Silver Wedding Meet

Members: Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Kevin Anderson, Sheena Hendrie, Graham Harkness, Sue Harkness, Dave Garland, John Evans, Andy Croughton, Lester Payne, John Dobson, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Joanne Castick, John Castick, Virginia Castick.

Guests: Fay Castick, Michael Whipp, Charles Whipp, Jane Jackson, Lynn Pearn, Kate Spark, Kirsten ?

The Lake District Was most unwelcoming with heavy cloud cover on the main tops on Saturday. We left the cottage and walked directly behind it up the steep hillside onto Sheffield Pike. Jim gave us a salutary warning about dropping litter as Graham tried to hide his errant teabag. We set off to walk around the head of Glencoyne but were stopped in our tracks by a patch of hard snow across the path. The ground is very steep at this point so we teetered gingerly across leaving three to take a safer route back. The views along Ullswater were dramatic despite the threatening rain and after a brief visit to Aira Force we splodged across the fields back to Glenridding. John had spent the day shopping and then cooking three huge cow pies. He was up to his elbows in pastry looking very hot when we returned. Master chef Charles looked on in approval. Sue had made soup and a fruit crumble to add to the feast. The results were delicious. The cottage quickly filled with people and much beer was consumed. The main beer drinkers left to enjoy a cosy night in the nearby Gillside Farm Bunkhouse whilst the rest of us distributed ourselves around our cottage and the neighbour's cottage.

Sunday produced no better weather. Most people walked up to Boardale Hause, along Beda Fell ridge and back along the lakeside path. Jane was uncomplaining despite her raw and bleeding feet. John Evans and crew went rock climbing on nearby Gowbarrow crag and managed a V.Diff which must have been very slippery.

Back at the cottage Fay plied us with soup, crumpets and homemade cake before we all left in a downpour. Thank you to all who came. John and I had a lovely weekend made all the better for your company.

John and Midge have pleasure in inviting all members to their Silver Wedding Weekend at 11 Halton Terrace Glenridding.

Saturday will be an alpine ascent of the North face of Helvellyn, Descending on skis from the summit all the way back to the mines. Sunday will be another spectacular winter climb in Nethermost Cove and after breaking through the thick cornice into perfect sunshine we will jump back over the edge and glissade all the way to Ruthwaite Lodge??.. Anyway, whatever the weather walks will start from the cottage door at 9.30am both Saturday and Sunday.

A constant supply of soup, tea and cakes will be available throughout the weekend. Gillside Farm Bunkhouse has been booked, 20 places or just come for the day. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.