The weather was absolutely glorious for our arrival at High Trenhouse, where we were met with a warm welcome by the centre's staff and after a tea and biscuits.

Many of the group then wandered around the lovely gardens, or down the road to the lake shore.

Dinner was set for seven, so just before eating the guides, Sally and I welcomed the group and had an informal chat about the next few days and kit requirements etc.

Midway through, the last couple of women arrived, so it was a full house of 23 for dinner!

After the delicious meal, The bar facilities were made good use of and everyone had a lengthy chat over coffee in the conservatory afterwards.

During the evening the wind rose and the mist descended - so much for the wall to wall sunshine promised by the weather stations.

Unfortunately, during the night, the winds had whipped up and the clouds had arrived, bringing with them squally showers.

It didn't dampen the spirit of the women too long and after a substantial breakfast, we binned the sun screen and sun hats and replaced them with woolly hats and gloves and strode out into the mist like true explorers.

(A bit of an exaggeration as the mist was beginning to clear, but leaders should be allowed a little poetic licence at times!)

Both groups were headed in the same direction towards Jubilee Cave above Settle - however we walked at different paces and set off separately.

The first field crossing was home to a rather over friendly horse who could smell the apples in the women's rucksacks and tried on several occasions to pinch one out of the top of the bags!

We passed hills with wonderful names like Sugar Loaf and Rye Loaf Hill and the cloud had lifted enough for us to see the top of Pen y gent and Ingleborough, although the wind was with us all day.

Reaching the views from the little platform outside Jubilee Cave, we stopped for a break. The Intermediate group with Sally had moved on by the time the rest of us arrived.

My Gentle goup decided to have 'first lunch here - we'd walked quite a way already.

Just round the corner, some of the women followed me up to Victoria Cave, but we didn't go in as the rocks are too unstable.

It was still interesting to read the notice about how the cave would have been and which prehistoric animals would have fed there.

Down the path the group crossed over the road to walk above Langcliffe, across the meadow and below Blua Crags to meet the road leading into the pretty town of Settle.

We spent some time shopping and enjoying tea in the Naked Man Café before the minbus came to take us back to High Trenhouse.

The Intermediate walk with Sally had meantime visited the caves, then continued on under Attermire Scar, stopping in the shelter of a wall for lunch.

From here they continued over the tops back to High Trenhouse on foot, with only brief views over the tarn as the cloud was decending again - but it was still very atmospheric.

They got back before Sara's group - in time for some super homemade scones.

Some then went into Settle by car to look around, and others used the jacuzzi and sauna to relax aching muscles - where they were joined by the gentle walkers on their return.

After dinner Sally and I went through the options for the next day and assured the group that better weather was on its way!

After another delicious dinner, we enjoyed a highly amusing game of Articulate.

As promised, the morning brought sunshine, blue skies and an absence of wind.

Both groups did stretches out in the garden to warm up for today's walk.

Today's walk was to Malham Cove and Gordale Bridge, with different routes beyond this. Again the two groups set off at different times and at different paces.

The Intermediate group spotted a tawny owl perched in the branch of a tree about 10ft away from their route to Malham Tarn.

We eyed each other up for a few minutes until he flew off into the woods, and we walked on around Malham Tarn.

We took it easy on the way down Watlowes Valley and rested at Malham Cove for a while.

We visited Gordale Scar and ate our lunch on the banks of Gordale Beck then walked through the woods to Malham taking in Janet's Fosse on route - no fairies to be seen.

After ice-creams and cups of tea we returned to base on the other side of Malham Cove along field paths with stunning views of the cove and exceedingly high stiles to clamber over.

By the end of the day we were vaulting them with the help of our walking poles!

Back at High Trenhouse we had to force down even more cakes and coffee - what a shame!

Sara's Gentle walk had also walked around the tarn, this time stopping at the bird hide there.

Difficult to distinguish between the birds, although with sun shining across the tarn it felt as though they could have stayed there all day just to admire the scenery!

Past the field centre and around the water, they followed the Pennine Way across the fields.

After a break at the bottom of the tarn, they walked down towards Ing Scar.

The narrow rocky path leading through the dramatic scenery of Ing Scar caught a few women by surprise. Everyone took it at their own pace.

