Newsletter
December 2007
Reports
Burley 18 - 20 June 2007
It was a real treat to cycle past
the
Leader: Luke Randall
Report: Ruth Lennard
Beer 20
- 23 July
Beer is a picturesque village
which was once a smugglers’ cove.
Our first evening meal of Beer’s “award winning fish and
chips” was consumed on its pebbly beach whilst watching a calming setting
sun.
The next day saw us begin along
the coastal path to Branscombe Mouth - a route with
breathtaking views along the coastline.
Walking back, we made our first “teashop stop” at the
“Old Bakery”.
Day two started out from Peak Hill
above the Regency town of
We travelled through fields and on
along the path of the River Otter to Otterton Mill
and another “teashop stop”.
Lunch was spent at Budleigh Salterton, then continuing along the coastal path to Ladram Bay to be met by two welcoming sights, firstly the
wonderful view of the sweep of the coast and secondly an ice cream van! However, there was, for some of us, the
“challenge” of a steep hill through woods, and I can say for one, I
was blessed by the God given presence of Arnold, who got me “Up and
Over” the most strenuous part of the walk all day!!
We later gave thanks for both him
and the wonderful weekend that John had given us, in our evening service lead
by Pauline, who I would affectionately like to refer to as the “lady of
the grassy fields!”, as she taught me how to recognise the Lady’s
bed straw from the wild rye grass.
Thank you from all of us John for
a wonderful “full of cheer and not just from the beer” weekend.
Leader: John Mitchell
Report: Alice
Beckinsale
Sherwood
Forest 3 - 5 August
Robin Hood Festival
Seven weary travellers met up at Ye Olde Sherwood Hostel on the eve of Saturday. The weather looked promising for a sunny
weekend of walking, jousting and medieval merriment. We woke to the hustle and bustle of the
festival village being set up and the Hostel cordoned off by the
Sheriff’s parking attendants (Boo, hiss).
However, we all met up with
Sunday was another scorching day and after church we took the horseless carriages to Farnsfield. We disguised ourselves as local footpads and prepared for the arduous climb up Robin Hood (Hoorah) Hill all 144m. Eddy the young squire of Brian the Bold heroically was the first to make the top but only to roll all the way back down!
Our thanks to Julie Lady of
The
Leader: Julie Excel
Report: Brian Clark
Lynton Devon 10 - 12 August
Twelve of us gathered at Lynton
Youth Hostel where the beautiful North Devon coast meets
In the early evening we scurried
down to Lynmouth for the annual “raft
race”. The harbour was buzzing
with an excellent jazz band, whilst the bridges and riverside were packed with
spectators hurling bags of flour at the rafters, all in aid of charity, who
reciprocated with buckets of water and stray bags of flour. Great fun!
On Sunday we joined the local
parish church for morning worship and then walked up the wooded valley by the
It was a fantastic weekend. Thank you Chris for planning and leading this
event, and for your calm and friendly approach.
Thank you to everyone for your fellowship, it was great spending time
together, enjoying God and His creation.
Leader: Chris
Down
Report: Pauline
Dix
Blaxhall 23 - 27
August
A group of around 12 of us found
our various ways to Blaxhall YHA in deepest
Leader: Peter Allott
Report: Val
Goddard and John Nicklin
Ingleton 23
- 27 August
On the first day eleven or so of
us set out from Ingleton YHA on a glorious sunny day
to climb Ingleborough, only to find ourselves being
plunged (willingly) into a dark underground cavern. A local caving club provide access to Gaping
Gill for a week or so over the bank holiday weekend, and Phil had carefully
timed the walk to allow us to take the opportunity to go into it. It is accessed by sitting in a small metal
chair and you are lowered into a very, very dark and deep hole, which, when
your eyes have adjusted, is a huge, limestone cave the size of a
cathedral. For me it was unexpected and
interesting. We then just had time to
get up Ingleborough and see the magnificent views
over the limestone landscape that you don’t see over your shoulder on the
way up.
The walk on the second day
started from the Ribblehead Viaduct at the top of the
valley with views over the impressive Victorian railway structure. The route then took us up the 1,000 or so
feet onto Whernside for a great lunch spot with views
over the route from the day before. The
group then did around 12 miles along the gentle ridge heading due south back to
Ingleton, finishing with the pretty waterfall walk at
the bottom.
One evening we had a prayer time
and were reminded of walking in God’s great landscape when we read in
Isaiah 55: ‘As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return
to it without watering the earth making it bud and flourish…so my
word…will achieve the purpose for which I sent it…You will go out
in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song
before you and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.’ It was
a reminder that as we soak up God’s Word, that is Jesus; we will flourish
and grow in joy.
On the Sunday we attended a
service at
Leader: Phil
Nalpanis
Report: Helen
Fairmaner
Snowdonia 24
- 28 August
Idwal Cottage
I
wanted to climb
People
joined and left our group, depending on the day, and whether they thought they
could manage the dizzy heights of the mountains in what I previously thought of
as inaccessible terrain. Each ascent
provided many challenges in terrain, gradient and height and gave a tremendous
sense of achievement thanks to the patience and wisdom of the walk leaders and
back markers.
