Over the weekend of January 21^st and 22^nd twenty eight club members, friends and families hired the Dufton Youth Hostel on the edge of the north Pennines for the annual Eden weekend. The full list of those present is given below.

Saturday was spent on a variety of outdoor activities with all parties enjoying a bright day in cool and clear conditions. Cycling amongst the Pennine foothills was the favoured activity of the Owen family and John, Roger and Bob S with at least one party making good use of coffee and teashop opportunities en route. Ian tackled something more challenging by making the climb to the top of Hartside pass. But the hard men on mountain bikes (Phil, Graham B and Andrew P) undertook a serious off road trip, crossing the Pennine watershed twice at well over 2000 feet and cycling through (literally) the headwaters of both the Tees and the Tyne. Meanwhile the families with young children enjoyed short walks in the countryside and particularly a trip to a nearby ostrich farm while two hardy souls took a long walk along the Pennine Way through High Cup Nick (Steve and Karen). Ros also managed a solo bike ride after her familial duties.

On Sunday walking was the order of the day. Again families tended to stick to the nearby countryside but Bob O, Sue, George and Helen joined the main walk for a few miles and hills: a group of nine aimed to do a ridge walk to Great Dun Fell (Steve, Karen, both Grahams, Margaret, Andrew P, Roger, Judith and Bob S). Unfortunately the mist was down to about 1800 feet and at higher levels a strong and bitterly cold east wind was blowing. After walking part of the main ridge in thoroughly unpleasant conditions and a hurried lunch in a sheltered hollow, there was general agreement that down was a better idea than up. We returned to the youth hostel for very welcome hot drinks.

As usual on the Saturday night we had had the traditional communal meal. Everyone had brought something to the feast and the hostel (which has been recently modernised) proved to be a good venue. Altogether a great weekend.

Thanks are due to Graham Bulmer and Ros Clarke for their organisation - and to Bob Scholey for writing this report.

Participants:

The Clarkes; Ian, Ros, Nicole, Andrew

The Owens; Bob, Sue, Frances, George, Helen

The Hattons; John, Carol, David

The Wordens; Mike, Sian, Lilly, Ellen

The Youngs; Phil, Judith, Elly, Anna

Steve Paddock, Karen, Margaret Blakeborough, Graham James, Graham Bulmer, Andrew Parkinson, Roger Williams, Bob Scholey

Most of us on the walk on Sunday

Steve's Pictures -

.....and some from Phil, Parky's and Grahams cycle ride:

.....and some of Mike's: