OK so its now December and there have been no more posts. This doesn't mean nothings happening, its just been too busy to do blogs, just check out out "Programme of Events (past events)"!We are still doing a long and a short walk every weekend plus mid week walks, usually on a Thursday and we have been away on weekends, which I shall give you a taste of below. We have been to both Yorkshire and Norfolk before in previous years, but different areas. The gallery gets updated on a regular basis, and there is one for Norfolk and Yorkshire and not forgetting the Scenes not too far from Dunstable and the More Reasonably Local Photos. You can access the photos by clicking on Gallery or by just going straight into www.picasaweb.google.com/dunstablebogtrotters.We went to an independant hostel called Deepdale farm, in Burnham Deepdale in North Norfolk in mid November, where we had glorious weather. As usual one night we all took food and had a cheap slap up meal, and on some of the others most of us went out to eat.
This is the exterior of the backpackers hostel . It was well run and user friendly. The backpackers hostel is centred around a partially covered old stable courtyard and the buildings date back to 17th Century. They’ve been restored in the traditional Norfolk style, and where possible used green technologies to reduce the environmental impact.
This is just a taste of some of the coastal scenery.
We could have stayed in Deepdale's, Yurts or tepees which were at the back of the hostel!
Our group enjoying a walk in the autumnal sunshire
There are also some huge sandy beaches in Norfolk. This one included some pirates who also happened to be enjoying the band at the local pub when we visited it one evening!
A bit more Norfolk Coastline.
At the end of November some more of us went off to Nidderdale in Yorkshire. We again used an independant hostel but hired the whole establishment this time. Once again after the 1st days rain it was unseasonably sunny and mild. The autumn colours had to be seen to be believed, but again look at the album to see more.
As usual with our walks and weekends away, some people did longer walks ( about 18 miles or so), others did some long and some not so long ones, ie the first 7 or 8 miles and then decided to take a shorter route home, often including the pub just down the road from the hostel.
The exterior of Studfold our home for 4 nights. Airy, spacious with hot showers and good heating and cooking facilities. Sylv and Sandra organised this weekend and insisted on giving us all an excellent 3 meals a day, including snacks and three course dinners. We probably should have walked even more after all the food they provided.
Well done and thanks from everyone. 
This was taken just along the track from the centre where we were staying not far from Lofthouse.
Some idea of those colours mentioned above............
One of the views along the Nid Valley. This is probably Lofthouse below.
Gouthwaite Dam as far as we can remember.
This is the run off from one of the local dams, the one above. It started out misty on most days but then the sun came out to show off the scenery. Yes there were some substantial hills to climb, but the views across the dams and valley were well worth the effort.
Yes it was warm enough to take off our jackets and picnic in a field and admire the views.
However ones below were taken locally in November. Which proves you don't have to go far to enjoy the walks and countryside. 
Grand Union near Berkhampstead.
Studham Middle Common
Alpacas in a field in Hockliffe!
Grand Union Canal
Just ready to set off from Berkhampstead Castle. Again see the albums for more.....
Here we are admiring Katherine's Cross which is an early example of a Gothic Revival monument erected by Capability Brown in 1773. In the 1530s Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon stayed in the castle which was originally here.
Although the floor is damp and it was a grey day we didn't get wet and it was very mild for December. This was classed as an active social (i.e a short walk to enjoy the company of others and such things as food and drink!)
Houghton House today is an English Heritage property which is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. 
This is a view from Houghton House which is NE of Ampthill.
This is us enjoying our picnic and hot mulled wine and various nibbles for which we gave donations to this year's Bogtrotters charity, Keech Cottage Hospice, which we had in the grandure of Houghton House.
Another view of Houghton House, good job it was dry as although it looks impressive, unfortunately there is none of the roof left at all!