The
mountain tops all have interesting Welsh names, and on the first two days we
climbed Tryfan, Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr,
Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Daffydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and Pen yr Helgi
Du. Then we tackled
Don’t
get the impression that this event was all climbing and no talking, as this
would be underestimating the abilities of the CRC members and visitors. There was lots of conversation, laughter and
an inspiring devotional time.
Many
thanks to Roger for taking the inexperienced with the ‘old’ hands
or feet and getting all of us to the mountain tops in reality, in the dry -
yes, all four days - and with views!!
Leader: Roger
Winterburn
Report: Pauline Horwill
This was a weekend full of
variety and interest. On the Saturday, for
early arrivals, there was a delightful walk through the Teign
Gorge from
On Sunday we were a full group of
eleven hostellers and we walked the scenic three miles from the hostel to
Exeter Cathedral for Sung Eucharist at 9.45 am.
Our next journey was by bus to Starcross on
the Exe estuary for an afternoon walk, including an excellent halfway
refreshment stop, and along the river back to the hostel.
On Monday we were joined by some
local walkers, and our good friend Arnold Cade, who guided us with knowledge
and expertise over the wild terrain of
On Tuesday a full day's walk was
undertaken by just three of our group, joined however by two more for the lunch
break at
Many thanks, Maureen, for
organising such an enjoyable and varied weekend. We also had excellent weather!
Leader: Maureen
Davis
Report: Richard
Baines
Stow 6 - 8 September
Navigation I
Five of us spent the weekend at
Our knowledge of OS maps and
compass bearings was various, but Jane Wood managed to control the group
superbly.
In the evening after supper she
taught us by photos to recognize things.
We had practice on walks in the
beautiful countryside around
I definitely recommend such a
weekend to anyone who wants to be able to "navigate" a walk. Jane's patience is unending.
We worshipped at an interesting
little church in the back streets of
Jane’s knowledge of local
events even enabled us to arrive at a village fruit and produce show in time
for superb tea and cakes; how do you plan walks like that?
We took an interesting photo of
the footwear of one of the group you will see; Jane had spare laces to tie the
uppers down!
Leader: Jane
Wood
Report: Delyth Jenkins
Burley 7 - 9 September
On the
first night a mini walk was quickly organised into the village. Although pitch black we found a badly lit
Burley and a quick reconnoitre revealed that there it had a dearth of
“witch craft” shops!
On
Saturday with our group of ten Daphne took us on a detour to visit the
“Naked Man” which was a fenced in clump of trees marking the spot
where hangings had taken place in medieval times!
Being
blessed with warm sunshine we had lunch at Wilverley Inclosure and succumbing to the heat we all had an extended
catnap in the glorious sun.
After a
teashop stop a small group headed back into aforementioned village and ice
creams were had after a rogue pony had barged its way to the front of the queue
and nabbed some cones!
We were
again blessed with warm sunshine on Sunday, and had our time of worship in the
forest was led by Cyril with readings from the Psalms.
Our
walk then managed to include a visit to a pleasant pub and a sighting of a
group of deer.
Thanks
to Daphne and Sylvia for their hard work we were all truly renewed in spirit.
Leaders: Daphne
Stockwell and Sylvia Pulleng
Report: Richard
Balmer
Sheringham 21 - 23 September
Cycling
Leaving Alison to explore the
delights of local delis by car, five cyclists (Geoff, Hilary, Armin, Jim and
Sara) set out on Saturday from Sheringham
hostel. At Pretty Corner, Amy (aged 3)
joined the ride, seated behind dad, Nigel, to enjoy the views and the
blackberries. This being his inaugural
cycle ride of 2007 and still recuperating from serious illness, Nigel used his
newly acquired electric bike to keep up with the group! Fervent prayers to
confess the sin of coveting thy neighbour’s electric bike were muttered
as each hill came into view!
It was noted that Armin quickly shrugged off
the tensions of
Morning coffee was taken alfresco
at Blickling Hall, where Nigel passed the baton (the
pump?) to Joan, who completed the day’s 35 mile circuit by
well-upholstered pushbike, without a backseat rider. Afternoon tea was another civilised outdoor
affair at Felbrigg Hall, imagining how the other half
used to live.
On Sunday, another glorious sunny
day, we left the hostel by the more gentle inclines of Old Sheringham
and headed for Holt station, to meet the steam train as it arrived. As if that excitement wasn’t enough we
took to the wonderful tea shop (Sara’s favourite?) at Cley. The bacon ciabatta
with mango chutney is recommended if you have 30 plus miles to cycle! Then, on we rode via lunch in a delightful
churchyard, to the final rendezvous at Pretty Corner tea garden.
It was a great weekend - thanks
everyone.
