Where we went in '97 Dartmoor The new year saw us huddled around the stove in Steps Bridge Youth Hostel at the edge of Dartmoor. We had rented the hostel for the exclusive use of the group. The weather had been very cold but fine leading to clear blue skies, frozen ground and fantastic views across the moor. Cotswolds At the end of January a large number of the group stayed at Duntisbourne Youth Hostel which is situated in the Cotswolds. There were several good walks across the rolling countryside including a section of the Cotswold Way which afforded views across to the Malverns. Lake District 6 members of the group attended a Winter Mountaineering Skills course at Derwentwater youth hostel. Despite a lack of snow we had great fun learning new skills such as ice axe breaking and rope techniques. Black Mountains At the end of February there was a trip to Capel-y-Ffin hostel in South Wales. Although the area has some brilliant walks, the gale force winds meant that the group was forced to inspect the delights of tea-shops in nearby Hay-On-Wye. Lake District Back to the Lake District, this time for Easter. Based at Helvellyn and Patterdale hostels the group managed some good hill walks around Hellvelyn and High Street. The weather proved to be excellent, as seen in this photo of Striding Edge on Hellevlyn. Brecon Beacons June saw hardy members of the group on a camping weekend based in the Brecons. The highlight of the weekend for most was the mountain bike ride over the top of the Brecons. Meanwhile others enjoyed the canal walking and nearby hills. Peak District At the end of June there was a trip to Bakewell hostel in order to see the well dressings which are a local tradition at this time of the year. Each parish designs a biblical picture using thousands of colourful flower petals like the one in the photo below. Unfortunately it rained most of the weekend but did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the group. Surrey 8 members of the group cycled down to Surrey to stay at one of our favourite simple hostels at Hindhead. The cycle ride back to the Reading area on the Sunday was good as we travelled through unfamiliar territory. Quantocks For the non-cyclists there was a walking weekend around the Quantocks, situated to the east of Exmoor. A hot and very sunny weekend meant panoramic views across to Exmoor and South Wales. Dorset Coast A large number of the group descended on Litton Cheney youth hostel near the Dorset coast. This trip was so popular that the hostel became fully booked and some people had to stay in nearby Bed and Breakfast accommodation. Great walking. Mid Wales The late bank holiday in May meant that the group was able to travel slightly further afield to stay in two simple hostels - Dolgoch and Bryn Poeth Uchaf in mid Wales. The area proved to be extremely good place for cycling. An added bonus was that on the bank holiday we were able to attend the World Bog Snorkelling Championship in the nearby town. North Wales September saw some members on a Wild and Wet weekend based at Llangollen hostel. The activities involved rafting, canoeing and gorge walking - and generally getting very wet. Chilterns In November a group cycled up through the Chilterns countryside to stay the night at Bradenham hostel Hampshire At the start of December there was a trip to the Portsmouth area for a weekend of being a tourist at the Naval Dockyard and also a Sunday walk along the nearby South Downs way. Yorkshire Dales and Peak District To round an exciting year off the group spent the week at Dent hostel in the Yorkshire Dales and at Gradbach Mill in the Peak District. Despite the rest of the country being battered by strong gales we were fairly sheltered in the valleys of the Dales allowing us to explore the area and mountain tops.