Sunday 2 May 2004
The barometer seemed to have returned to normal favouring "The Admiral"!
Immaculate blue skies arched above the Lake District for Stephen's outing around Great and Little Langdales but it could only muster 21 members. Spyglass in hand "Where are the rest?" muttered the Tall Ranger! Nevertheless, he excelled again in putting on a good walk visiting all the hidden delights of Chapel-le-Stile, Blea Tarn, Castle Howe and Cathedral Cave.
Rammy John reports:- "31 people + a well behaved dog joined The Lord of the Rams on his Two Towers walk. The weather was sunny and warm but hazy which spoilt the views. The dinner stop saw a steam train puffing along a gorge. Peel Tower was open so some hardy souls climbed the 100ft to the top." Bank Holiday Monday 3 May 2004
It had rained hard overnight and the outlook was very showery.
However, for 28 members who went on Roy's yomp over Beamsley Beacon the sun smiled benevolently. It was a perfect spring day to take in the vistas of Wharfedale, Bolton Abbey, Addingham and Ilkley and the return along the riverside was just idyllic.
Rammy John's despatch:- "After a long absence it was good to see Mary back in her stride as a walk leader. Another well behaved dog + 28 people joined her for the walk around the hills above the West Lancs Plain. The highlight was the return thro The Fairy Glen with the bluebells in full flower carpeting the floor in blue and the scent of the wild garlic in the air."
The Ben Nevis Weekend May 2004
On Friday when everybody was travelling up the weather in the glens was perfect. Perversely the outlook for the next two days was rather dismal with little to choose between them.
17 members of Northern Link were in Fort William but just 12 rostered at the head of Glen Nevis on Saturday morning to take on the big hill. It was a hard wild climb, virtually pathless with plenty of hazards to delay progress. Sun, mist and cloud came and went during the ascent but it did not rain. Around 4000 feet high they climbed above the clouds and could see for miles.
Congratulations to all who achieved Britain's highest point but particularly Cadet Lesley and Viceroy Gordon.
Sunday morning saw 10 of the group stroll by Neptunes Locks on the Caledonian Canal and in the afternoon 5 ascended the 900 foot Cow Hill for panoramic views of Loch Linnhe.
Sunday 9 May 2004
After overnight rain it proved to be a dry warm but dull day with the promise of sunshine that never materialised.
Frank reports:- "31 walkers, including 4 new to the group, turned up setting off from White Coppice up Black Dean Brook to reach the summit of Great Hill, and then onto Darwen Moor for lunch. At this point we ploughed our way through groups of young children doing a sponsored walk over Darwen Moor with the Tower full to bursting with them. Down through Sunnyhurst Woods we went to reach the Royal Arms for a quick pint, and then through Roddlesworth Country Park, finally crossing the moors to Wheelton Plantation and back to White Coppice. The views may have not been great on this day but the flora in the woods was magnificent."
GT reports on the Bird Watch:- "The day was lovely and warm. 16 people did the walk from Marls Wood to Dinckley Bridge. Sat down for lunch then walked back. All of 2 miles in 3 hours. Lots of Birds to see through a High Powered Telescope. Drinks sat outside the Ribchester Arms in the warm sunlight."
Sunday 16 May 2004
A cloudy anticyclone had been in situ for several days but suddenly on Saturday afternoon the skies cleared!
Sunday was a brilliantly sunny, clear and warm day all over linkland.
Wilf was out of action due to "dismantled railway knee" so Roy deputised at Etherow Country Park to lead 14 members over Werneth Low (Hacking Knife and Idle Hill) to a welcome pub call in Broadbottom. The route back was through the wild garlic carpet of Tom Wood and Chisworth Hill.
Chris Greene deputised for the Bowbabe on the Newlands Horseshoe which drew 5 members but John (the not so Shorthouse) was back in action in Cheshire where he got 6 out on the Middlewood Way. Sunday 23 May 2004
High pressure continued to ensure summer weather prevailed everywhere.
The sun had got its hat on again for the Admiral's Erection with a Climax and ground conditions were dry so the cow poo traipse did not materialise.
25 members sampled the delights of Ulverston with Stephen retiring to the Globe Inn beer garden afterwards.
Chris Greene had 4 on his Clwydian Hills walk with 2 more still driving round trying to find it! Wednesday 26 May 2004
Julie says of the evening walk at Hawkshaw - "Last night was a lovely evening for a walk, couldn't have wished for a pleasanter evening. 17 people turned out, some new ones so I was careful to ensure that they were ok with the pace and stiles etc and offered loads of breaks. Afterwards about 12 of us got into the Waggon and Horses for drinks." Sunday 30 May 2004
Roy had 27 in the Washburn Valley but they all nearly got Washed away! Whilst most of Lancashire basked in sunshine Yorkshire suffered torrential downpours. The group had just started their lunch stop at Scargill House when the monsoon arrived. They gave up on waiting for it to clear and proceeded to paddle up the road through Haverah Park. Fortunately by the time they reached the cup and ring rocks on Stainburn Summit the day was bright and dry again.
Bank Holiday Monday 31 May
A sparkling clear and sunny day blessed Jimmy's nettle and tussock tramp twixt Ribble and Hodder where 40 members searched in vain for proper quagmires.
Rammy John reports of Margaret's Bank Holiday Jaunt - "The sun shone and the numbers swelled to 52 for the walk along the picturesque Irwell Valley Trail with fields, woods and passing steam trains. There was a picnic in the park and a walk around the local markets. Some returned by the steam train whilst others opted to use legs. Either way all enjoyed the day."
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