Newsletter

February 2006

Reports

 

Idwal Cottage          9 - 11 September                Hard

 

Having experienced some unseasonably sunny weather in the week prior to this weekend, my hopes were high.  Unfortunately Capel Curig worked it’s usual magic, and the weather for this weekend was not brilliant.  We did though have some very enjoyable walking and some very pleasant fellowship.

 

On Friday seven members and one guest arrived to find a very comfortable hostel with very good facilities, and the Carneddau on our doorstep.

 

Saturday found us driving to Bethesda, where we were joined by two day walkers and set off to climb Carnedd Dafydd.  Whilst our visibility was limited we did have the opportunity to view Roger’s new boots, and had many enjoyable conversations.  After a lunch stop on Carnedd Dafydd we followed the ridge to Carnedd Llewelyn before descending from Yr Elen.

 

At the hostel our fellowship continued over homemade flapjack and a lovely crumble that some of the group had made in the hostel kitchen.

 

On Sunday morning David Lambert led us in a time of worship, after which we set off into Cwm Idwal to climb Y Garn via the Devils Kitchen.  Fortunately we had all had breakfast so none of us were tempted to linger!  Our walk into Cwm Idwal passed below Idwal Slabs, which are very popular with rock climbers, and there were many groups of these in evidence.

 

Again visibility from the summit of Y Garn was minimal, and we descended from there back to Llyn Idwal.

 

Back at the hostel we were able to finish the last of the flapjack before setting off on our homeward journeys.  This was a very enjoyable weekend, and many thanks to Roger for leading it.

 

Leader:                     Roger Winterburn

Report:                      Kevin Pryor

 

 

Austria                       1 - 8 October                        Easy / Moderate

 

Perchtoldsdorf is a very nice town, conveniently situated a short distance from Vienna.  As well as proving to be an excellent location for our holiday, it is also where Trans World Radio – Europe (TWR-E) have a base.  TWR is a Christian radio network broadcasting across the world in more than 190 languages.

 

After our arrival on Saturday we were greeted by members of TWR who would be organising activities for us throughout the week.  On Sunday we attended an Austrian Evangelical Church.  As the service was in German this was an interesting experience, but Marlene was on hand, with her interpreting.  We were given a warm welcome by David and Marlene (David Fry used to walk with the CRC in the 1980s), and other people from the church who kindly provided us with lunch after the service.  Sightseeing trips were made into Vienna as well as hikes and bike rides, Vienna being the world’s 3rd best city.  On Tuesday evening we had a tour of the TWR-E offices and facilities in Vienna.

 

On Thursday we visited the city of Bratislava which was a complete contrast to Vienna, with remnants of the Communist era being very evident.  The chocolate shop had to be seen to be believed.  We were all amazed, and could not resist the hot chocolates, which came with an arrangement of delicious biscuits, and were amazingly cheap.

 

Thursday evening saw us being entertained by TWR staff in Bratislava.  A traditional meal was prepared, and as in Vienna, we enjoyed meeting people from many different backgrounds and listening to their experiences.  After supper we were given a tour of the office and facilities.  Whist I didn’t understand the technical concepts, hearing broadcasts live on air in languages such as Arabic and Czech was just awesome.

 

On Friday Steve and Christian led us on a hike into the edge of the Alps.  The scenery was stunning and the weather just perfect.  After a day in the mountains we returned to spend the evening in Vienna for a concert featuring music by Strauss and Mozart.

 

Thanks to Anita, Chris and all the staff at TWR-E for their hard work in providing such an enjoyable and interesting week.

 

Trans World Radio www.twr.org Trans World Radio UK www.twr.org.uk

 

Leader:                     Anita Jones

Report:                      Jane Merrifield

 

 

Castleton                  28 - 30 October                    Moderate

 

What makes a good weekend away? Beautiful scenery? Some sunshine? Good company? Well we had none of these at Castleton….only joking; we had them all in abundance and an extra hour to boot !!!

 

On Saturday we walked along the start of the Pennine Way, up Jacob's Ladder to the southern edge of the Kinder Scout plateau.  It was an excellent walk.  We had wonderful views of the valley - autumnal trees and bright green fields.  We passed the rock outcrop filmed in 'Pride and Prejudice'.  (no sight of Mr Darcy, sad to say!).  In the evening we had a very good worship and prayer time, and we met 'Ben the Prayer Bear' who also joined us on our walks.  This was followed by a couple of team games and lashings of hot chocolate and biscuits.

 

Sunday morning was a bit wet and windy, but we still enjoyed a walk along the Great Ridge, which we shortened due to the weather.  We ended the weekend with tea and cake at the hostel.

 

It was a really good weekend with lots of fun.  Thank you Kevin for leading the event and helping to make it so enjoyable.

 

Leaders:                   Kevin Pryor

Report:                      Lesley Belding

 

 

Wooler/ Kielder       2 - 29 October                      Moderate / Hard

 

New event leader, Alan Williams, made a supreme effort in planning/preparing all the  varied walks.

Off road ‘rallying’ along Forest Drive thru the massive Kielder Forest.

 

Roger celebrated his birthday with more extraordinary bog walking and was  rewarded with a Border Pie complete with candles!

Thought provoking evening activities e.g. Sudoku, Scrabble, Giant Jenga, ’Four on a Couch’.

Hot and powerful showers at Wooler Y.H. were a blessing after our wet walks.

Up on the Pennine Way we watched two butting goats, and visited a Roman Fortlet in brilliant sunshine.

Moorland with bogs galore - George almost lost his boot near ‘The Cheviot’ on day 1.

Bird hides and a pub made welcome refuges during our very wet coastal walk.

Europe’s largest manmade lake with England’s most remote village of Kielder—no mobile reception!

Rain, mist and wind were in abundance during this week .

 

Lindisfarne Island beckoned us with its priory, castle and tearoom.

A la carte menu at the Kielder Y.H. was excellent, plus free cooked breakfast.

Nuthall bagging by Jane, alas only six in the Cheviot Hills, and two Marilyns.

Dolly was crowned Northumberland Supreme Scrabble champion, alas she couldn’t celebrate with her famous fruitcake!

 

Many thanks to Alan for leading such an interesting week and to Roger Winterburn for taking all the bookings

 

Leader:                     Alan Williams

Report:                      Julian Marsh

 

 

Lee Valley                 25 - 27 November               Easy

 

Based on the outskirts of London, Lee Valley offers 10,000 acres of lakes and parkland.  The weather was bright and crisp which helped to make this a wonderful weekend break.

 

12 CRCers came to the event and we were very pleased to welcome two new members, Martin from Royston and Claire from Ipswich.  The hostel is both modern and spacious, but there were a few difficulties, notably the men's shower which only gave cold water!

 

Mary joined us on Saturday, and we strolled along the towpath towards Rye Meads where in 1683 an attempt to assassinate Charles II was foiled.  We then followed the course of the New River, which was constructed around 400 years ago to bring fresh water to London.  In all we covered around 13 miles.

On Sunday we went to the service at Waltham Abbey, after which we wandered through the ruins of the old abbey and saw the tomb where Harold I is reputed to be buried.  As we continued through the town we crossed the Meridian Line where the western hemisphere meets the east, and then continued on our way to the Lee Valley.

 

We were then very fortunate to see many kinds of wildlife such as a pike being caught, a kingfisher, and John was thrilled to see a Drake’s Smew (a rare bird from the Artic).  The day ended at a bird hide before we all headed for home.

 

Many thanks to Ralph for the organising this wonderful event.

 

Leaders:                   Ralph Palfrey

Report:                      Peter Edwards

 

 

Alstonefield              23 - 27 December               Special

Christmas

 

Spiced cider and a very warm welcome on arrival cheered our spirits after a foggy drive through bustling high streets and over desolate moors (Stuart’s route).  It was a very a tight squeeze in the car park, some eventually having to park in a field - to the AA’s consternation when two of us had to be rescued on the last morning.  (AA as in cars!).

 

Fog was still around on Christmas Eve as we set out to walk in the Manifold Valley.  The weather improved and stayed fine and bright for most of our stay, especially on Christmas Day when we walked along the Tissington Trail after a lovely service in Ashbourne.  Walks on Monday and Tuesday were in Dovedale, and there was even snow on Tuesday.  Christmas card type views were everywhere.

 

A number of people went to the Christmas midnight service in Butterton, and heard a sermon on Scrooge.  Scrooge-like feelings were far from Alstonefield Hostel over those few days.  There was no humbug but lots of Christmas cheer.  The hostel is very comfortable with a large lounge and open plan kitchen and dining area.  There was even another kitchen which came in very useful on Christmas Day for the splendid turkey which was served up with all the trimmings.  Three cheers for Ann and her team!

 

During Christmas dinner we had a magic show presented by Daniel and his lovely assistant, Andrew.  We gasped in amazement as Daniel always knew which card had been chosen and hidden.  After dinner we opened our wonderful presents including rat droppings (edible) for Chris.  I didn’t see him eat them though.

 

Every evening we had a time of meditation when we thought about our Saviour’s birth and what it means to us.  This was usually followed by a more boisterous time of puzzles, quizzes and games.

 

Everyone had a wonderful Christmas with lots of fun, festivities and friendship.  Many thanks to the indefatigable and unflappable Arnolds for all the hard work that ensured that everyone had such an enjoyable and refreshing few days.

