Attendees: Dave Bone, Steve Cheslett, Trish Cranston, Andy Croughton, Dave Dillon, Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, John Hinde, Al Metelko, Mary Stuart, Jenny Varley,

With apologies from the meet leader for this late report.

This was a weekend was fire & water. There was constant heavy, rain - so most of the weekend was spent indoors, close to roaring fires at the hut, or at the Keswick climbing wall (Mary, Dave & Steve) or going shopping (everyone except Dave Dillon, who as Keeper of the Fire stayed at the hut for the whole weekend). Tribute must be paid to those who braved the elements - notably, on Saturday Mark & Michelle walked to Seathwaith and on Sunday Dave Bone & Trish walked up Langstrath, up to Esk Hause, and returned over Allens Crag, Glaramara, Rosthwaite Fell & Rosthwaite. Also, Mark, Michelle, Al & Jenny went for wet runs on Sunday.

In spite of (or perhaps because of) the weather, this was a highly sociable weekend. The meet leader provided Irish stew for all on the Saturday night - we took turns sitting at the table with a group from the Bedford climbing club who were also staying at the hut. Then all had a hand trying to complete a giant crossword from one of the Saturday papers. I seem to remember that the only missing word was the name of a mountain range in North America!

For me, the highlight of the weekend was a visit to the Borrowdale Yews which are though to be about 3,000 years old. It was humbling to stand next to a living thing of that age - we even stopped complaining about the rain!

Bowderstone Cottage (NY 255164), Borrowdale, Keswick, Lakes, £5 per person per night (10 places max, sharing hut with another club), inc. electric and fuel.

Three-tier alpine style bunks, Gas cooking, all cooking utensils/crockery etc, hot water, separate flush toilets, shower, mains electricity

Contact Mary ASAP as places are limited.