Leader: Geoff
Spiller
Report: Sara
Cooke, Jim Rogers
Lisbon
What shall I pack? Walking boots - possibly, sun tan cream
definitely, swimsuit, flight tickets - destination a four star hotel in
Eleven of us were met at
We were joined for the evening
meal by the Rev Rubinho Pirola
the Director of Trans World Radio in
On Sunday morning Rubinho had arranged to take us by minibus and his car to
the ‘Reviver’ church, where we had a warm welcome and could have a
first attempt at Portuguese by joining in the singing with the words on the
screen. Rubinho
preached and a member of the congregation ably translated his words. After chatting to members of the church, we
were given a lift into the centre of
We explored older parts of the
city, gradually making our way to the central area with shops and along the
riverfront where, on a Sunday afternoon, games of draughts and pelota type games are played, and on to the Castle with its
panoramic views of the city. We were all
given directions to the Hard Rock Café, which had been booked for dinner -
spare ribs being recommended, but other dishes also thoroughly enjoyed!
The week ahead offered lots to
see and do, a variety of sightseeing, walking and cycling, and we became
familiar with the metro and train system (challenging at times!). We had a good coastal walk which included sighting
of dinosaur footprints on the rock face.
Our travels took us to
We visited Estoril
and Cascais and also Sintra
which had so many places of interest, including the
Thursday evening included a visit
to the Trans World Radio office and studio, a meal in a restaurant specially
opened for us. There we were given a
presentation about TWR’s work in
We enjoyed fine sunny days all
week, and rain only came on Saturday as we were due to return. So, not a typical CRC holiday but with the
same characteristics of Christian fellowship and fun. Many thanks, to Anita and Chris for all the
planning and thought that went into such a good week.
Their websites are: TWR Global: http://www.twr.org; TWR Portugal: http://www.radiotransmundial.org; TWR
Leader: Anita Jones
Report: Pat
Fennell
Hathersage 28 - 30 September
Navigation
II
The “Navigation II”
weekend found four budding CRC walk leaders making their way to the Peak
District for some expert tuition from Ian Parfitt. Saturday was spent on the
We were asked to seek out some
extremely obscure and tricky to navigate “features”, (e.g. a
boulder, a ditch and a bog!). It must
have left a few onlookers wondering what on earth we were doing!
By Saturday afternoon, the
"off the beaten track" approach was taking its toll on some as time
after time we launched ourselves off into the knee high heather.
Sunday on Burbage Moor brought
more of the same, with the emphasis on micro-navigation to shorter distance
targets. One skill that we concentrated
on was "pacing" to a target.
This would be particularly useful on a foggy day or after dark.
Everyone found the training
useful and I would recommend it to anyone with a basic grasp of navigation
wanting to navigate more efficiently and safely, (and lead groups), in remote
areas.
Many thanks to Ian for giving of
his time on the weekend and preparing for it, and for his patience with us.
Leader: Ian Parfitt
Report: Grant
Syred
Falmouth
Nine guys and five girlies spent
the week in a converted barn, which had most things you could want including
four good showers - hurrah, and eating at one long table helped us bond
together pretty well.
Four of the days we walked on the
south coast path from Portscatho to Coverack as well as several miles of inland footpaths, and
two days on the North coast path - Hell's Mouth (which appeared to be a cafe -
maybe we should have tried resisting the proprietor) to Perranporth. Shorts and shades were more valuable than
over-trousers during the week, which suited me just fine.
Unfortunately (for the others)
Phil and myself were the only guys to avoid at least one day debilitated with
stomach trouble and for some it was several days. I hope it was a coincidence that on the first
night, whilst supposedly drying-up, I caught two naughty girls plotting to add
the mobile phone number of one of my roommates to the kitchen poster advising
whom to call in the event of illness. On
Friday morning Kevin found that overnight his car had tried to re-enact the
last scene from “The Italian Job”, but he took this expensive
mistake with impressive calmness.
The first few evenings after
coffee, weren't great. I think I'd just
assumed we'd go to the pub, and I was surprised by the long silences in the
open prayer sessions. I guess I've just
got used to prayer meetings where it's difficult to get a word (prayer)
in. Towards the end of the week we had a
few games (thanks Brian and Kevin) and I got new insights into some of my
fellow walkers. Despite the first few
evenings I had a good week. Thank you
all who went for sharing it with me.
Joke of the week: “How many
CRC walk leaders does it take to change a light-bulb? Two, one to change it,
and one to make sure he gives a two minute warning.” That was Peter W.
Leader: Pauline
Horwill
Report: Bernie
Woods
Streatley 12 - 14 October
On Friday evening three men
called Peter arrived at Goring & Streatley station and made their way to
Streatley hostel, to join another man (who stubbornly refused to change his
name) and two female CRC walkers!
On Saturday we set off for a walk
of about 12 miles along a part of the Ridgeway through to Aldworth,
where “there were giants in the land”. Actually these giants were statues taken from
the tombs of early beneficiaries of the local church, and were laid out in the
aisles. From there we continued to
Moulsford where we joined the Thames Path back to Goring. In Goring village a friend of our walk leader
kindly invited us all to her house for tea and cakes. After an evening meal we chose to play Uno saying we were not interested in the
On Sunday, after a visit to
Goring Free Church, two of the group caught a train home. We were however joined by five day-walkers
for a walk to the west of the village along and above the Thames Path.
Thank you to Peter and Ann for a
lovely weekend.
Leaders: Peter and Ann Arnold
Report: Peter Allott
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