Present: Alan (Liverpool Jones, Iain McCallum, Phil Ramsbottom, Chris Thickett, Kate Sparks, Keith Williams, Frank Williams, P. Walker.

Snow White and 6 accompanying males, 3 of whom are sexagenarians and at least 2 are vertically challenged.

An honorable mention for Frank, who having promised Kate a lift, brought her to the start even though he was unable to take part in the walk himself. Thanks Frank

Kate said she thought she had landed in an episode of "Last of the Summer Wine" the only female with a somewhat older group of men. 7 of us assembled in Rawtenstall having failed to be deterred by the poor (wet) weather forecast or the prospect of an 18-mile bog trot. A recce of the rout with Phil & Iain showed too much road walking on the official way marked route but careful study of the map by Phil produced alternative paths to make it a much day. The walking is in four sections. Firstly down through the town and up and round Cribden Hill and the north along the broad ridge to Great Hameldon and its collection of aerial masts. All along this section newly born lambs were being welcomed into a rather cold wet world, some failing to survive. A descent to the A682 by Clow Bridge completed the 1st leg. The next leg was quite short, over the moor to Water, following an old pack horse trail with its summit marked by an ancient cross.

The Commercial Inn in Water has a welcoming open fire and keeps a good pint of Theakstone's - but beware the gents toilet which seems to have been recycled from a surplus Gestapo gas chamber. Leg 3 goes from Water to Waterfront via Dean and Edgerside and would have had quite a bit of road walking but for Phil's re-planning. This had all been done at quite a good pace with the meet leader leading from the rear like a world war one general with Keith Williams and others setting the pace up front. Like all true pace makers Mr. Williams dropped out after 3 laps to go home to do some urgent work, 6 of us pressed on with the fourth leg up and over The Cowpe and back to Rawtenstall, this sting in the tail being probably the steepest ascent and descent of the day.

In the end the walk turned out better than I expected, mainly thanks to Phil; but I don't think it is a classic and can see why the KMC haven't been there for a while.

What I can't imagine is what Kate must have thought of her day out with 6 boring old farts - I just can't think!

Maps: Landranger 103 Blackburn & Burnley, also latest edition of South Pennine Sheet Outdoor Leisure 21.

Park: Marlpits Recreation Ground, Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall. GR 820 230.

Start: 9 o'clock.

Distance: 18 miles.

The ROUTE takes in Cribden hill, Hamelden Hill, Clowbridge Reservoir, Water, Dean, Edgeside, Cowpe Lowe, Cloughfold. Possible pub stop at the commercial Inn at Water (Hancock's bitter).

This walk roughly follows the route of the Rossendale Fell race and is now an "official" route i.e. waymarked; with certificates from the Mayor of Rawtenstall if you happen to complete the round on the right day (September; the first Sunday). It was a favourate of Milly and Bowden Black's which is enough recommendation in itself.

Eighteen miles of paths and tracks with enough bog to satisfy you for a whole year.