Saturday
It was an early start (as always!) Saturday morning. And those who weren't up early were soon ushered out of bed when Steesh set off the the fire alarm and we had to evacuate...Oops...

The hard walk, destined to leave at 9am, was ready and waiting on time - but still there at 9:30am. However it eventually left, and took us along a ridge in the Kinder Scout area of the Peaks. Vince – with never ending enthusiasm - volunteered to lead the walk (his first time leading a walk let alone a hard one!) with the help of Dan.  In true walking club style he missed a path and we walked half a mile in the wrong direction, then across the moors on what I don’t believe was a path..?? Not that we noticed as we were all trying on Frank's witches hat.  Half way round the walk we were all ready for some dinner – and found a sheltered area out of the wind to eat our sarnies (to those who don't know - Max - this means sandwiches). Very soon the pub was in site and although it was still about four miles away (some of us have good vision) it spurred us on to finish the walk quite fast and we were all ready for a pint or alternative beverage. The bunkhouse was still 3 miles away, and with only an hour to get back we decided to set off quickly, we found the path which was blocked by a large tree – with no way around apart from through a bog! This plan was soon abandoned and all but three of the group went back to the pub! The brave three set off along the road at a fast pace set by Claudia to go and pick up the minibuses, I want my christmas dinner..............!!!

The medium walkers followed Brian up onto the windy tops before dropping down into the valley. The pace was, to put it politely, leisurely...some struggled with blisters, some with symptoms from the night before....After a relaxed lunch stop, Guillaume & Steve headed back to the bunk house, whilst everyone else continued their walk around Ladybower Reservoir and on to the pub. After a swift pint, it was a brisk walk back across the fields in an attempt to reach the bunkhouse before dark. Futile, it was dark when we got back, just in time to start peeling the potatoes.

The great kitchen made preparing Christmas dinner fairly easy. A team of four prepped the veg and potatoes, with special credit to Cathy who almost broke her shoulder trying to chop the swede! A few burns later and dinner was served, to the sound of crackers and party poppers.

After a few drinking games involving hand tapping, most people retired upstairs for a few more beers. More card games and witch-hat passing ensued. Come midnight it was happy birthday to Lynne, a few lessons in how to tie a tie, and Beci's recollection of a dog song, famously sung by Mark last year in Scotland...you know, the one which goes "Got myself a begging, barking, wagging, digging Living DOG...got to do the best to please her, walk her feed her Living DOG....mmmm, Beci - I think you meant Living Doll...

Sunday 3rd December
It was a windy morning when we finally made it out of bed for an 11am start. The group split into 2 - most heading out for a walk directly from the bunk house, the rest heading to Castleton towards Mam Tor.

The "Easy" walkers headed to Castleton, where some chose the coffee shop option while the rest headed towards Lose Hill and the ridge to Mam Tor. By the time we were half way up, it was apparent that the wind was a little stronger than anticipated, and toward the top it became so strong that Claudia and Lynne could barely stand and Kieran's glasses were blown right from his face, never to be seen again. Exhillarating though it was on the top, it was also rather dangerous, so we took the next path down off the ridge, across the fields (over a couple of fences!) and back into Castleton for soup, tea and cake. An interesting walk to say the least!

Back at the accommodation the other group were soon back and we sped off back to Leeds for the traditional curry. It was a good turn out and a fitting end to a great weekend!