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• We arrived to a very cold centre on Friday evening. But, after purchasing logs for the wood burner, wrestling with the heating controls and starting a table tennis tournament (thanks to Linda for supplies and organisation), we began to thaw out, albeit slowly.
  Saturday morning dawned cloudy and nippy. However, some had already departed by 8am for the day’s adventures. These included various walks, taking in: Harter Fell, reservoirs, rivers, waterfalls, industrial heritage, walled gardens, parts of the Pennine Way and, of course, the odd café. The road cyclists set off on a 25mile circuit but experienced some unexpected drama as one of the group skidded off his bike. Although bruised and battered, he remained stoical throughout and help came from a friendly local. Elen and Bill completed a mighty mountain bike trail with new dog Weaver. Afterwards and out of the three, he looked the most lively!
  The evening commenced with some aromatic mulled wine (thanks to Elen) and for many, a trip to the pub for more aperitifs! We sat down for our delicious three course Christmas meal at 7pm. Jo had worked tirelessly all day to prepare and cook the turkey and vegetables – a huge thank you Jo!. The other chefs had also put in lots of work behind the scenes for the other courses and so a thank you to them also (Hazel and Elen for soups, Mary for the Jalousie, Chris for the home-made Christmas puddings, Marianne for the cheesecake and Elen for the chocolate mousse). We were all spoilt for choice! At the end of the meal, brief speeches and awards were given as per tradition.
  The merriment continued with some gentle circle dancing (thank you Vanda) and then more drinking, chat and dancing until midnight, with music from DJ Paul (thanks to his sound system and play list).
  We had to vacate the centre on Sunday morning but everyone had surfaced by 8.30am and then, with true CMC team work, we tidied, vacuumed, washed up, mopped and cleaned the centre. It was certainly in better shape than we first arrived.
  Various Sunday outings took place including more walks, visits to Low and High Force, Gibson’s Cave (hideout for a loveable rogue William Gibson, in the 1500s, on the run from the Constables!), Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle.
  The weekend was a great success and we enjoyed the different scenery of Teesdale with all it has to offer. Perhaps what made it special was the camaraderie that the Club is so well known for. Everyone chips in when there is a problem or a job to do. We missed the members who couldn’t make it but hope you can come next year!
  A final THANK YOU to all who contributed to the weekend. Brilliant company as always. Looking forward to 2023 already!!
  Ali

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The weather gods looked kindly on us, so that 14 of us had a great walk of twelve a a half miles from Hathersage. The aim of the walk was to visit six of the seven halls reputable built by Robert Eyre for his sons in the sixteenth century. Local knowledge saved the walk leader from going too far astray. The weather improved over the day and we experienced a great sunset from Moorseats Hall. Thanks to all those who came. David

Seven of us met for this walk – starting in mist so thick we could barely see out of the car park. Things brightened up as we covered Stanage Edge, the pole, Moscar Moor, Ridgewayside, and Carrhead rocks – with many historical interludes. Finishing at dusk. There may be photos of members being lowered into Robin Hood’s cave, and emerging from it, on other media. Geoff.

Ullapool meet 22nd – 30th October
Eight of us used a bunkhouse just S of Ullapool for this trip. A great location for hills. Generally fine weather, and beautiful trees. Almost as warm as Kalymnos, the alternative venue for this time of year! Parties covered the Fannichs over 3 days, Beinn Dearg, the remote Seana Bhraigh and other local hills. Good for Munro hunters. Many more fine hills left to do, so could easily use the same place again. Good to meet up with local resident Sue Miller. Guest appearances from Dave (mate of John Hutchinson), Pete Wimbush from the Peak CC, and Josh from Macclesfield.
Geoff

Gordon

Five hardy climbers, two spectators and a cockapoo braved the elements at Hen Cloud today. The chilly autumn winds made it hard to believe that only a few weeks ago we were setting off at 6am to avoid the heatwave in Pembroke! Two teams enjoyed classic routes including Roof Route, K2 and Great Chimney. The highlight (lowlight?) was a three man assault on the Central Climb which started with some impressive grunting and an even more impressive belly-flop finish by the leader of the first pitch which was followed by a massive rope tangle on the first belay ledge, continued with various subterfuges to avoid the crux of the second pitch and ended with several variations when topping out of the final pitch. We finished slightly earlier than we might otherwise have done to avoid hypothermia. Paul Embley

A cool but dry day saw Members climbing routes graded from Severe to HVS. There is nowhere else in the Peak where you can climb 40 metre routes in such a beautiful setting, We were looking down through the trees on the River Derwent.
Some great climbing was enjoyed. The guidebook has comments such as “dramatic position” and “climb the wall on cool holds” about some of the routes done.
The need to abseil from the crag top was an inconvenience but not a significant issue. A really good crag – go and experience it for yourselves if you have never done so!
David

Saturday saw 11 members of the club rendezvousing at the campsite. Two visiting for the day and one delayed arrival. Two teams went off climbing on Castle Helen and Holyhead mountain. A figure of eight walk planned from the campsite to allow the delayed arrival to join in. The weather Gods were smiling on us on the Saturday; however, it seemed that the traffic Gods had gone away for the weekend causing the late arrival and ensuring the journey back on Sunday took 5+ hours to complete.
A Barbeque on the evening went on into the dark, mainly because the Holyhead mountain climbers didn’t want to leave the crag while there was enough light to keep climbing,
Sunday morning was bright and warm, but it was going to rain at some stage (well it is Wales). Forecast said between 10.00 and 2.00, depending on who’s phone you look at. The Holyhead mountain climber decided to go back and tick off a few more of the excellent routes on offer.
The remaining Party decided to drive to Wylfa head and take in the views of the redundant nuclear power station and walk along the coast towards Cemaes Bay as far as Llanbadrig Point, taking lunch in the shelter of the church at T’y n-llan.
Trying to keep the group walking was proving hopeless. Bushes along the way were systematically stripped of all their fruits and when the beach was reached at Cemaes they ripped off their clothes and threw themselves into the Irish sea! The only way to stop them swimming back to Wylfa was the promise of a cafe stop. Cemaes didn’t disappoint because the tearoom was excellent. Trying to get them out of the tearoom was also proving difficult and some members of the group were becoming visibly distressed by having to leave without tasting the marmalade cake!
Arriving at the church saw the first rain drops. After lunch we took a more direct route back, taking waterproofs on and off several times along the way,
Thanks to everyone for coming. hope to see you all again in Anglesey .
Leon.

9 members [or it might have been 10] eventually gathered at the left hand, north end of Stanage for a delightful day of climbing in warm sunshine, great views over the moors and minimal midges. Some arrived with only a helmet and harness [including I have to admit, this meet leader] with no intention to lead and a variety of almost plausible excuses. But eventually there were 5 leaders and various grades of climb were completed successfully. Having not been on a Castle climbing meet for a while, I was reassured that a request for a ‘tight rope’ was still understood, that using knees occasionally was seen to be acceptable, as was the odd swear word when stressed [Charles would certainly have been teasing me about completing a 2-shit climb]. So thank you all for your very agreeable company [and I hope the gear was successfully retrieved].
Vanda Boyd