THIRTY four steely souls joined the coach to the Bowland Forest for a day forecast to be beset with heavy rain.

Ken McKenzie hastily created a D walk on the coach taking his group north to Lickhurst Farm and returning via Knott Hill after seven miles.

Steve Thomas took the C group on a similar route but extended it further north to New Laund Farm where the farmer allowed the group to have lunch in a barn.

They got back after 10 miles with 1,200ft of ascent.

Grahame Reid led the B group.

They climbed to Parlick and Fair Snape Fell then descended Saddle Fell and returned via Lickhurst farm after 10-and-a-half miles with 1,700ft of ascent.

The A walk, led by John Kummer, went first to Bleasdale Bronze Age stone circle then steeply up to Fair Snape Fell descending Saddle Fell to return to Chipping after 12 miles with 2,000ft of climbing.

Mist on the tops made navigation difficult but the rain held off until 4pm enabling all but the B group to return dry.

The next trip will be to Bollington near Macclesfield on Sunday, November 22.

For more details, and to book your seat, please phone Barbara Ward 01565 651765