Newsletter

September 2006

Reports

 

 

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 was an old village school, that 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 (meaning long mound apparently), following parts of the Shropshire Way.  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 countryside.  There was plenty of opportunity for a spot of rock climbing on the craggy mounds for the more adventurous amongst us!

 

 

Leader:                     Sylvia Shaw

Report:                      Nikki Cope

 

 

Bangor                      24 - 26 March                       Cycling Weekend

 

After arriving on Friday evening in a very wet, windswept Bangor, I was relieved that Saturday morning was bright, sunny and WARM.

 

A very select group of 3 cyclists set off on a Sustrans route that had wonderful views over to Anglesey.  The sea was various shades of turquoise, and the sky blue - great cycling weather.  We continued to have good views of the sea through the morning; the distant hills had snow on the tops.

 

Lunch time saw us visiting an aerodrome and air museum.  This was like stepping back in time to the 1940ıs!  There were lots of interesting memorabilia relating to the Second World War.  The weather closed in on the way back, which took us through Dinas and alongside the steam railway track.  Bob had a dramatic blow out on his rear tyre en route - and ingeniously patched up the tyre using part of a plastic bottle lying nearby.  And Guyıs Swiss army penknife came in useful - not for the first time during the course of the weekend!  We arrived back at the hostel in the rain - but we had had an enjoyable 38 mile round trip.

 

On Sunday, we cycled up the valley into the hills, again taking a Sustrans route, which used an old railway track to a slate-mine, for part of the way and had lunch at Idwal Cottage.  It took around 3 hours 20 to get there - and 1 hour 20 to come back down again, which gives some indication of the gradient (and the time coming down also included fixing another puncture)!

 

The weather was kind to us - and it was lovely to see the sun breaking through the low cloud on the hills.  Thanks to Bob for organising a great weekend.

 

Leader                       Bob Harris

Report                       Sarah Prentice

 

 

Bala Backpackers  31 March - 2 April              Moderate/Hard

 

The town of Bala is situated at the northern end of Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid), in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.  Eight CRC people stayed at Stella’s backpackers hostel while another B&B’d.  Other guests at the hostel included a 70+ man who was cycling 30 miles or so a day and we invited him to join us for our evening meal at the White Lion pub on Bala high street on Saturday evening.

 

On Saturday we did the classic walk along the Aran ridge and reached the top of three Nuttalls during a ten mile walk.  On the blustery summit of Aran Fawddwy (905m) we had our lunch overlooking a tarn about a thousand feet below.  Earlier, there had been torrential rain as we boarded the X94 bus to the stop at Drws y Nant, the starting point of the walk.

 

On Sunday morning, Nick and Irene led us in prayer and meditation at Stella’s house across the road.  At a car park next to Llyn Celyn, in the pouring rain, the remaining five set off, fully clad in waterproofs to brave driving winds and rain, up a bridlepath on the heathery lower slopes of Carnedd y Filiast (another Nuttall).  We eventually turned back when further progress was effectively denied due to the path being crossed by a wide stream in full spate about a mile short of the summit.  The adverse weather conditions also showed no signs of improvement.

 

Back at the hostel, we sat down to a welcome hot cup of tea and a slice of Stella’s home made coffee cake.  Many thanks to Nick and Irene for leading, and Stella for hosting, an enjoyable weekend.

 

Leaders                     Nick and Irene Singleton

Report                       Peter Smyly

 

 

Kettlewell                  13 - 17 April                          Easy

Easter weekend

 

On Good Friday six CRC members headed from the hostel up Buckden Pike.  On the summit (702m) we saw the memorial to the crew of a Polish aircraft which crashed in snow during the Second World War.  This included a carving of a fox.  The sole survivor found his way off the mountain by following the footprints of a fox in the snow.

 

Great Whernside (704m) and Little Whernside (604m) were ascended on Saturday.  The birdwatchers amongst us pointed out lapwings, curlews and a few wheatears.  Some of us nearly

lost boots in the peat bog!

 

 

On Easter Sunday we went to Grassington Methodist church.  After church we walked along Wharfedale to Hebden and back to Grassington across the moors, where we saw the remains of

lead mines and some medieval field systems.

 

Monday’s walk started at Coniston from where we walked up a small gorge to join the Dales Way towards Grassington and back through Grass Wood Nature Reserve.

