The planning for the summer programme will now be taking place at the pancake night at Julie's on Tue 21st Feb and not on the 29th Feb as previously planned.  If you can't make that we'll also be taking the draft programme along to The Snowgoose on the 1st March.

The 2012 Jan - Apr Programme has now been added to the website,  I'll also be updating the Calendar details also added now.  Hope to see you all out and about !

I've added a Cat & Fiddle Webcam to the Gallery page, so you can either avoid or find the local snow this winter depending on your preference !

Following some confusion by the owners of Halton Gill bunk barn we are having to change the venue for this year's New Year 'weekend'. Whilst I am sorry for anyone who was looking forward to visiting the Yorkshire Dales, the good news is that we have managed to get a very good alternative venue for the same price (thanks for your help Sue). Our new venue is 'Plas Amherst' in Harlech, North Wales: http://www.harlech-group-accommodation.com/index.php/en/plas-amherst.html

For those that don't know, Harlech is on the Welsh coast, at the foot of the Rhinog mountains. It is a wonderful area for walking and one that we don't visit as often as we should so this is a great opportunity. There is also good mountain biking in the area if that's your thing. Travel time should be about the same as Halton Gill for everyone except Jenny (2.5 hours from Macclesfield). Unfortunately there isn't a sauna but they do provide bedding so you won't need your sleeping bags. The other slightly unusual feature is that all of the bedrooms are either twins or singles (mostly singles) so the only person you will have to worry about snoring is yourself!

The place has plenty of communal space and a good sized kitchen. I will still be preparing a meal on New Year's eve and there should be plenty of room to party. For those interested in a pub meal on New Year's day (Sunday), as most of you said you were, the good news is there is now a choice of venue within a quarter of a mile! I will do some research and let you know. If you haven't told me that you would be interested then let me know and I'll include you on the booking.

As stated above the pricing remains exactly the same as before ie. maximum cost £92.50. Thanks to all those who have given me a deposit of £60 (if you haven't please do so quickly). Please note that the booking is now for 4 nights, Thursday 29th Dec to Monday 2nd Jan. There will be no option to stay on Monday night.

We will have sole use of the whole place and there are 30 beds in total so we still have spaces. Again, as before, anyone extra joining us now will reduce the price for everyone. If you prefer your walking gentle there are far more 'touristy' options around Harlech than there were in the Dales.

I can't promise that the weekend will be better than Ennerdale (you're a hard act to follow girls!) but it has the potential to be just as good and the long term forecast suggests snow on the hills.

More details as and when I get them but if you have any questions in the meantime just ask.

Cheers,

Howard.

PS I am assuming that everyone who was going will still be going (having spoken to most of you). If you have already said 'yes' to Halton Gill you only need to tell me if you do not want to come. 

Cinema trip Mon 12th Dec.  Plan was to go to Cinemac but closed until 16th. I’ll rearrange for sometime in January. Fiona

And the Christmas puds are maturing nicely !

Had to postpone this from advertised date on programme due to work shifts.
The eagerly anticipated and much speculated-over exquisite corpse evening is approaching.
I’m not going to say what it is so you’ll have to come to find out, but you’ll maybe need to bring a little creativity and imagination.
I plan to provide a range of simple veggie buffet dishes (no curry this time) and a box of beer. Let me know if you’d like to eat, and book early either way as space is quite limited in my lounge.
Alex