Newsletter
September 2002
Reports
17 - 19 May - Herriot Way Part 1 (Moderate Backpacking)
Just 4 intrepid souls (including one brave CRC debutant - Karen) met at Hawes for a weekend of backpacking in the damp and windswept Yorkshire Dales. On Saturday morning we set off from Grinton, stopping briefly after a mile for an unscheduled visit to my ex pastor in Reeth. It was wet starting the walk, but then it really improved to being damp and misty for the rest of the day.
After a lovely bath and evening meal in our B and B in Keld, Sunday was a much better day weatherwise, (i.e. it wasn't raining) and we enjoyed a change to CRC routine - we had our statutory tea shop stop (in Thwaite) after a couple of miles. Huge portions of Bakewell tart and carrot cake followed.
Then a long upward 'trundle' (including a few 'tree stops') for a few miles, up several hills to the windswept top. This was followed by the best part of the weekend - a long rain-free gentle descent back to Hawes, including an ice cream stop (Margaret eventually succumbed). During the 28 or so miles covered, lapwings, and curlews were amongst the birds heard or seen at various times, and Anne had an unsubstantiated buzzard sighting claim. Thanks Anne for leading, and lets hope for sunshine for Part 2 (click here for Part 2).
Derek McDonnell
The Jubilee Weekend
31 May – 4 June - Exford (Moderate)
Exford is a very pretty village set in the heart of the Exmoor National Park. Many of the buildings, including the petrol station, looked as they must have done 50 years ago, and so it was a wonderful setting in which to spend the Jubilee weekend.
The surrounding country offered a good variety of coastal and hill walking with walks ranging from 6 to 11 miles. The highest point reached was Dunkery Beacon 520 m (1,700 ft). Also visited were: Tarr Steps, a ‘clapper bridge’ built of stone slabs for horses carrying wool to Dunster market, Oare Church, featured in Lorna Doone, and Selworthy, a National Trust conservation village.
Everywhere we went, in tea gardens and campsites, Union Jacks were flying. On Monday evening we returned to Dunkery Beacon to see the Jubilee Beacon lit. The weekend finished on Tuesday afternoon with a cream tea in the tea garden at Bossington; none of us wanted to leave!!
Thank you Sue for organising the weekend and providing an interesting and varied selection of walks, and to all those who assisted in walk leading.
Jane Fletcher
BirminghamPwll Deri - 31 May – 4 June (Moderate)
A mixed bag……A mixed bag probably describes all kinds of things about the Jubilee weekend walk along the Pembrokeshire coastal path. We had a mixed bag of weather from getting one sided sunburnt and sea swims one day, to walking through a stormy start another. We were a mixed bag of people from all over the UK from all kinds of backgrounds, from veterans to people who were coming on a CRC event for the first time.
Pwll Deri is a basic but beautiful youth hostel with inspiring views across the rugged cliffs to the sea, which ranged from a Mediterranean like azure blue green to dark and moody depending on the weather.
It goes without saying that the walks were spectacular, brilliantly led with great conversations ranging from evolution to revolution. The fresh sea air braced. Azure blue sea called across slatey grey rocks, vibrant green spots of sea campion, the blue purple wash of bluebells, small yellow heads of kidney vetch….and we even saw seals bobbing in the water as curious and intrigued about us as we were about them. We even indulged in a bit of boot swapping!
At the end of our first walk our final steps were sped along by the promise of delicious a cream tea with fantasies of coffee cake with butter icing or scones laden with cream and strawberries, only to be bitterly dashed by a closed tea shop. We drank our tepid water stoically. We when discovered a note on the windscreen about an art exhibition and tea at the local church and had all our fantasies fulfilled – and the art was pretty good too. We agreed to come the next day for breakfast, a snip at £1.50 followed by the morning service in the midst of the flower festival. In all we had 3 splendid teas with homemade cakes. There is certainly a feeling that eating a huge piece of cake when you’ve walked miles is justified – and you certainly enjoy it more. I understand why this is such a tradition on CRC events, and we felt duty bound to uphold such a tradition – only for tradition’s sake, you understand.
We also had a mountain top experience. We went up - well a hill - near the youth hostel and were ably led by Maureen and the setting had us remember that Jesus often taught in similar circumstances and we sung and prayed as the sun went down – and then stumbled down in the dark.