 

Thank you Jeremy for a very enjoyable weekend.

 

 

Leader                       Jeremy Sharp

Report                       Jane Fletcher

 

 

Eyam                         13 - 17 April                          Moderate

Easter weekend

 

We gathered at Eyam for the Easter long weekend and had a good time chatting in the common room.  Good Friday saw us exploring Froggatt and Curbar edges back through Calver to tea at Grindleford Station - where notices such as ‘No variations from the menu, so don’t ask’ complemented the rather eccentric staff.  After dinner, Chris led a short time of worship, which concentrated our minds on what our Saviour had done for us.

 

Saturday saw us crossing Eyam moor taking lunch at the Barrel Inn at Bretton.  The climb up was well worth it as we could see for miles in the brilliant weather and then real pleasure in the downhill!

 

Sunday morning saw us in Eyam church then a walk to Stony Middleton and Coombe dale and back over the top to Eyam - a short walk, but the less experienced had had enough and promised to get fitter for next time!  Once again we had good fellowship in the evening.

 

We visited Eyam museum on Monday morning, then the craft centre where we had coffee before saying a reluctant farewell and going our separate ways.  We had had a really good time together and exchanged addresses before departure for home.  Many thanks Chris for a well planned and most enjoyable time.

 

Leader                       Chris Powell

Report                       June Rose

 

 

Windermere 28 April - 1 May                    All Levels

AGM Bank Holiday Weekend

 

From a high place near the cairn on Wansfell Pike, there are miniature glimpses of lakes and tiny movements of traffic on the road through the vales of Ambleside.  There are memories of places I have seen in other years, light with silver.  Can this really be twenty four years since Chris Hart gave me a lift down to the New Forest, where I went for my first taster of what became for me a family of friends and comfortable acquaintances?  Towards summer’s end around 1982, someone told me about a walking club that I might find interesting and I sent off for details: which was the best choice that I ever made.  For where would I be without my loyal friends in the club?

 

Silver are the memories: for memories are made of this.

 

Report                       David Poole

 

Arriving at the hostel I was greeted not only by a superb location, but also by a wide variety of walks available, not to mention cycle tours, that were particularly enjoyable.

 

Our meeting on the Saturday was well attended and two new committee members were elected.  The meeting was enhanced by the large number of photographic displays reminding us of events gone by, whilst afterwards we feasted on a special anniversary cake. 

 

On Sunday we celebrated the 25th anniversary with a special buffet meal prepared by the hostel staff, before a service of worship in Windermere ably led by Ruth Travis at which Martin Varley from Friends of the Lake District spoke.

 

This was a weekend in which the blessing of good weather was matched by the blessing of Christ’s presence and prayers for the next 25 years.  Many thanks to all those involved in the organisation of this event.

 

Report                       Kevin Pryor

Leaders                     Alison Edwards and Julie Excell

 

 

Whitby                       26 - 30 May                           Moderate

Bank Holiday

 

It’s not often you can say that you have Vikings as neighbours, but Whitby Youth Hostel provided even that, as the neighbouring Abbey was hosting a Viking weekend with tents, battles and all!

 

Saturday: a choice - catch the bus and walk along a disused railway line 4 miles to Robin Hood’s Bay or stay on the bus all the way there.  Fishing village, steep lanes, tea shops, sea view.  Post picnic we all walked the 6 miles along the coast back to Whitby.  Sea air, sea gulls, interesting conversations.  Back at the hostel, what do we need?  Anyone for Call My Bluff?  It was really a quiz, but our ignorance became infectious giggles as we made up the answers: “No, I’m telling you, the star of The Prisoner was Jeffrey Archer!”

 

Sunday: after sampling a cross section of Whitby’s churches, we raced around town on a brilliantly organised treasure hunt ending in Silver Street - very appropriate for 25 years of CRC.  A short walk to Ruswarp led us to boats, mini golf and ooh look: a tea shop!

 

Monday: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 - how far do you want to go?  The walk was from Staithes to Whitby along the coastal path via Runswick Bay.  Up and down we went, enjoying the cliffs and some wonderful beaches.  More fun in the evening playing Balderdash.  Did I mention making the answers?

 

Tuesday: walked from Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar and back.  Some of the most fantastic views on this stretch of coast.  A fond farewell and sadly the weekend was over.

