The day on which we got to know each other.

We met up in the lounge at Losehill Hall as women arrived through the afternoon. After supper we talked about the holiday and then most women had an early night after some quite long journeys from as far away as Devon, Pembrokeshire and Northern Ireland.

The day on which we became accomplished at stile climbing and Articulate!

We put on our waterproofs prepared for the wet weather forecast and set off in a shower.

We were soon tackling the first of many stiles as we walked along the Hope Valley.

The sun came out in time for elevenses on a well-placed log before we went through the meadows to Brough Mill.

There were more capers and leg stretches over stiles and bridges before we reached Hope in bright sunshine for our first tea shop experience.

Back past Spring House Farm where one woman and her dog were moving sheep.

After supper we played a noisy game of Articulate followed by a perplexing game of Scissors.

The day on which Joy became expert at holding gates and Dorothy lost her sole.

We set off in the dry though the village and up the narrow lane (photo 896 ) which leads to the spectacular limestone gorge of Cave Dale.

After climbing slowly up we reached the broad plateau with fine views of Mam Tor.

We descended to the old road for our lunch when the rain set in.

Slipping and sliding down the track greasy with the rain we came to the Treak Cliff Caverns where Joy held the gate open in her expert way and we stopped for a welcome cup of tea in the dry.

We went back to Castleton, some women stopping off for a trip down Speedwell Cavern.

As we entered the village, the sole of Dorothy's boot fell off so she and Jo went off to an outdoor shop for a new pair of boots!

Back at Losehill Hall, good use was made of the Drying Room! Supper was good and hearty with another splendid display of puddings on the sweet trolley.

Some women went out to enjoy the local entertainment at the pub in Castleton while the rest sat and chatted in the lounge.

The day on which we walked the Pennine Way (well, part of)

Sunshine and showers were forecast yet again and it was another day for putting on and taking of our waterproofs.

We walked up Hollowford Road and then up the old coffin track to Hollins Cross.

We took our time up the steep bits and got to the top just as it started to rain heavily.

The Vale of Edale with views across to the Kinder Plateau opened up before us as we descended to Barber Booth.

Here we had a welcome lunch stop at the picnic site surrounded by heather in full flower.

We joined the Pennine Way at Upper Booth and had views back to the other side of the valley and Mam Tor.

The path followed the fell side to Edale village and the Nag's Head.

Some women went inside for a welcome drink before visiting the new Moorland Centre - a modern building of brilliant design with a water cascade on a glass roof and another green roof planted with alpines.

We caught the local bus back to Castleton and enjoyed the scenic drive back over Mam Nick.

The day on which the sun shone!

Several women had to leave for their long journeys home so we posed for final photos in the bright sunshine.

A small group then set off for a relaxed walk through the meadows to Townhead Bridge.

An old Morris Minor had been converted for all weather use much to our amusement.

Lose Hill and Mam Tor were bathed in sunshine.

We followed the river back to Hope and on to Losehill Hall where we enjoyed our sandwiches in the rose garden before our final goodbyes.