The weekend was also characterised by people coming and going, and all were welcomed and incorporated into the group. One of those who had to leave early, because she was singing as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, was our leader , Judy Jones so on the last day we were led by Maureen xx with support from Hilary Huntington. Most of the time this was done very ably. However, at one point we were led through a campsite and all duly followed our leader down a cliff path, which unfortunately didn’t go anywhere so we had to climb back up through the campsite, much to our chagrin. One of our number had sat and watched us, sat underneath the signpost that said we should have been going in the opposite direction, a fact that none of us noticed at the time being so intent on following our leader. Of course, in true CRC style no one was teased about this and the matter was not raised again.
Caroline Lovejoy
31 May – 4 June - Saffron Walden (Easy)
23 of us gathered at Saffron Walden for the Jubilee weekend. It is a most attractive hostel with many original features, including creaking wooden floors, and a lovely garden. We made good use of this in the warm weather after the walks.
We soon discovered that Essex is not completely flat, but is undulating countryside with lovely walks connecting villages by way of woods and open fields. The variety prevented any kind of boredom with the easy terrain, and we saw many signs of the Jubilee celebration, including a fly-past by the Red Arrows, presumably practicing for the Mall.
Each day included an interesting event to finish off the day. On Saturday we explored the mazes of Saffron Walden - both the ancient turf maze on the common and the Victorian hedge maze in the nearby gardens. For Sunday there was a kite flying festival, and on Monday the village fete at Clavering was followed during the evening by watching a jazz band in the market square in Saffron Walden. The atmosphere was terrific with all ages joining in the dancing.
We visited the local Baptist Church for the service on Sunday, and had a worship time of our own in the hostel.
On Tuesday some headed for home after breakfast, while the remainder, after a visit to the amazing flower display in the Church, did a short walk before heading home, with just a few visiting Audley End House to round off the weekend.
Many thanks to Ann for a smashing weekend.
June Rose
London1 - 8 June - Ratagan (Moderate Hard – Very Hard)
Part 1 - In the main
(click here for part 2 or here for part 3)Ratagan is about 11 miles from Skye and is in a beautiful setting on the shores of Loch Duich, overlooked by mountains. Each day we would make for the hills at 8:30am after a hearty breakfast to get us through the day.
A gradual start on the first day was 12 km climbing Sgurr a’ Bheaclaich Dheirg and Aonach Meadhoin. However, some members felt fit enough to add a further 7 km by clambering up Ciste Dhubh. The majority headed back to the start point at the Cluanie Inn, where refreshments were waiting.
On Monday Ben Attow and A’Ghlas-bheinn were tackled; a fast flowing river meant taking off our socks and wading across, gritting our teeth, as the river water was icy. Our efforts were rewarded with the sight of a mountain hare.
The hardest day for most followed with the Cluanie ridge, 24 km and seven Munros. The sun shone brightly all day, making the sun block necessary. The ridge is strewn with mica, a silvery mirror like mineral that glistens in the sun. The top of the ridge was windy but the views were absolutely spectacular with mountains stretching as far as the eye can see, you get a most wonderful feeling of being on top of the world. Munro after Munro was scaled, and we finally took our weary and aching limbs back to the hostel, but those spectacular views and the memory of the day will live long in the memory.
We finished the week off with Beinn Sgritheall, alongside Loch Hourn. It involved a long drive of 20 miles to reach our destination, admiring the splendid scenery along the way. It was a hot day but a leisurely pace up the mountain rewarded us with views of the Isle of Skye with a number of fishing boats in between. Back at the loch, some even went for a paddle.
Peter Edwards
LondonPart 2 - Glen Affric
(click here for part 1 or here for part 3)Two of us spent two nights at Scotland’s remotest hostel, six miles from the nearest road. It does have a shower, but you are expected to carry out all your own rubbish. We enjoyed a fine ridge walk ascending three Munros, including Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan with its five ridges. We ‘walked’ out via Mullach Froach-choire with its impressive pinnacles, and A’Chralaig, back to our car.
Roger Winterburn
DewsburyPart 3 - The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine
(click here for part 1 or here for part 2)After a steady ascent to the col at 500 m and on to Meallan Odhar at 610 m we were rewarded with a coffee stop. The group divided, one to embrace the Forcan Ridge a superb rock ridge involving some exposed scrambling, with the rest following the dry stone dyke below the ridge. It was great fun, and for me reassuring to be with such a plethora of experienced walkers. There was one tricky pitch to descend but that just added to the challenge. Just below the summit we met with the rest of the group, with a short hop to the top of the Saddle at 1010m to bag my 5th Munro of the week.
