Worry, stress, cold sweats, sleepless nights and mood swings. Not sure all this can be connected with leading your first walk Julie.

Hoping nobody showed up so she could sneak home again, she was stunned to find 15 souls including members from W Yorks, East Lancs & Calderdale waiting to be led astray. We also welcomed a new member to our group, Terry. Helen volunteered to take photos.

An early start for us all, but Tom topped the list with a train from York shortly after 5am.Thats keen.

Billed as slower pace, there was no evidence of this as Julie's nervous energy came to the fore and we made Gibson Mill in good time. The pull up to Walshaw slowed the pace somewhat but then a problem. The route on a permissive path had been closed and a detour was called for. Admirably resolved in moments an extra mile and a half was added to the days outing. Rebecca reckoned the path would be closed for shooting as 1st October was the start of the pheasant season.

On to Top Withins, the 'Wuthering Heights' of Emily Bronte fame. Not many folk about. Presume the early morning flight from Tokyo delayed. No time to dawdle as no lunch until Haworth had been achieved. On arrival Julie announces a half hour lunch break so the group can do whatever takes their fancy (pub, cafe, shopping etc). Along with several others I sat on the church steps dining alfresco listening to the efforts of a busker. We moved on once he snapped one of his strings.

A longstanding ambition of Julie's was to get hold of Tom's confectionery. Discretion prevents me from revealing whether or not she was successful.

There was a climb out of Haworth with Stoodley Pike prominent on the horizon before a gentle descent into Midgehole. Surprisingly, the Blue Pig was shut. Then the sting in the tail - the ascent to Heptonstall. By the time we summitted most were ready to quench their thirst in either the tea rooms or the pub. A lovely end to a hot summers day.