Below the scar, they enjoyed the walk through to the top of Malham Cove.

The views down from the cove towards Malham were absolutely breathtaking, with the clouds forming wonderful shadows on the ground.

After lunch, they set off down towards Goredale Scar, meeting some very friendly highland cattle (or fluffy teddy bears, as they became better known) on route!

A quick dash to the toilets in the campsite and it was time for a cup of tea or ice-cream from the Goredale refreshment van next to the river.

Having heard how magical Janet's Foss can be, the group looked forward to seeing it. It prooved very pretty, and pretty busy - it being bank holiday.

They did agree however that it was nice to see so many people out enjoying the area, just as they were doing.

A last amble along the path and rhey were in Malham, with time to spare before our bus to visit the medieval barn, outdoor shop, café and the tourist information centre.

Fun and games were had by some of the women with the sheep and sheep dogs at the tourist info centre!!

Both groups arrived back at High Trenhouse within 10 minutes of each other and once again made use of all the lovely facilities, including the offer of tea and cake, before enjoying another delicious meal.

After coffee and a chat with Sara and I, some of us went in search of the owl that the intermediate group had seen in the morning. The owl wasn't found, but we had a lot of fun trying!

Despite the 'not so good' weather forecast the morning sun shone through the windows of High Trenhouse.

Breakfast was enjoyed with tales of hearing the elusive owl early this morning. Still no sighting though!

After another session of stretches the intermediate group set off towards Fountains Fell with Sally and a little while later the gentle group met in the grounds to warm up and stretch with me before heading for Great Close Scar.

Unfortunately one woman wasn't feeling too good this morning and only made it as far as the bird hide before deciding to make the wise decision to return to her bed.

Everyone wished her well before following the track to the view point to gain stunning views of the sun glistening on Malham Tarn and the heather beyond.

A short break was taken in the shelter of one of the small walls surrounding the trees and then the group continued along the path away from the tarn next over to Middle House Farm.

With everyone feeling a little weary today the group decided not to ascend Great Close Hill and instead headed directly to the wall crossing above the farm for lunch overlooking Gordale Beck in the distance.

The wildness of Back Pasture made the days walk very different from the last couple of days and hardly another soul was seen all day.

In fact the only real company that the group met were a few cows and sheep later on.

Picking their way carefully amongst the limestone pavement and settlements they got fabulous views of Fountains Fell and the ploughed fields below.

Meeting back up with the Pennine Way, we continued through pastures and trees until we met the main track leading back to the road.

We took the most direct route back to High Trenhouse for tea and cakes and to make the most of the Jacuzzi and sauna on our last full day.

The Intermediate walk had meantime set off with Sally for Fountains Fell along the Pennine Way.

They walked through gentle field paths to begin with then a climb up to the trig point across the open fell.

After a deserved rest and lunch stop near to Fountains Fell Tarn they headed along the ridge taking in the superb views of the three peaks of Pen-y-gent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

A fairly steep descent on moorland and then a gentle walk back to base taking in lots of sink holes and limestone pavement on the way.

They arrived back not to long after the gentle walk, so everyone was able to relax for a while before dinner.

After dinner, plans were made for tomorrow and a fairly early night was welcomed for the ever so slightly sore muscles. There was a rather good chorus of oohs and ahhs as women got in and out of chairs!

Despite a poor weather forecast, the sun was still peeping through the clouds today.

Five women headed off home after breakfast, while the rest of us shared transport the short distance to Malham to start our last walk beside Malham Beck.

We set off across the meadows next to the river, ambling along at our own pace.

This was a lovely opportunity to spend some time together where the terrain wasn't so challenging, allowing everyone to concentrate a little more on the views and the conversations.

We made our way to pretty Hanlith village where everyone decided to continue on to Airton.

Here we found the farm shop and enjoyed a break for a bite to eat and a drink.

We now headed back to Malham on the other side of the beck, stopping at Kirkby Malham for a break, and taking a look at the Watery Grave.

There were a lot of naughty sheep having fun in the church grounds!

Back in Malham, some women had trains to catch - so it was a fairly short farewell before everyone headed off home in their own directions. Sadly, the end of a great w/e of walks and laughter.