A descent to Bealach Coire Mhalagain, and another rocky ridge to the summit cairn of Sgurr na Sgine at 945m followed. Then retracing our steps somewhat, we made our way to Faochag, (the ‘Whelk’) at 909m, here a grand view of the Forcan Ridge was clearly visible. We sat and drank in the marvellous scenery – the numerous mountains encircling Glen Shiel and God’s creation in its full glory, Hallelujah!!
Catherine Canley
1 - 8 June - Orkney (Moderate)
An Orkney Saga
What shall I tell you of Orkney?
Shall I tell you of the sweet-faced fulmars and kittiwakes nesting on the sea cliffs,
Or the black and white guillemots and razorbills floating on the sea,
Of curious puffins peering over cliff ledges,
Of skuas dive-bombing from above?Shall I tell you of the shades of sea pinks growing along the coast,
Or of lilac coloured squill carpeting the headlands,
Of purple flowered butterworts with insect eating leaves,
Of soft deep heather cloaking the hills?Shall I tell you of stone age houses, with cosy box beds beside an open hearth,
Or of a stone circle across a causeway, between two lochs,
Of a chambered stone age tomb with Viking graffiti and a dragon carved into rock,
Of an iron age fortress with the kitchen still intact?Shall I tell you of convivial company,
Or of shared meals of fresh local sea food and succulent lamb,
Of shared experiences and theological thoughts bounced across denominations,
Of the warm hospitality of the Orkney people?What shall I tell you of Orkney?
Sheena Lee
21 – 23 June - Portland (Moderate)
Reasons for depression – England’s defeat by England in the World Cup.
Cure – wonderful weekend at this new youth hostel. SCHOLES of SEAMAN once lived on the Isle of Portland.On a cloudy Saturday, 8 hostellers and 3 day visitors had a pleasant 10 mile walk gOWEN the island; the only climb was up to Tout Quarry Sculpture Park. Lunch and Portland Bill BECKHAM’d us along a lovely cliff walk. BUTT then we passed two jails, which looked very DYER.
The best part of the day was still to come. First, the communal meal, the chief chef Alison filling every one up with sausages, beans (various types) vegetables, lemon sponge, and Bakewell tart. Then the fellowship where we all played musical instruments and Alison spoke very aptly on being ‘living stones’ 1 Peter 2 v 4-10. God as the divine sculpter chiselling the rough edges out of our character and making each of us beautiful for Him yet different with varying qualities and uses.
On sunny Sunday, six of us drove to thatched cottaged Abbotsbury; we walked along Chesil Beach and visited a teashop and ice cream cafe at West Bexington before lunch! While climbing the ridge we saw sheep being sheared and having their ‘toe nails’ clipped. We finished at Abbotsbury tea gardens with one cream tea between the six of us, and no we did not ask for six spoons.
We thank our excellent leader Mary, who gave us many choices in this beautiful area. As SVEN says ‘ we will be back’.
Steve Graham
AberdareNote – For the uninitiated - it took me some time to figure this one out, and just as I was about the edit out all out the names in capitals, I realised they all relate to some gentlemen who are involved in the England football team. Ah!!
21 – 23 June - Hunstanton (Cycling)
This was an idyllic weekend of cycling, ably led by Caroline and Geoff. On Saturday we enjoyed a route through Norfolk villages to Wells-next-the-Sea, returning to Hunstanton by a different, but equally delightful, route.
On Sunday we made our way from the Youth Hostel to the leafy estate of Sandringham where we stopped for a leisurely lunch (at the visitors centre rather than by Royal Invitation!!). Ice cream at Norfolk Lavender Centre, Heacham later that afternoon completed the experience – have you ever tried lavender ice cream?
Over the weekend 83 miles were covered with never a waterproof in sight.
Sara Cooke
Colchester28 – 30 June - Duddon Estuary (Moderate)
About 12 of us came to this rarely visited part of the Lakes. It is a small hostel with magnificent views up the Duddon Estuary to the mountains; it has a fairly large boat in its ground and is just past the car junkyard. The hostel grounds also boast rare bee orchids, a pyramidal orchid, and newts in the pond.
On Saturday we climbed Black Coombe in wintry conditions and wondered where summer had gone. After the usual tea stop, two of us headed to the bird reserve where sandwich terns were sitting on nests and arriving with fish. In the evening a communal meal was shared.
We were going to church on Sunday; but a miscalculation meant there was no service (5th Sunday of the month). As it was raining heavily a number of us went to the Bobbin Mill. Which sounds bobbins, but was actually very interesting, celebrating an important part of the industrial heritage of the Lakes. (There were actually 82 of these mills serving the Lancashire cotton mills). Afterwards we walked up to the lake that used to supply the water for the mill.