 

Many, many thanks to Mary for making this such a special weekend and to all for being such wonderful company.

 

Leader                       Mary Griffin

Report                       Anthea Allen

 

 

Llyn y Celyn             26 - 29 May                           Easy / Moderate

Bank Holiday - Ballooning by Brecon

 

At the start of this event we had 20 silver balloons tied to various parts of people’s backpacks, one for each person and each day acquired another balloon.

 

By the end of the last day there were only 11 left and only two people finished with three balloons tied to their packs.  They fell foul of gates, bits of wire in barns, hawthorns hedges, thistles, sabotage and one even burst spontaneously!

 

We did the moderate part of the event on Saturday morning, climbing a muddy slope in heavy rain.  Fortunately a sheltered lunch stop in a barn signalled a change to the easy classification and an improvement in the weather which lasted the rest of the weekend.

 

We wandered along the banks of the Usk and the towpaths of the canal admiring the lush green scenery and distant views of the Brecon Beacons, with the occasional shower lending a sparkle to the air.

 

We enjoyed pleasant walking and friendly conversation, a lovely location, wild flowers and wildlife, fellowship with each other and in the churches in Brecon, good meals, and silly games.  All in all an excellent and refreshing weekend, thanks to Julie for her caring leadership.

 

Leader                       Julie Excell

Report                       Ann Arnold

 

 

Youlgreave               23 - 25 June `                       Moderate

 

Hostel: inside modern, recently refurbished/decorated.  Dining room and lounge all open plan, therefore no separate room available.  No car park.  Spacious self-catering kitchen.  4-bed dorms with no storage space.

There were many facets to this weekend:

·        A 13ĵ mile walk on Saturday with lovely views following the river and the Monsal Trail.

·        A Saturday night time of worship led by Val in the slightly cramped venue of a four-bed dormitory.

·        Beautiful well dressings (representation of Christ’s five wounds on the cross).

·        Tea in the village hall.

·        Lunch in a birch copse.

·        Beautiful well dressings (elements of the Guiding movement).

·        Watching villagers ‘petalling’ (pressing petals into the clay base of the well dressing panels).

·        A nice meal in the Bull Hotel; a seven mile leisurely walk on Sunday along the Limestone Way.

·        Beautiful well dressings (image of the river at Youlgreave).

·        The taking in of sights such as the Nine Ladies (a modest stone circle)

·        The Sheep Wash Bridge at Ashford-in-the-Water (where lambs were penned on one side of the river to make the mothers swim across towards them and get a good wash)

·        Beautiful well dressings (juxtaposed images of Youlgreave)


I never found out why it was ‘Youlgreave’ or ‘Youlgrave’?, depending on where you looked.  A good weekend, patiently led by David.  But we never did find the Hermit’s Cave!!

Leader                       David Garland

Report                       Richard Finnigan

 

 

Kinlochleven           27 May - 3 June                   Moderate/Hard

Week holiday

 

When my sister Daphne invited me to join the group for the week she mentioned a prayer before each day’s walk but she didn’t explain that the main purpose was to conquer Munros.

 

So on the first day I dutifully filled in the sheet for the “easy” walk, or was it “moderate”, after the first hour of climbing with sweat mixed with rain pouring down my face, I realised that one person’s “easy” is another person’s “nightmare”.  How some, not mentioning any names (but he is a keen bird watcher), could talk as well as have the energy to climb I do not know. 

 

It gave me some encouragement to find that even some hardened and experienced walkers like John were aching by the end of the day.  While the “easy” group were just bagging one Munro others were climbing four or even five on their first day!

 

Apparently there are some 284 Munro’s all over 3000ft and they are like ancient kingdoms to be conquered but their numbers change (by the order of a committee so anything could happen) and sometime you might have to go back again to finish them off. Once all these “kings” have been conquered, you find that there are Corbetts like ancient dukedoms to be conquered and if you finish all those there are Grahams, Donalds, Nuttalls and Marilyns.  If you are confused by the classifications, don’t worry because there is plenty of time in the mountains to contemplate and sort them out.

 

During the week we were blessed with the most wonderful weather, which was one reason a large group were able to complete the traverse of Aonach Eagach, the highlight of the week for many.

