Members Present: Dave Wylie, Phil Ramsbottom, Chris Thickett, Virginia Castick, Lester Payne, Dave Bish, Trudie Young, James Hoyle, Kasia Hoyle.

Guests Present: Mark Heslop, Steve Hoyle (Dad), Len Klejnow, Mike, Alan, Caroline. (Sorry about surnames but pen stopped working on damp paper)

The weather prior to this event had been pretty dire with gallons of rain falling over the previous week. However the forecast for the Sunday ended up being fairly good and it looked like a promising day as Kasia, me and my dad set off for Rydal. Quite a few others obviously thought so too and a group of 14 of us headed off up the steep path towards Heron Pike, including Trudie Young with a group of fellow walkers. The clouds were high enough at this point to allow good views down to Rydal Water, Grasmere and Windermere. By the time we reached the next top of Great Rigg it was time for coffee and for the clouds to close in around us. At this point Dave Bish suddenly sprinted past promising to catch us up as he accelerated away to complete a round of Fairfield that also included Seat Sandal and Helvellyn.

Light drizzle began to fall and it was pretty cold as we made our way up to Fairfield's summit. Things soon heated up however as Midge found a pair of discarded lady's knickers but the damsel in distress was nowhere to be seen so we left them on top of the summit cairn in case she came to look for them later! A few snowy patches filled the gullies at the edges of the summit plateau and it took little persuasion to convince everyone that this windswept place was not the place for lunch. Being slightly disorientated on the summit I took one trusty look at my map and compass and I was off? in totally the wrong direction! Before I even had a chance to say "scenic route" Chris Thickett spotted my deliberate error and we were soon back on track.

It was a cloudy, speedy romp over Dove Crag and High Pike and the decision was taken to head down the valley side to take a look at Buckstone's Jump, which is well worth the detour if you've not seen it before. A natural rock dam sort of blocks the river causing it to flow off to one side and down a small waterfall before continuing on its way. After leaping a few fences we were back at Rydal Hall and most of those assembled popped into the Badgers Bar for a spot of light refreshment. Dave Bish got back at this point enabling me to conclusively prove I hadn't lost anyone on the first meet I have led.

It was a good walk, with good company and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

This will be the classic Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal. In my opinion one of the finest winter walks in the lakes with stunning rugged views from the summit, especially if there's a bit of the white stuff about. The walk takes in several smaller peaks including Great Rigg and Dove Crag before descending back down to Rydal.

Hopefully all present will then retire, with glowing faces, to the rather quirky Badgers Bar for a little light refreshment. It looks to be about 13 kilometres on the map and if memory serves me correctly it will take about 5 hours to get round so I'm suggesting we meet in the small lane next to Rydal church from 9:30 for a 10 O'clock start. There should be ample parking.