 

Leaders:                   Ann and Peter Arnold

Report:                      Irene Singleton

 

 

Keswick                    27 December - 2 January             All Grades

 

Keswick Convention Centre at New Year: a chance to get out on the hills, cross off a few Wainwrights, pick up a bargain in the sales, put on some weight, play games, and get cold!

 

This year the week started in glorious sunshine as the family walk tackled the 4,500ft and 11 miles of the Coledale Round and Grasmoor.  The glorious sunshine gave way to a wind capable of freezing water bottles, and the day ended with a descent from Grisedale Pike best described as ‘interesting’ due to the ice.

 

Friday brought snow, but the desire to conquer the smaller Wainwrights spurred us on.  On New Years Eve it rained, but we couldn’t stop Val Fane from dragging a large group of us up Rosthwaite Fell to admire the rain sodden vista of Borrowdale.  Sunday saw Val leading again up Ullscarf – her final Wainwright.  Pretty well the whole group accompanied her, the younger ones adding in a couple of peaks, while the older ones walked sedately up Langstrath.  Some returned via Armboth Fell, and very wet, semi-frozen bog to Watendlath, while the rest returned the way they came up.

 

Monday saw us on Carrock Fell enjoying the sunshine (when out of the wind), before joining the long queue south.

 

Cooking was in teams on a rota - and Tesco’s Internet Shopping saved the endless treks to Booths Supermarket.  Cooking one main meal and a breakfast in five days is never a problem even for the teenagers’ team, and the food was good – hence the weight gain!

 

And the cold – swimming in Derwentwater at midnight on New Year’s Eve for three teenagers (and the northern end of the Centre for others…).  Thanks to Bob Floyd for all his hard work organising the event.

 

Leader:                     Bob Floyd

Report:                      Peter Brown

 

 

Bath                           28 December - 1 January             Easy / Moderate

 

No the Skyline is not man’s latest attempt to reach Mars, but an exciting panoramic tour of Bath, and while the visibility was poor and the rain consistent, I saw enough to make me want to return sometime.

 

Other highlights of this city centre New Year event were hiking in the Mendips and cycling along the Kennet and Avon towpath, wet beyond caring, but exhilarating.

 

We enjoyed a Viennese concert and a superbly well organised New Year dinner and party, together with a more formal dinner.  There were so many choices on the menu that I did not hear much of the usual talk of marathon hiking across windswept moors, but rather the famous buns at Sally Lunn’s, and cream teas with piano accompaniment at the Pump Rooms.  Very civilised.

 


Leaders:                   Anita Jones

                                    Gareth Reed

Report:                      Graham Oliver

 

 

Grasmere                  28 December - 2 January             All Grades

 

What did I do for New Years Eve, I ponder, before I started attending the CRC New Year event?  Some of my memories are of lonely times, others of dull parties, others of paying well over the odds to be part of a merry throng in some restaurant or bar.  How good to escape it all, and come to the lovely Lake District and catch up with what's going on with my fellow CRCers!

 

The weather was pretty good for the time of year.  Two fabulous days of walking with a dose of winter sunshine enabled the snow covered high peaks of Helvellyn, Fairfield and Bowfell to be scaled.  These gave breathtaking views, (never to be seen by the fair-weather summer walker).

 

Those who were less ambitious sampled the delights of the locality around Grasmere with picturesque walks around the lakes and the lower peaks, including the interesting summit of Helm Crag, - and of course finishing at the village tea shops.

Winter scene in Milldale near Alstonefield
 

 

There were two murky weather days sandwiched between the good ones, but spirits were not dampened, even if waterproofs were moderately.

 

There were well-organised things to do in the evenings, (including a poetry evening bravely run by Evelyn despite a wrist fracture sustained out walking), culminating in the tried and trusted formula of New Year's Eve festivities of food, party games and quiz, before the final worship meeting of the year.


 

 

Our organisers promised a special surprise for after the midnight hour.  We found that fireworks lit up the Grasmere sky, with our neighbouring hotel's display being the most spectacular in the village.  We later found that the surprise was actually a CRC anniversary cake, (and not in fact the fireworks!).

Charlie and Hannah, (the organisers), looked after all the small details most proficiently.  Out of a plethora of other people who contributed to the event's success, I also mention the YHA hostel staff who were extra-ordinarily helpful and friendly.

 

On the last evening, Steven Graham said a few words about the well-known passage of scripture, Eccl 3, "a time for everything".  From talking to others, I think for the majority of us, this holiday can be summed up as "a time for refreshment" to launch us into the New Year.

 

Leaders:                   Charlie and Hannah Pimm

Report :                     Grant Syred

Artwork:                    Sylvia Petrie

                                    (including cover)

 

 

Thanks for visiting our site !

Please let us know you have seen our web pages by emailing the CRC WebWeaver