Present:-

WALKERS: Paul Dewhirst, Margaret Baldock, Brian Taylor, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, John Dobson, Keith Williams, Ian McCallum, Lester Payne, John Thorley, Dave Wylie, Richard Dobson, Ian Dobson, Sue Brook, Andrew Croughton, Christine Beeston, Dave Dillon, Neville Macmilan, Tony Gask, Shena Hendrie, Mark Garod, Michelle Harvie, Robert Clark, Linda Batey.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS: Rob Allen, Rick Kruze, Ruth Ashton, Ruth.

There was a fantastic turnout for this meet, something to do with the brilliant autumn weather and the promise of fine Lakeland views and walking.

The walkers set off to tackle the Kentmere Horseshoe at 10.00 a.m. The group went in an anticlockwise direction up over Kentmere Pike, Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, Thornthwaite Beacon, Froswick, Ill Bell, Yoke, and back down the Garburn Pass track back to Kentmere Church and the car park at the entrance to the village. There were the usual tea and butty stops, the one at Thornthwaite Beacon attracting the attention of some butty mugging sheep. The circuit deserves it's reputation as one of the classics of the lake district and we had a fine day for completing it, with clear views down towards Haweswater and Windermere, and across towards the central fells.

The mountain bikers had an equally good day, completing a circuit in and around the Kentmere Valley.

We rounded off the day with tea and cake back at Brunt Knott Farm, a collection was made and £50 was raised and sent to the Christies Hospital in Manchester.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it a great day on the hills.

Map: The English Lakes SE Area, Outdoor Leisure 7.

Meet at Kentmere Church SD 457 041. Start time 10:00am

Kentmere is one of the quieter Lakeland valleys and is the starting point of one of Lakelands classic walks, the Kentmere horseshoe. The walk that we will do will be weather and enthusiasm dependent. It will be either the classic Kentmere horseshoe from Kentmere taking in Ill Bell, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter fell, Kentmere Pike and back to Kentmere, or a curcuit from Kentmere taking in Kentmere Pike, Harter fell, Longsleddale and back to Kentmere. There is an extensive network of bridlepaths in the area, some of which have interesting ascents/descents. So there is lots of potential for an alternative mountain biking circuit. Mountain bikes can be hired in Staveley village. I will provide details nearer the time to anyone who is interested.