Present : Alan Peck, Chris Thickett, Iain McCallum, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Dave Shotton, Sue Brookes, Joe Flynn, Pete Walker, Dave Sumerfield, Phil Ramsbottom, Keith Williams, Margaret Williams, Frank Williams.

Guests : Nicoletta Bobola, Peter Hughes.

The forecast was awful and as we drove over via the M66 it was raining and the clag was down so I didn't expect a great turnout for this bog trot over the west Lancs moors. Nevertheless, in these days of the last hours of ancient sunlight* folks rang around and we filled the car with five of us. Already at the car park a few KMC'ers were preparing more and more turned up till the complement reached 15, nearly all old friends and longer standing members of the club.

Chris announced that the route wasn't 8 or 9 miles but about 11.5 and suggest a few useful corner cuts. However, I resisted this since I hadn't done 12 since my pacemaker implant, would it stand the strain? I'd handed maps out with gathering points marked in red, which in the event seemed redundant. We left going up the road with further efforts at insubordination suppressed, and swung north along the stony track to Chadderton Close just beyond which we joined the Rossendale Way and turning north west over Beetle Hill. We couldn't get lost, just follow Dave Sumerfield's giant umbrella!

It was great that fellow Via ferrata'ists Chris, Phil, Pete Walker and also later Keith Williams were all present, and what a contrast this trog made to something like Le Trincee !! The route through Alden Ratchers and the gullies below Musden Head moor was full of interest and running water although the weather was improving. We stopped at a ruined farm near Causeway End, the rain had stopped and everyone was content to have lunch, plenty of seating and shelter behind the walls. From here we turned west and south, joined by Keith Williams, and through the chaos caused by building work at Whowell's and on to "The Toby" pub. Surprisingly no one wanted a drink so we carried on south on Broadhead Road to swing left past the reek of the maggot farm and pick up the run-in route of the Three Towers fell race. Keith had joined us somewhere near Whowell Heights and unfortunately had to suffer some of the worst boggy bits on the route. The seepage area on the watershed leading to Bull Hill was the bog trotter's delight as we turned south again to the Pilgrims' Cross where the party gathered, removing "ot's" and having brews again.

From the Peel Tower (one of the few times we've seen it open) we took the direttissima descent down to the Bury Road, B6214, in much improving weather. So the optimism or foolhardiness of the group had paid off and we finished in the dry. Everyone was wearing damp clothing so the idea of the pub didn't appeal and we all made our way home. It was a joy to see people like Dave Sumerfield and catch up with the doings of Pippa and Toby. It was a delight to see Nicoletta again even though conditions were far removed from those of her native Italy. So thanks for supporting the meet, everybody seemed to enjoy it, and it was heart warming to be able to greet so many friends in the KMC. Iain gave JKW a lift back to his car at the Toby Inn.

Plug for my working meet in October, we're hoping to do some decorating, ring me to book a place !

* "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight" by Thom Hartmann, a revealing book about our profligate use of fossil fuels, the fact that they will run out soon, and what to do about it.

Meet at the car park on the B6214 south of Holcombe, GR 782163. Explorer 19 map West Pennine Moors. Time 10.00 for 10.15 start.

The distance is about 8 to 9 miles, past the pub heading north, Chatterton Close, then on Rossendale Way across Alden Brook, north towards Great House, west to Musden Head Moor, and on leaving the RW west to Causeway End. Turning South to Whowell Heights to join the road at the pub, (unlike Len I don't know their names), a bit of road which we leave at Springsides Farm, south to near Crowthorn Delf where we turn east up the track to cross the moor towards Bull Hill, round it south or north depending on red flags and then over Holcombe Moor to Pilgrims' Cross ( "Stone" on map ) and returning south across Harcles Hill to the Peel Tower and back down to the Car Park.

There are a few pubs for refreshments and since we (M and I) are geriatric we will propose sheltered collecting points where we can reconnect with the speedies. This is decidedly Thickett country so if I get lost he may be there to guide us!!

For those who don't know the area it is a varied route with a mix of tracks and paths (bogs) and wild moorland as well as farm lanes and paths. The last two miles are the finish route of the Three Towers Fell Race, quite rough going in the event after 20 miles or so.