Members Present:   Andrew Ketley, Rachel Ketley, Lorna Marsland, Lester Payne, Dave Wylie, Keith Williams (meet leader)

Guest: Dave Swindlehurst

Had I been a free agent, I would have done what many others obviously did at 7.00am: heard the rain beating on the window, turned over and gone back to sleep.  Alas, no such luck and a quick check on the rainfall radar showed the rain clearing the south Lakes.  By the time I reached Grassington it had stopped and though the flags weren’t exactly cracking, it was dry, if with a cold wind.

Just as we were leaving, Lester skidded into the car park with a reverse handbrake turn, forgot to pay for his parking but then made good time up to the mine workings at Cupola Corner.  The wind got colder so we walked faster; over Bycliffe Hill and across Black Edge thankful that we weren’t lead miners about to embark on a 12 hour shift.  Soon we were at Mossdale Scar where Mossdale Beck dives underground.  Dave Wylie reminded us that this was the site of the worst caving accident in Britain when six cavers were drowned by a major storm in 1967.  That set us up for a quick, cold, but reflective lunch at the shooting cabin before heading over to Silver Rake and the trig point at Capplestone Gate.

A bit later than forecast, the sun came out between ragged tatters of blue and the promised sheep-manicured swards caressed everyone’s feet except Lester’s.  At which point the meet leader had to spoil it by taking a wrong turning.  This was soon rectified however, and before you could say “Put the kettle on”, most folks were in the café in Grassington looking forward to catching up on the sleep that they’d forgone in the morning.

At least it was useful training for a trip to Peru . . .

Venue: Grassington and Coniston minefield (no additional protection required)

Start: 09.45 for 10.00 departure from the Y D National Park Car Park, Grassington. (Cost: £4.20)

Route: From the village, the route heads NE to Bycliffe Hill on the edge of Grassington Moor, then NW via Mossdale Scar to Conistone Moor. The trig point at 512m is followed by a descent on verdant sheep-manicured paths to the Dalesway which takes us back to Grassington.

Distance: About 14 miles of glorious walking, some through the extensive 18th C lead mine workings of the Pennine Orefield. An alternative lower route is available if the weather is abysmal which passes very close to the Tennant Arms at Kilnsey . . .

Note to dog-owners (if there are any): We will be into the beginning of the bird-nesting and lambing season so a short lead will be required at all times.