 

On a quick count round at the final meal taken together, some of the Munro records for the week included; Julian 16, Mark 17, Gavin 16, Roger 18, John 11, Sue doubled from 5 to 10, Sharon her first.  Apologies to the many who also did a lot of bagging but have not been mentioned.

 

My favourite quote of the week was directed to the moderate walkers, “they wanted all the glory but none of the effort”.

 

All thanks go to George who organised a great week, even down to communal tea, coffee and milk.  He was presented with a thermal blanket (see above), chain stitched by Pam, to commemorate his completion of all the Munros last year.  Now George, you can start on the Corbetts, or is it the Grahams?

 

Leader                       George Clowes

Report                       Brian Stockwell

 

 

Stow-on-the-Wold  3 - 5 June                              Easy

 

A pleasant hostel, excellent weather and our friendly CRC group made this an outstanding weekend.

 

Saturday’s walk took us first to Lower Slaughter, which made an excellent refreshment stop and is most unlike its rather gruesome sounding name.  Bourton-on-the-Water next, full of people enjoying themselves as well as watching some entertaining Morris dancers.  We ate our packed lunches in more peaceful surroundings on the green at Rissington and eventually found our way back to Stow aided by directions from a friendly farmer and despite being told off by a less than friendly lady when taking a ‘forbidden’ turn at Maugersbury.

 

On Saturday evening we all had an excellent meal at the restaurant ‘La Vigna’ in Stow, which with its stone wall interior and friendly service was altogether a perfect venue.  On Sunday morning most of us went to Stow Baptist Church for a service which included prayers and laying on of hands for one of their members who was going on a mission to Ghana. 

 

On Sunday afternoon we were joined by three day walkers from Birmingham; this made a total of thirteen walkers.  Our route this time included Broadwell and Donnington.  The latter has a substantial brewery, which nestles in a valley and where we were almost mesmerised by some large, lethargic peacocks and peahens within the grounds and also by a large number of white doves.  We then returned to Stow via Upper Swell, and for some a final stop was made at a tea shop garden where just a few drops of rain were felt.  No matter however.   

 

This was a wonderful weekend and many thanks to you, Melanie, for organising the event.

 

Leader                       Melanie Griffiths

Report                       Richard Baines

 

 

Salisbury                  30 June - 2 July                   Easy / Moderate

Stonehenge and all that!!

 

This weekend was a chance to find out more about Stonehenge and the surrounding area.  On the Saturday walk, the route started with an audio tour of Stonehenge, and then to the sites of archaeological interest associated with Stonehenge.

 

We walked the Stonehenge Cursus (a 1½ mile processional way), saw the avenue from Stonehenge to Woodhenge, Durrington Walls and walked past a few of the barrows (burial chambers), of which there are 340 in the area.  We had an excellent and alternative view of Stonehenge from Stonehenge Down to finish the walk.

 

On Sunday, we started from Silbury Hill, the original purpose of which is still not fully known.  West Kennet Barrow was the next landmark, and later in the walk, the impressive Avebury ring, entered by the avenue of sarsen stones.  There was a lot to see on Salisbury Plain, much more than just Stonehenge.  The walks were made more enjoyable through understanding a little more of this country’s history. 

 

Salisbury YHA was a good base to investigate the area for our small group and two day walkers.

 

Thanks to Maureen for leading the weekend and sharing her interest in archaeology.

 

Leader                       Maureen Davis

Report                       Jonathan Gower

 

 

Keswick                    15 - 22 July 2006     Moderate

Convention Week - Time out with God in:

 

Keswick our dwelling for Convention and talks;

a hot destination for worship and walks.

 

Enthused Sunday morn. by praise in church or tent,

up Walla Crag for lake view with zeal we went.

 

Studies in Numbers with Chris Wright began well:

five days’ talks and walks, on Monday: Catbells Fell.

 

Which prepared us to ascend Skiddaw in heat:

Tuesday’s challenging climb and physical feat.

 

In midweek one did ‘round Watendlath a tour,

or sang at Convention for Radio 4.

 

Canoes and rowing boats made Thursday a laugh:

on lake - a fun paddle, in lake - a cool bath.

 

Kind Geoff ended week with Causey Pike Climb.

Thanks to him and Convention for a fab’ time!

 

Leader                       Geoff Payne

Report                       Verna Hammond

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