Nick Singleton
Cheadle29 June - 6 July - Lanslebourg (Moderate Hard)
The motley crew of 7 consisted of easy to hard walkers, most relatively fit, but included one who hadn’t worn their boots for 20 years. All received a warm welcome at the hostel - food was plentiful and excellent - the hostel manager was extra friendly and helpful with advice and even toasted us off with a free glass of wine at the end.
We had 3 French speakers of various degrees of fluency, and 4 who just smiled and nodded and said lots of "merci beaucoups". Amongst us were a few "David Baileys", a fashion-conscious multiple sun-hat wearer, a self-confessed collector of used train tickets, an aspiring rock-collector, and a perspiring Sherpa for the aspiring rock-collector.
The scenery was majestic, with wild flowers in abundance, 5000 foot high mountain walls and "animales savage" seen en route i.e. marmots and deer. Walks varied from moderate to moderate hard with hard optional extensions, through rugged snow-covered terrain, forest paths, grassy mountainsides, and a few 17th century villages. Weather ranged from mostly sunny to overnight blizzard conditions at a mountain hut.
5 out of the 7 ventured further afield for one night into the Vanoise Park to the Refuge de la Leisse (2487m). This was a fairly basic hut, consisting of an outside trough for washing, plus outside toilets - not for the faint-hearted in blizzard conditions. The scenery from the hut was quite stunning, as were the views of the Grande Motte Glacier from the snow-covered Col de la Leisse (2761m) beyond the hut, and the views of the La Grande Casse on the walkout.
Many thanks to Phil for a very enjoyable week.
Nicola Nimmo - Bedford
John Marsden - Liverpool
Mark Helie - Farnborough13 – 20 July - Keswick (Moderate)
Time out with the Lord on the mountain and by the lake
Convention WeekThirty ramblers joined a few thousand conventioneers for spiritual and physical refreshment in and around Keswick. Staying in houses and the youth hostel, each morning united in purpose and spirit we faced uplifting and challenging Bible ministry followed by a variety of beautiful walks on the fells and by the lake.
‘For some the week meant revisiting old haunts in the Lakes (Skiddaw, Blencathra, Robinson, Causey Pike, Catbells, and Walla Crag but also the ospreys breeding near Bassenthwaite). The tradition of the Convention of "all one in Christ Jesus" was truly met as we listened to Bruce Milne expertly expounding John chapters 17 – 21. In the Bible passages there was never cause for complaining or apathy. As the "God of new things" again opened our eyes to the inexpressible beauty of Lakeland’s creation, so he opened our minds and hearts to esteem the beauty of our Saviour-Creator who entered human experience, suffered, and died, and rose again so that we might know Him. As his disciples share Him with others. May we like John fishing on the Sea of Tiberius know that it is the Lord in our midst who equips us to be fruitful fishers of men.
Thus spiritually fed each morning it was wonderful to spend the rest of the day going into the hills as Jesus had done, to be away from the crowds and to have time to sense the peace that He had proclaimed to His disciples.
Greatly appreciated also were the opportunities to share with each other during the ‘fell-hopping’, tea-shopping’, and ‘after-meeting-flopping’. In finishing I would highly recommend this event to members, and thank Geoff for his excellent coordination and leadership.
Verna Hammond
Worcester19 - 21 July Herriot Way - Part 2 Moderate Backpacking
It’s a dog’s life
Day 1
We started from Hawes at a brisk pace. Hardraw Force, our first scenic spot, needed more rain to be spectacular! Onwards in search of the famous vet, through the fields and stiles of the dales (I wonder why the others have so much trouble getting through the stiles, I don’t!?!). We passed through Askrigg (Darrowby) but still no vet. Where are you James? I might need you if I am ill! Any rain today held off until we were safely inside.Day 2
Aysgarth Falls were beautiful and complex in their various water movements. At Castle Bolton, the tea cakes were delicious, but I was not impressed with the sign "no dogs allowed". From the castle we walked back to Grinton Lodge via moorland, which were a bit wet in places but worthwhile traversing the countryside. I am told Joan and Nigel met up with the group with a fellow friend Pippi …… oh in case you had not realised I’m Zackary, Anne’s dog. Thanks for the walk and on behalf of Margaret Machin, Jane Fletcher, and Jonathan Gower thanks for an enjoyable weekend.Zackary Welch
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