Heavy traffic delayed many women, but eight of us made it to Hartington in time for a Friday afternoon walk.

We enjoyed sitting in the sun over lunch before we set off in the hot sunshine to walk up the valley to Pilsbury.

We had lovely views of the limestone outcrops in upper Dovedale.

We walked over the bridge and into Staffordshire and then along the ridge where we encountered the first of the many stiles of the holiday.

We descended from here to Hartington in time to enjoy tea and cake.

Back at Hartington Hall hostel we checked into our rooms and had a drink outside on the terrace and welcomed the rest of the group as they arrived.

before we enjoyed the special curry night in the lovely hostel dining room. Defeated by the traffic and long journeys, we all had an early night.

In spite of a poor weather forecast the day was dry and sunny and not too hot - ideal for walking.

We walked through the village before descending to Beresford Dale with its steep limestone cliffs on either side.

Some women wanted to learn about map reading, so we had several stops to orientate ourselves and study the map.

We left the river and crossed the fields to Alstonefield passing lots of cows and new born calves.

The pub had just opened so we enjoyed a coffee before walking down Millway Lane to Milldale.

Lunch was eaten on the banks of the river Dove in spite of fierce competition for our sandwiches from very persistent ducks.

Ice cream and more coffee followed before we began the idyllic walk by the river past the pools, weirs, woods and crags which make Dovedale so special.

A short stiff climb brought us back to the lane to Hartington with its shops and cafes - some women still had room for tea and cake !

We enjoyed a splendid supper with everyone chatting and laughing long after the meal.

The rain had kindly fallen in the night and it was cloudy but dry as we set off to the old Railway Station on the Tissington Trail.

The is the former railway line from Buxton to Ashbourne which the Peak District National Park Authority with great foresight made into a cycleway and footpath in the 1970's.

The former signal box is now a refreshment kiosk, so welcome coffees were bought before a short sharp shower drove us under cover.

The old railway workmen's hut with benches and fireplace intact proved too comfortable for some who sat there long after the rain had stopped !

The Trail took us through cuttings and onto high embankments with distant views before we left the track and started back west to Dalehead at the top of Biggin Dale.

We sat on the side of the dry limestone valley and just had time for a quick lunch before the rain came down.

Wet weather gear was donned in haste and we walked back to Reynards Lane in the downpour.

It stopped in time for us to reach Hartington in the dry.

Those with long journeys set off, but most women had tea and cake in the hostel café before exchanging email addresses and saying final goodbyes.