Gay Outdoor Club: 18-39 Walk 27-28 September 2002 - Hathersage, Peak District.

A grey Friday afternoon. Three London disco dollies wearily pulled into Doncaster station on a GNER train. Walking boots and anoraks were packed along with a smart shirt in anticipation of a night on the town... "You've got to be joking!" blurted John as a 2 carriage excuse for a train chugged into platform 2 as we awaited the final leg of our journey towards Hathersage.

Arriving at Hathersage we located the nearest Spar and stocked up on the essentials - milk, sugar and teabags! We spotted two likely looking lads wandering in the direction of the Youth Hostel, and soon accosted them to share a 6-bed dorm with the rest of us. Paul set about making round of tea and soon there were 16 of us sat around the living room of the Hostel. We began an Alcoholics Anonymous style introduction with Stuart, the walk organiser, leading the way. Soon talk got around to food and so we all headed off to the local pub - "The Little John" for a hearty meal of potatoes and chips, washed down with a pint or three of the local "Pale Rider" bitter.

I must admit having never stayed in a Youth Hostel before I found the sound of 5 men breathing, grunting and shouting in the night rather disconcerting - although I have it on good authority that it is what some people hope for! We soon discovered that we were, in fact, sharing the hostel with a Christian walking group! It was quite amusing to watch them trying to work out what we had done with all the women!

Stuart had arranged a very sensible 0930 hours start on the Saturday morning and so no-one was bleary-eyed from the previous night's drinking. We all set off in good spirits, passing a field where the school in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" was set. As we walked along Stanage Edge we could hear the peeling of the Hathersage Church bell (where Little John of Robin Hood fame was buried - I think he must have been holidaying at the time of his death as it's quite a way from Sherwood Forest!). We stopped at Bramham Rocks for lunch, overlooking the beautiful hills of South Derbyshire. Although the sun wasn't out it did make an occasional appearance and the weather was really just right for walking. Everyone kept up a good pace - both experienced and first-time walkers and there was a great atmosphere with people dropping back to talk to other members of the group.

That evening after an aborted attempt to catch a train into Sheffield we all headed back to the hostel for a meal and decided if we couldn't get to a dancefloor we would bring the dancefloor to us! Stocking up on alcoholic beverages (just a few mind!) meant that a party was in full swing in the living area of the hostel before long - the dancefloor became packed once Kylie's "Spinning Around" was played. At one stage a Mr B became involved in an "incident" with a Mr M in which someone's bottom got smacked (it was all innocent fun really though I am sure) and no one was injured during the frivolity!

The following morning a lot of the group had to disperse to catch trains and nurse hangovers but those that remained had a riverside walk and then stopped at Chatsworth House to scoff cakes.

That weekend I think we all met some really genuine and interesting people and I for one can't wait for the next walk!

Warren