We arrived at High Trenhouse near Malham Tarn on a beautiful afternoon.

About half the group came by train, and after a stunning finish to our journey through the Dales, we were picked up from Settle station by taxi.

At High Trenhouse we were welcomed by the staff there and settled into our rooms.

After tea and biscuits, some of us decided to take a stroll to stretch our legs.

Dinner that evening was delicous, as it always is here, and we sat around drinking coffee or something stronger from the honesty bar afterwards.

Most women then headed to bed pretty early.

This morning we were again greeted by the sun.

After breakfast we divided into two groups - a very exclusive gentle group with me, and an abnormally large group with Sally for the Intermediate walk.

Sally's Intermediate walk set off first, headed around Malham Tarn and up onto Great Close Hill overlooking the tarn. In the woods they spotted deer.

From here then dropped down into Middle House Farm valley, and up again onto Back Pasture - the upland dotted with sections of limestone pavement behind the Farm.

Following the track over Back Pasture they came into sight of Fountains Fell, and dropped down into the valley to Cowside Beck.

This allowed them to walk back along the Pennine Way to the tarn and so back to High Trenhouse. A lovely easy first day's walk.

My Gentle walk had meantime taken the boardwalk route across Tarn Moss to reach Malham Tarn.

On the way we met a group of Moth enthusiasts collecting moths from some moth traps they had set out. They said they had found far fewer this year after last summer's rain....

We were treated to their discoveries as the last moth trap was opened. We also saw a Green Fritillery butterfly - rare, but identified with confidence by one of the experts!

Leaving them to their moths, we walked onto the bird hide beside the tarn. We saw lots of coots only, and soon continued onwards past the Field Centre to reach the lake shore path.

Here we stopped for a break beside the water, and 3 very bold female mallards came to join us for spare crumbs. One was so bold as to try and grab the biscuit out of my hand!

Our route now took us around Great Close Hill and into Middle House Farm Valley.

We lunched overlooking the Farm, then investigated some of the eroded limestone pavement above.

Turning back we climbed the gentle side of Great Close Hill, taking our time, and had a fine view over the tarn from the summit.

Grey clouds were gathering, but not a drop fell as we walked back to High Trenhouse.

Ann saw 2 crested grebes and a tufted duck when she detoured to the hide again on the way back.

Back at the ranch we found the Intermediate walkers already installed with tea and biscuits.

Some women tried out the hot tub and sauna, others sat chatting, read, or retired to their rooms for a snooze (or to listen to the Olympics in one case).

We met up again before dinner - another delicious meal followed by an irresistible dessert!

After dinner a game of Articulate developed (I was so involved I forgot to take a photo!)

We woke to sun and wisps of clouds - funny how one no longer expects August weather in August!

After breakfast, Sally's Intermediate walk set off over the Grisedales to the Attermire Scar path - a wonderful path that leads under Attermire Scar to Victoria Cave.

They had views back to Malham Tarn as they climbed.

Then Attermire Scar came into view...

Following the path beneath the Scar they reached Stockdale Lane, then started to climb again towards Victoria Cave - where prehistoric animal remains were found in Victorian times.

After investigating the cave, they continued on past Jubilee Cave towards Catrigg Force - which had plenty of water in it after the recent rain.

From here they walked back to High Trenhouse over the lower shoulder of Fountains Fell - a good long walk even if largely low level.

My Gentle walk had meantime headed to Jubilee Cave across the moorland, dodging boggy areas, then picking up the cycle route near Gorbeck.

On the way we met a pregnant mare who could smell the polos in Sheila's rucksack!

On reaching the cycle route we stopped for a break with a fab view of Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent.

The cycle route gave us easier going underfoot for a while. We just had to keep an ear out for cyclists behind us!

Circling around, we reached limestone features again, and stopped to investigate Jubilee Cave.

Some of the group were also up for a brief detour to Victoria Cave, then regaining the others we continued towards Settle, stopping for lunch at the best view of all - looking past Stainforth Scar towards Ribblehead.

The bridle path brought us gently down into Settle, emerging at the square with the Old Naked Man tea room dead ahead. Well, how could we resist it?!

Refreshed by tea and cake, or ice cream, there was now time for an hour's shopping in Settle before the taxi minibus back to High Trenhouse.

Purchases were made at a car boot sale, a second hand bookshop, an art gallery....

One women even managed to place a bet on a winner at Newmarket - via the phone! I think that's a first for WalkingWomen!!

Some women got dropped off with Helen to walk back part of the way. The rest of us were just glad to get back to another cuppa... and the sauna and Jacuzzi!

That evening after supper, half the group went to listen for owls down near the field centre - and heard several.

Today for the first time we woke to rain - but in the end it was the sunniest day we'd had!

Both groups headed for Malham Cove today via Malham Tarn, some of us spotting a roe deer on Tarn Moss on the way.

Our route from the tarn took us over the tops to the Trougate path, and gave us a final approach to Malham Cove from above.

Several women had not visited Malham before, and were duly impressed by the height of the cove and its beautiful curved shape.

The limestone pavement was equally fascinating.

Moving on, both groups walked at our different paces towards Goredale, passing ancient field systems and terraces.

At Goredale Bridge, the ice cream/tea van proved irresistable, and while the Intermediate walk had headed up to view Goredale Scar, the Gentle walk took their cups of tea to Janet's Fosse for lunch!

Janet's Foss was full of water - a beautiful waterfall where there are supposed to be fairies. I did spot one with her feet in the water!

From here we walked back through the woods and fields to Malham village.

Both groups indulged here in a pub stop before walking to the foot of Malham Cove.

Apart from the stunning sight of Malham Cove from below, the other attraction here were the RSPB scopes trained on the peregrin falcons who have been nesting here.

We were not disappointed, and had an excellent view of the female sat on a dead branch high up on the cove.

The Intermediate's return route after the falcons had been up the (400+) steps up to the top of the Cove.

After catching their breath and admiring the view, they took the striking route up Watloes Valley back to High Trenhouse.

Meanwhile the Gentle group had a taxi minibus arranged from Malham Village - with time first for an ice cream!

Later that evening the women staying in Bennetts - half of the accommodation here - invited the rest of us across to use their larger sitting room and bar.

I was a party of sorts - which was a nice way to finish the holiday even if no one stayed up any later than usual!

Last day, and most women were up for a walk finishing in time for half of us to catch our trains home. The day was cloudy, but no drop of rain fell.

After a last, delicious breakfast, we thanked the High Trenhouse staff and packed our gear into cars ready for a short drive down to Malham.

From here we walked down the riverside to Airton - for elevenses and a few purchases for some at the Airton Farm Shop.

Turning back towards Malham we now climbed a short way to reach another path through lush green fields, cows and sheep.

This brought us down at Kirby Malham where we lunched in the graveyard before walking the last mile back to Malham beside the river and mill stream.

We had lots of hugs in the car park before going our different ways - some of us to meet up again later on the train.

It had been a great holiday - and we had definitely been lucky with the weather!