This year's Lesbian Bonfire was set in the Dales - in Upper Wharfedale - staying at the Confluence Centre.

The centre is housed in a beautifully converted barn, with twin rooms and nice communal spaces. As usual, we had the whole place to ourselves.

Everyone arrived over the afternoon, congrugating in the kitchen for a cuppa, settling themselves into rooms, then getting to know each other in the large lounge/dining room upstairs.

The centre additionally had a games room with a pool table and more tea/coffee facilities; an efficient drying room; and a large outdoor barbeque that we planned to use on one of the nights.

After dinner, we played pool, chatted, or headed to bed early after our journeys.

The next morning we woke to superb weather - frosty, sun and blue skies - a day full of promise.

After clearing up breakfast we headed out, amulgamating the two groups since everyone felt up to a good walk on Kilnsey Moor.

Our route took us up Mastiles Lane as if walking towards Malham Tarn.

Looking back we had fine views over Upper Wharfedale.

However before reaching the tarn we turned south over the moors to circle around Bordley Farm, encountering some highland cattle in the process.

Now we dipped down into pretty Bordley valley to cross the beck near Bordley Hall, stopping for lunch on the far side with a fine view looking back over the valley.

The day continued glorious as we walked over the autumnal moors back towards Wharfedale through a landscape dotted with ancient barns and criss crossed with wonderful dry stone walls.

Reaching Kilnsey again, it was only a short walk back along the road to the centre. A few women stopped in Kilnsey for a drink at the pub.

That evening we used the barbeque outside, surrounded by tea lights, to cook barbeque type food to go with baked potatoes, sauces, lots of salad.

Later women played wild games of pool, or alternatively enjoyed the quieter atmosphere of the lounge, chatting, and playing Jenga!

Today the weather was less fine, though it still stayed largely dry.

We had planned two intermediate walks headed in the other direction, more towards Grassington.

The low intermediate walk with me, Diana, went across the valley to Coniston village where sheep were being rounded up.

We climbed Coniston Dib - a small gorge - heading up behind the village onto Coniston Moor.

Here we turned south along the Dales Way - a lovely track that took us past an old lime kiln and the remains of ancient settlements to descent into Grassington village.

Here, needless to say, we stopped to eat our sandwiches and benefit from one of Grassington's tea shops - missing a short shower of rain in the process!

Our return route took us back along the side of the moor, descending steadily to Coniston village again.

On the way back we detoured to the trout farm tea shop in Kilnsey for some tea and cake before walking back to the centre.

The intermediate walk with Sarah took a route beyond Coniston Moor onto Grassington Moor.

From here they circled around to reach Grassington from the north east - where again they stopped for a drink before walking home.

That evening we let off the fireworks we had brought with us in the field in front of the centre.

However the main attraction of the evening was the Kettlewell firework display where an impressive number of fireworks were let off from high above the village from the hill overlooking the village.

Suitably impressed, we then went to eat at the pub in Kettlewell - a delicious meal and very good value.

We've not done this before on Bonfire w/ends but it proved a great success and will be repeated.

The final day's walk to Malham Cove was taken by Sarah.

After tidying up the centre and packing our cars, everyone who didn't need to start off home early, drove to Malham village a short drive away.

Approaching Malham Cove through the valley they found themselves looking up at this striking limestone feature.

They climbed the path to the limestone pavement on the top, with great views across the Cove and back towards Malham village.

From here they walked back down to the cars in the village - a great short walk to end to this long weekend.