Having got soaked well and truly earlier in the week on a promising forecast of light rain showers and sunny spells I was slightly hesitant in setting off on a heavy showers and breezy weather outlook. Thankfully Shirley and Martin had the same thought so undeterred we decided to switch to plan B and meet for a walk in the Dales instead.

Saturday morning dawned heavy rain bouncing down outside as it had done for most of the night. Oh dear! but plans are plans so throwing everything into my new plastic rucksack liner especially resourced for such an occasion I debated seriously wether to gear up in the garage before heading out.

As I drove up out of Settle over the Moor (a delightful ride on most occasions) a faint glimmer of bright light could be seen encroaching over the sodden landscape from the west. Arriving at Airton to meet the others a total transformation started to occur hard to believe but blue skies and sunshine started to break through. So off we set over to Calton, Winterburn Reservoir, Hanlith Moor, Kirkby Malham ( by this time in tee shirts wishing we had shorts on!) and back to Airton. Great views, good company, nice chocolate tiffin ( thanks Shirley) 11.5 miles no rain, no jacket fab.

The day was fine but with a stiff breeze. From Hardraw our route took us north west over easy ground, apart from a stretch of dense, head-high bracken which, to be fair, we had been forewarned about. Arriving in Cotterdale at 11.40am we all agreed it was time for first lunch. Having done well over 3 miles and being exhausted from bracken-bashing, we all thought we deserved it, even those who had had coffee and flapjack before leaving Settle. 

From Cotterdale we went up the zig-zag trail through the plantation. When we eventually caught up with Flo (who was waiting patiently for the stragglers ie everyone else) she said we were taking a different route to that planned. It seemed that the good track heading north to Jinglemea wasn’t boggy enough for her liking so instead we headed east straight up the hill to join the Pennine Way. I think this was just a ruse to get us moving faster, stand still for a moment and you’d disappear in the mire. Once on the slab path of the Pennine Way we made good time heading north to the top of Great Shunner Fell. We all agreed it was time to stop for second lunch and take in the views so we tried to get out of the cold wind in the summit shelter.

Heading back southwards along the Pennine Way, we stepped off the Millstone Grit and on to limestone and Flo pointed out some spectacular fossils that looked like tyre tracks.

After about an hour of descent we all agreed it was time for another stop. I was out of tea by now but still it was good to sit in the sun and be out of the wind. The locals didn’t seem to mind the intrusion.

Another mile or so and we were back in Hardraw where, thankfully, the tea shop was still open and a minor tea crisis was averted.

Thanks to the leader for leading and to the drivers for driving. Another quality outing.

Summary. Distance: 10.5miles. Ascent: 1820ft. Avg speed: 2.1mph. Fatalities: 0.

Relive track (recorded by Shirley): https://www.relive.cc/view/rt10007445865