Been here from the begin as well, on and off, a few of us still about, and still in touch with others who have left, things always change, definitely seems to be less invites.

There are fewer invitations going out and fewer people joining in with the ones that do go out.
I think that there's a number of reasons for this.
1) Quite a few of the regulars have retired from the site.
2) We've never fully recovered from Covid.
3) There's been a big growth of local meet up groups which a lot of past members now use.
4) We've had some very difficult times financially and some members find it difficult to afford trips away.
5) Though there's seems to be a steady influx of new members they don't participate in invitations.
Lets hope the that things pick up as I've had some great times through OD and I've made some great friends. So, 🤞 it would be a great shame to lose it.

Hi Trekkie,
I became an active member 2010 and involved with quite a number of Days filled with laughter,Mud and Water.Many were based in Derbyshire & Shefield areas.
As the number has increased,but also the areas are almost Countrywide now,creating more localisewd Walks.Also the cost of Fuel and accommodation are real issues.
I was a regular Visitior to Lakeland for long Day walks making a 12/14 hour long Days.The cost would to prohibitive today for me.
I will be on a weeks Holiday 13/20 July and looking forward to scaling the Langdale Peaks again

landranger68:
Hello, great to hear from you. Yes I recall those earlier days filled with enthusiasm both from those relatively new to 'the outdoors' and also the more experienced people, and of course the generosity of experienced people willing to conceptualise and lead walks and weekends.

Some of the events would attract 20-to 40 plus people.
Maybe people signing up here are now mainly looking to meet people rather than get involved in activities (I accept that the cost of travel and accommodation has increased substantially along with all the basics which make demands on peoples income leaving less or no 'disposable' income.)

landranger68: Pity because it was great meeting people form different parts of the country and different walks of life and at different phases in their lives.

JohnH:
Hi John, I suspect that all all your comments are valid.
I was with another group which slowly declined in activity.
From a walk leader point of view, they either give up time when they could be doing things themselves or with friends anyway or extend to open up to others.

It gets to the point where the effort isn't worth the lack of interest, additional admin and reduced agility in being spontaneous.

I like to share things with people.
I was lucky many (many😀) years ago that people were very generous with their time and patience and it has been a pleasure being able to pass some of this on.

I appreciate your comment about organising a walk when there's then little interest.
Have a look at my invite for this coming Sunday, I didn't do that in a few minutes.
However, I'm retired now so I do have some spare time, but not a lot of it!!!
Anyhoo, I'll keep tyring for a while yet and hopefully it will pick up.
Cheers, John.

trekkie: Some of us originals still about and do check in now and then. Our large group events were great for calming nerves, getting to know folk and making lasting friendships. Overnight stays at YHA or b and bs were great icebreakers. I can only speak for myself on this next point but there was a feeling that the same people felt needed to lead walks with few new leaders coming to the fore. This may have been down to experience or nerves, but certainly a few of us who regularly put on bashes felt the weight on our shoulders. I have also noticed in the last few years comments about insurance etc. For personally if you attended one of my bashes you did so at your own risk. You would have be

Cont
You would have been provided with the details, route, accomodation and my qualifications etc the rest is knowing your own ability. I understand that this kind of conversation would put some people posting events also. Bottom line though even after all said and done is if you want new experiences you have to bite the bullet, get off ya backside and out of your comfort zone and do something about it. I joined this site in 2010, met some great people, made great friends, despite not seeing them as often as i once did and had some amazing ecperiences all over the country and when members attended my bashes. My advice to ndwbies or nervous individuals is just do it. You only live oncd.

Hi Clive,
I am 79 next week and still enjoy the Lakeland Hills,both climbing and falling🍺

Doing great Keith. I hope im still as active as you when i get that age. 20 yrs younger and rugby injuries limiting my activity. Still get out but mainly with the dogs who keep me on my toes. Longing for Arrans isolation and a few high scrambles in Snowdonia. As im sure you know. If you're ever down this way again Keith drop me a line and I'll happily guide you around the Beacons.

Hi Clive,
I begin the South Downs Way on the 1st October.
My Itenary can be found on justgiving.com/page/jenny/-1997
With all good wishes,

I've just posted an invitation, and perhaps other will.

Rourky: Glad to see you're still about Clive. Yes, the camaraderie was great. I enjoyed organising weekends away and as I had (and still have) no sense of direction, it was good everyone pitched in to lead. Simpler times and cheaper fun. I don't do as much walking now and the day walks are too long for me but I still keep in touch with most of the Northern bunch. Nice to see you're still about too Keith. Finding a large reasonably priced venue for a weekend is a little more complicated but who knows!....

The Mind is Willing: Still check in, but life gets in way of a good weekend away if you let it. Really good thing on here though has been the memories and friendship formed. Good to see some still on here. 😎

Joined the site many moons ago when it had just started. Had some fantastic weekends/ weeks away with a great bunch of people. There was so much going on in the early days of the site and something on most weekends. The socials were really well attended and lots of fun. The site has been brilliant for me as I met my lovely husband on here after a few interesting relationships! Made some lifelong friends on here aswell. Think things naturally change over time and there are many more meet up groups and dating sites out there than when this site was first set up. Good luck to all the organisers on this site and glad to see it's still encouraging people to explore the great outdoors.

Ally & Dave: 👍 yeap, we had some fun

Rourky: &TMIW gone are the days ok sleeping on strangers floors, rocking up with your sleeping bag and just cracking on with weekend getting to know everyone in all weather's, this forum is like an old timers reunion, which is also what wr need old & new like when we all just began (great memories, special times)

Wiggy: And forever friendships 🥂

Tbh, i do really miss the weekend drives to god knows where, meeting complete strangers, to walk unknown routes, in unknown areas, while throughout the day enjoying the crack and banter and making great friends. Loved my bashes down here and still love the thought so many ODers would turn out for a weekend of Navigation training / day walks, pub food or communal meals and bad humour 👍