With head torches on, we made our way back along the pitch black lane to the hostel, twenty minute away, finishing with a quick brew before bed.

A quick brew before bed

Unusually our five bed room had a double bed in it, which had been quickly bagged by snakehips on arrival, I think he fell in love with this bed over the weekend, while the rest of us settled into our standard bunk beds, still chatting until we dropped off one by one. Some of the best conversations, one liners and laughs are from a hostel bunk bed after lights out, and Friday night didn't disappoint.

snakehips double bed, he did love his bed.

In spite of Snakehips loving his big double bed, he is an early early riser and sure enough he was up out of bed by 5.30am making a brew in the hostel kitchen.

Reluctantly, I was up next followed by yorksgal and summit. A cold shower wasn't the best start to the day, I could hear summit screaming from the other side of the hostel, 

but it was refreshing!!!

By 7.00am (extremely early for a hostel meet) we were all having breakfast, making pack ups, drinks and busy sorting our gear for the days hike.

The plan was to take two cars, and park one in South Ballachulish (the end of the walk) then all head back to the start point in Ballachulish itself in the other car. This would save about 3 miles of road walking at the end of the day.

The weather looked promising, overcast but dry and mild for October thanks to hurricane Ophelia, but breezy.

We were actually kitted and ready to walk for 8.50am!!! Unbelievable.

Our route would take us out of the village south, passing the school, before heading west up the steep and boggy side of the more easier ridge which leads to Sgorr Bhan 947m. This peak blocks the view of Sgorr Dhearg 1024m our first Munro. Then a descent of about 250m to a col before the climb to the second Munro of the day, Sgorr Dhonuill at 1001m returning to the col, before descending into Gleann a Chaolais, through the pine forest back to the car. About 9.5 miles and about 4,300ft of ascent, that was the plan.

Sgorr Bhan summit is just left of centre. School House Ridge is to the left of the peak. and our route was keeping just right of the trees, to gain the ridge to the right.

But unfortunately plans can change, and we had talked the night before about walking at a nice steady pace, we had all experienced health issues in recent months apart from yorksgal. Don't get me wrong, we were all capable of doing this walk, we have done many similar together. But none of us were at full fitness, which is why we started early, so to avoid pressure of a quicker pace due to losing light later in the day.

Looking back down at Ballachulish and the Pap of Glencoe (Sgorr na Ciche) popping up over the hill behind.

We made our way up the pathless heather and grassy hillside away from the village, picking our way through boggy patches and random streams of water, before climbing over a wired fence.

Pickled onions anyone?   Summit making it look.........easy?

We felt a bit relieved to pick up the stony path that would take us onto the ridge. There was no sign of deer in the area as summit pointed out plenty of 'Reindeer Lichen' plant on the ground, which would have been eaten if deer were around, although we did hear a stag later in the Glen.

Looking out to the north and west, we could see heavy rain forming in the distance, the clouds were dropping and the wind was changing from light winds to strong gusts, and getting stronger by the minute.

Glen coe looking moody as the cloud moves in

At just over 600m and now on the more exposed ridge, the heavy rain finally caught up with us, coupled with high winds, clearly that forecast for bad weather later in the day came early. The summits were now out of sight in thick clag. 

At this point, if we continued towards Sgorr Bhan, we would be committed to continuing over the summit of Sgorr Dhearg 3,300ft. Without any bail out routes, apart from turning back, as a group, in those conditions we felt it would be unwise to continue on such a big walk, so we decided to leave the summits for another day, and look for an alternative route.

summit checking for an alternative route down

Forum member summit went to look for another option for a circular route back down to the village, rather than retracing our route up, but none could be found safely. So retrace our steps we did.

Back in the village of Ballachulish 

Five hours after starting the walk, we were driving back to the hostel to get a hot shower (this time) and changed.

To be honest, although I felt a little disappointed not to have reached a summit, there was a little bit of pleasure in the fact we had been out for five hours, had some cracking views to start with, and a good refreshing walk, but still back early enough to enjoy the evening.

Had we completed the walk, we would have returned late, probably struggled to find a free table in the pub and would've been totally drained.

We walked back to the 'The Clachaig Inn' a second night and had no trouble getting a table.

Having had a couple of pints and a belly full of food we all looked a little drowsy, and it was only 5pm!!! We would never last the night.

Summit suggested getting our heads down in the hostel for an hour, what a great idea I thought.

Having risen from a nap refreshed, we joined a busy hostel in drinking a few beers, soon snakehips would have his 'Jura' Scotch whisky out, and I presented a bottle of JD to the guys.

With a poor weather forecast for Sunday, there wouldn't be an early rise, so we just enjoyed a great evening into the small hours along with others in the hostel including a chap and his group who'd just completed his 

Munro's.

Once again back in the bunk room funny one liners continued late into the night although the level of Methane and sulphur in the room wasn't as funny, and an open window was essential!!!

But finally the room fell almost silent only for the rain bouncing off that open window.

Sunday morning, we were required to vacate our room by 10am. It was still raining, and once again the forecast wasn't good.

So an early morning walk before departure was shelved. There was talk of a visit to the nearby 'Ice Factor' to have a go on the climbing wall, and had we stayed another night we would have done this, but with a long drive ahead for Snakehips and myself, we decided to leave Glencoe mid morning once we had packed our gear up rather than leave it until early afternoon, which as it turned out, was a good call.

Having said our goodbyes, I left the hostel at 10.15am, it would take almost 9 hours to return home due to the M6 closed on both sides of the carriageway at junction 36 which I got stuck in for almost 2 hours, not what you need on a 312 mile drive.

We'd had two good meets weather wise in October 2014 and 2015, we were not as lucky this time. But although we didn't get much walking done, it was still a good weekend, and great to see forum members again.

Next year I think for me 4 days is needed, and maybe try September?

Thanks for reading, and I would appreciate any comments on your thoughts about the weekend we had.