There was some debate over breakfast regarding the optional short-cut route to Ennerdale via Black Sail pass - a steep, rough track used by hikers. Those members keen on rough riding were eager to make the attempt, but Michael had visions of the younger riders struggling to push their cycles up rocky inclines and then having to return to carry their panniers. In the event, poor weather conditions convinced Michael and Simon that it would be unwise, so we were soon speeding towards Gosforth in our attempt to beat the worst of the weather.

A cold, blustery shower quickly caught up with us, making the going a little difficult despite the absence of steep climbs. Rufus was the main casualty, but he sustained only minor damage to his bike.

Conversation quickly turned to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, now only a few miles ahead of us. The youngsters seemed quite united in their dislike of nuclear power, and a little anxious about exposing themselves to the higher-than-usual levels of radiation present in the surrounding area. An unexpected thunder clap had everyone peering nervously ahead to get a first glimpse of the expected mushroom cloud!

Arriving at Gosforth we took shelter from the rain by buying lunch and snacks in the local shops, clearing the co-op of its entire stock of Fruit Corner yoghurts. Michael was last into the shop, and as he emerged empty-handed he was just in time to witness a discussion between a local woman and the youngsters. She had apparently been trying to convince us that the Sellafield plant was perfectly safe, pointing to her own existence as conclusive proof of her argument. Visibly rattled by the response she received, she concluded by suggesting that we look in the Visitor Centre, and then we 'would see just how safe it is'. Unfortunately she received short shift from our Green Team, who failed to understand how she could have been so easily taken in by the 'propaganda' put out by the management!

Next stop was Calder Bridge - just one mile from Sellafield. Without waiting to admire the view we turned inland, eventually stopping at a cattle-grid near Cold Fell. This was deemed to offer suitable protection from the wind as well as being a safe distance from You-Know-What!

One of the things we noticed as we were riding to the lunch spot was that there appeared to be rather more cars overtaking us from behind than there were passing us in the other direction. As we ate lunch we monitored the traffic flows more closely, and calculated that there were approximately ten times more cars heading away from Sellafield. This state of affairs continued for the whole time that we were on the road (well over an hour) so our first idea that a shift had just finished work at Sellafield seemed to be ruled out. We had to conclude that they knew something that we did not, so we hastily finished our lunch and followed the crowd!

Nobody particularly enjoyed getting wet, so we planned to arrive at Ennerdale by early afternoon. This is a very simple hostel compared with the others on our tour: access is via a two-mile forest track which runs along the side of Ennerdale Water. On the final approach to the hostel we were caught in a particularly heavy downpour, ensuring that we were drenched from head to foot on arrival. To make matters worse, the notices on the hostel inviting members to use the common room until 5pm proved to be somewhat misleading: the warden had not yet returned from her midweek break, and everything was still locked up!

Some members decided that cycling in the rain would be more enjoyable than sitting in a cold porch, so they continued along the track towards the remote Black Sail hostel with a view to seeing if it is as cosy as it is reputed to be. Only Michael and Paul persevered for the entire 3½ miles. From the outside it appeared to be totally deserted, with no sign of recent habitation. After peering through the few windows to confirm our suspicions, Paul tried the front door in the vain hope that somebody might have forgotten to lock it. To his surprise it opened! The Common Room turned out to be not only warm but also filled with numerous people, all sitting or lying quietly and reading! This was a very different reality to that which would have existed if our group had been booked into the hostel that evening!

Meanwhile, back at Ennerdale, the warden had arrived early. When Michael and Paul arrived, everyone else was settling into the dormitories and queuing for the single shower.

Supper was an interesting event. Evidently the warden likes spicy meals, and her soup must have been the hottest ever! Most people couldn't stomach it at all, but a few forced it down with brave smiles and competed to see who could 'enjoy' the most repeat helpings! Before the meal was completed, Roger had managed to discredit the whole group by mixing pepper into the sugar bowl, thereby annoying another unusually large hosteller.

The common room was very warm and cosy by early evening, so we spent a very enjoyable time playing cards, liar dice and numerous other games while the weather did its worst outside.