Lovely morning but competition from nearby groups so we had to make do without our good friends East of the Pennines who were attracted to the fleshpots of Hellifield. Their loss. Perhaps they don't know we can do proper hills on this side of the border as well.

We still attracted a good sized turn out with good support from East Lancs and the now defunct Morecambe Bay groups. Sixteen of us set off with a gentle start before a gradual climb up to Dunsop Head with glimpses of deer. Then the fun started with a couple of stiff ascents and descents passing Whitendale and Brennands Farm before a descent to the Trough Road for a bite of lunch. The mobile snack bar provided excellent coffee in pot mugs.

We now joined a section of next years 100 with a steep climb up toward Mellor Knoll and on in the direction of Chipping. Recent storms made the forest section very interesting with limbo skills very much to the fore. Those with dodgy knees suffered a bit here. Down to Burholme Bridge and up Fielding Clough to Giddy Bridge and then a low level return into Dunsop Bridge.

Superb views for most of the day, plenty of wildlife to see (deer, raptors and bird chicks), good company and back in time for football results. 19 miles with over 4000' ascent. A grand day out. Thanks Norman.

John

Two sets of photos:

From Julie:

From Joyce & Walt Sidebottom: