Newsletter

May 2006

Reports

 

 

Liverpool                  20 - 22 January                   Easy/Moderate

 

When they asked me to compose a piece for this weekend I said help!  For I am no paperback writer.  But Lorraine said we can work it out.

 

The fab four - Lorraine, Sharon, Irene and myself - arrived at Liverpool hostel conveniently located outside the famous Albert Docks.

 

On Saturday we got a ticket to ride by train to Formby, where we saw cute lively red squirrels running up and down the trees, and we walked down the coast to Crosby in bright sunshine (Here comes the sun).  We stopped for lunch next to an Army shooting range; was that Sergeant Pepper we could hear?

 

It was a long and winding road through the dunes and eventually we reached Crosby where the enigmatic Anthony Gormley statues were braving the waves.  We went back to Liverpool where we took a ferry cross the Mersey. There were lots of boats but no yellow submarine.

 

On Sunday we went down Penny Lane and then to church.  Just imagine Lorraine's son was playing the organ.  We were then taken on a magical mystery tour.  We walked from church to the recently restored Palm House where we had lunch.  It was then here, there and everywhere through elegant parks and boulevards to the Catholic cathedral, up a wide stone staircase with the loud peel of bells calling us on.  We admired the interior, and then it was a cafe stop before making our way back.

 

Thanks to Lorraine for an excellent weekend.  It's a place I want to go back to soon; millions of pounds are being spent in preparation for 2008.  By Nick with a little help from my friends.

 

Leader:                     Lorraine Thornecroft

Report:                      Nick Singleton

 

 

Ivinghoe                    27 - 29 January                   Leadership Training

 

Ever wondered what goes into leading CRC walks and events? A small group of us had the chance to find out more and then put it into practice at Ivinghoe.

 

Sue took us through planning a walk, estimating distance and time.  Sylvia’s piece of string with knots at one mile intervals was the tool for the job.  Val gave us insight into the challenges and rewards of leadership, before Jeremy navigated us through the financial aspects.

 

For the practical, Peter boldly led off, and then Susie sped us to the summit of Ivinghoe Beacon.  The temperature meant progress was brisk, so Sue, demonstrating inspired leadership, suggested an extension to the walk.  Shortly afterwards a herd of deer ran across our path and down into the field below.

 

On Sunday we were welcomed at Tring Baptist Church.  June then led us from Wendover up Coombe Hill, with fine views including a glimpse of Chequers.  After lunch, slippery conditions reinforced the lessons of Phil’s safety talk from the night before.

 

Stephen took us back through beech woods to the French Tea Shop, but alas another group just beat us to it.

 

Thanks to Val, Sue, Jeremy and Phil for a really enjoyable weekend.

 

Leaders:                   The Committee

Report:                      David Rodriguez

 

 

Aviemore                  11 - 18 February                  Winter Mountaineering

 

A Day in the Life of a Typical CRC Mountaineer:

 

  • Consume a hearty breakfast of at least 3 bowls of 'power porridge', courtesy of John, with lashings of golden syrup.
  • Drive in icy conditions on roller-coaster/windy roads, with humpback bridges i.e. the road to Lochnagar.
  • Walk at least 2 hours to your climbing objective, alas, the snow might be up to your waist!
  • Admire the prolific wildlife e.g. peregrine falcons, golden eagles, snow buntings, black grouse, ptarmigan, red deer, mountain hares.
  • Marvel at God's handiwork in the beauty of the snow-covered wilderness and enjoy the fellowship of your companions.
  • Climb with 'friends', nuts, hexs, slings, 'crab' and rope equipment.
  • Climb using only one's ice axes; crampons are usually recommended.  Andy is a master of this rare skill!
  • Video/photograph your mates in difficult positions, preferably without falling off yourself!
  • Relish the sensation of ice/snow/rock crashing from above as your guide breaks through the final overhanging cornice.
  • Name new routes, such as ‘Sink & Swim' on Carn Dearg', climbed by Duncan, Nicky, and Andy, with Hannah as guide.
  • Venturing back across spindrift blown icy tops (sometimes in whiteout conditions) and later walking back with a '20 kg' rucksack.  (Susie volunteered for this!)
  • Returning to 5 star accommodation and a luxurious hot bath, watch John's slideshow.
  • Cooking the perfectly balanced low G.I. (glycaemic index) meal in readiness for tomorrow's exertions.

 

 

Many thanks to Kate and John for a brilliantly organised week.

 

Leader:                     John Penrose

Report:                      Julian Marsh

Photographs:          John Penrose

 

 

Aviemore                  11 - 18 February                  Winter Walking

 

Exciting, Exhausting, Exhilarating sums up our venture into the icy highlands sparkling in their winter cloak.  Our week began after flying into Inverness arriving at our base, a cosy apartment in Alvie House, a massive Manor House with its own loch not far from Aviemore.

 

Each day began with Pete the porridge maker up at the crack of dawn to produce Scotland’s finest start to fuel our gang of 6 up into wintry heights

 

Six days of climbing seven Munros, covering between 10-16 miles each day from the westerly Cairngorms to the Monadhliath Range.  The weather varied from bright sunshine in the valleys to blizzards on the summits.  Pauline kindly provided superb meals to our ravishing gang.

 

Our first day involved a visit to the Kirk on Loch Insh where we had a very warm welcome.

 

 

Our local guide Al arrived in his land rover each day to take us on our treks.  He was brilliant, informative, highly trained, and a member of the Mountain Rescue.  We had some amazing walks fording deep streams, and long steep climbs.

 

Our crampons cracked and crunched through the icy wasteland to the summit of Mullach Clach a’Blair (1019m) and Sgor Gaoith (1118m) the most westerly of the Cairngorms.  Spindrift flew off the mountain before a blizzard set in with only a polar bear missing to complete the Arctic illusion.  We had our lunch in a rather cramped but warm group shelter.

 

Our last day was to Beinn Teallach (915m) and Beinn a Chaorainn (1049m) high above Loch Laggan, west of Creag Meagaidh.  In brilliant sunshine we had a long exhausting trek through deep snow.  The summit greeted us with a 360 degrees panoramic view of highland Scotland in its finest sparkling white winter cloak under a clear blue sky.

 

A superb week full of great blessings and high adventure.  A big thank you to Grant for arranging it all.

 

Leader:                     Grant Syred

Report:                      Peter Farley

 

 

Alstonefield              10 - 12 February                  Special

Music and Art Theme

 

13 of us were at Alstonefield hostel for the music and arts weekend.  Down a quiet lane 10 minutes’ walk from the village, the hostel is a barn conversion with views across the fields, and en suite rooms.  A few hundred yards further down the lane were the steep sides of the Hope valley, where we walked on Saturday to come home in glorious sunshine.

 

The morning was spent between an art group who produced water colours and a range of cards that were too nice to send, and making music.  From Mozart’s Ave Verum through Fawlty Towers to folk, with accordions, violins, cello and singing, gave a range of music that entertained between the main course and pudding of an excellent evening meal, and formed the body of our home made act of worship the following morning.

 

On Sunday after the service we walked for 4 or 6 miles through steady drizzle and wind to a warm pub with a welcome fire before leaving for the journey home.

 

A downside was that Phil Nalpanis the organiser was unable to be there with a bad back a few days before, and Valerie Breeze stood in as leader, but the event went well and we had a good weekend.

 

Leader:                     Val Breeze

                                    (For Phil Nalpanis)

 

 

Crickhowell              16 - 19 February                  Moderate

 

 

Perth-y-Pia Outdoor Centre near Crickhowell was the setting for my first CRC event.  On Friday we headed off up Table Mountain (our back-cloth).  One group completed the Cwm Banw horseshoe and the other swept wider round Mynydd Llysiau.  Home to tea and cakes before a tasty meal prepared by Kevin.

 

On Saturday the weather was even better and everyone, including 4 day walkers, climbed Sugar Loaf, one group clockwise and the other anti-clockwise.  Sunshine, blue skies, cool breezes, mountains (snow on distant Pen-y-Fan) and friendship made this a special winter walk.

 

 

Back at base, tea and more cakes were followed by a delicious meal cooked by Sue, and a surprise belated 50th birthday cake for Stephen.  Afterwards we had a time of worship accompanied by Val on violin and solos from Stephen and Pat.  I found it very moving.  The holiday was a great time of meeting and being with new friends.  I was surprised by the en-suite facilities and rocking bunks, taking home memories and unused emergency Kendal mint cake!  We enjoyed John's knowledgeable nature notes too.

 

After a choice of churches in Abergavenny, some said farewell, whilst others braved the windy, cloud-covered Ysgyryd Fawr, finishing with tea at a nearby craft centre.  This was a truly memorable, fine introduction to CRC and thank you to Sue for leading it.

 

Leader:                     Sue Edwards

Report:                      Joan Hand

 

 

Matlock                     10 - 12 March                       Special

 

 

Leader:                     Ian Parfitt

Report:                      Chris Lawrence

 

 

Bridges                     17 - 19 March                       Moderate

 

Arriving on a very chilly Friday evening, having braved rather treacherous road conditions from recent snowfall, we were welcomed by a lovely log fire.

 

Our hostel for the weekend - an old village school - brought back memories for some of former school days; the dining area, once an old classroom; the entrance hall now the members kitchen.

 

Well togged up to tackle biting cold winds and snowdrifts we set out on Saturday to walk the beautiful Long Mynd, following parts of the Shropshire Way (Long Mynd meaning long mound apparently).  Sheltering in the humble setting of a 'sheep shed' for lunch we were very grateful to get warm for a while.  We returned 'home' via the local hostelry (hot drinks and a log fire being the order of the day), having enjoyed a great walk in exceptional conditions.

 

Sunday was far less chilly, and we were able to enjoy a lovely walk on the Stiperstones ridge, giving us beautiful views of the stunning Shropshire countryside.  There was plenty of opportunity for a spot of rock climbing on the craggy mounds for the more adventurous amongst us!

 

Many thanks to Sylvia Shaw for leading this event, and to Cyril for helping with the walks.

 

Leader :                    Sylvia Shaw

Report :                     Diana Hayes

 

 

Wastwater                13 - 17 April                          Moderate/Hard

 

About 20 of us eventually found our way to this remote and very beautiful part of the Lake District.

 

The Youth Hostel has to be one of the best situated and attractive hostels available, set on its own with the front lawn running down to the immense lake which reflects the colours and patterns of the scree slopes across the water.

 

 

The two groups climbed most of the peaks in the area with perhaps Yewbarrow and Scafell the most memorable due to the scrambling needed to get on top.  It was fun and the views were stunning with plenty of sunshine and no rain whilst walking, but there were still some big patches of snow to share with each other, as you do!

 

The home made hostel food is well worth a mention especially the apple and blackcurrant crumble.

 

On Friday night we remembered what Easter was really about through a simple but appropriate praise and prayer time led by Susie and then on Sunday evening Phil led an interesting service giving us an insight to what Easter is like in a Russian Orthodox Church.

 

So thanks then to John, who helped to organise the walks, and to Phil for a very memorable Easter.

 

Leader:                     Phil Nalpanis

Report:                      Dan Forrester

Photographs:          Phil Nalpanis

 

 

Ffald-y-Brenin         13 - 17 April                          Moderate

 

Val Breeze organized about thirty of us for a weekend at a Christian  Retreat Centre, which had many advantages.  We self catered for breakfasts and lunch packs.  Three ladies from the locality provided outstanding dinners for us from Maundy Thursday to Easter Day.  There was nothing fancy: just a main course and a sweet to follow.  But what courses they were!  Piping hot, generous, and spiced or garnished to delight everyone’s taste.

 

My guess is that CRC will use the centre again.  There were other advantages.  The converted farm buildings were intimate, with varied sleeping accommodation.  There is a prayer room where we worshipped on Sunday evening, Dave Scott presiding at the Eucharist.  There is a small circular chapel, a Craft Room, where banners and designs were created to take to the 25th AGM.  ‘There is a green hill’ about  150 yards from the buildings with a large cross around which we gathered, prayed and sang each morning.

 

 

These on site advantages were not all there is to report. Ffald-y-Brenin  is above the Gwaun Valley (Cwm Gwaun) seven miles from Fishguard and four miles from Newport.  It is set in a kind of mini alpine situation, high above the steep sided flat bottomed valley, and we had the admirable choice of Coast Path walks or moor land walking

 

Leader:                     Val Breeze

Report:                     

 

 

St David's                 17 - 21 April                          Moderate

 

God blessed us with good weather and good fellowship for three days of coastal walking with the group being based at St David’s Youth Hostel.

 

My memories are of inquisitive seals watching two legged mammals on top of high cliffs starring at them through binoculars.  Seals though weren’t the only sea creatures that we witnessed.  Some of us spotted porpoises just above the water line on another walk.  There was plenty of bird watching too for those so inclined in the group.

 

All of the coastal walks were linear, and I was impressed with how the car shuffles meant that we had vehicles at our destinations to bring us home.

 

Once home, the only problem then was getting fed.  Fortunately there were different volunteers each evening to rustle up the grub, which unlike the bird wildlife I can recount with astonishing detail.  The two kitchens had been designed with only one having ovens!

 

On the Wednesday evening everyone put on their glad rags and we went out to a local hotel (The Grove) for a meal.  If you needed a break from walking, nearby St David’s offered a cathedral to explore and several tea shops

 

Leader:                     Val Breeze

Report:                      Paul Wherton

 

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