February City Break – CARDIFF

We shall always remember this as our “Wheelchair Weekend in Wales” as Judith had broken her ankle and was restricted to a wheelchair and crutches.

FRIDAY We broke our journey with a trip to Clifton to visit Brunel’s historic suspension bridge over the river Avon gorge. We learned that Lord Northampton was one of the main supporters of the project and admired the brilliance of the engineering and the views down into the gorge. Others visited Castel Coch on route to the Hostel. On arrival we were greeted by a group of musicians who we later learned were from Bath University and were playing at the Cardiff museum on Saturday lunchtime. Stella however found their late night rehearsals all a bit too much.

SATURDAY Exploring Cardiff was new to most of us. Some took a boat trip in the fresh water bay and visited the Norwegian Church whilst others visited the City Centre with its modern developments and a bronze statue of Gareth Edwards or was it Robin Williams or maybe it was Loyd George. The highlight for us was the tour of the Millenium Stadium with its sliding roof and removable playing surface with artificial lights to help the grass grow. The climb to the Royal Box was by lift but the final 50 steps to the top was on foot. So I left Judith in her wheel chair and climbed to the top with the other visitors. We were just about to return when I saw Judith, crutch under one arm, the other on the handrail, hauling herself, with her leg in plaster, up to the top. Having arrived just in time for the guide to announce “Everyone down please”, the look on Judith’s face was a picture but her Physio. would have been most impressed. This was quite an achievement on her birthday and was celebrated back at the hostel with 2 cakes, cards, presents and balloons. We had a really memorable day.

SUNDAY On a lovely sunny St David’s day most of us visited the Barrage which is over a mile long and encloses Cardiff Bay and provides a freshwater boating lake with locks at one end to maintain the water level and prevent the ingress of salt water. We enjoyed the walk there and back with the inevitable Coffee stop to refresh ourselves.

ALFRISTON YH EASTER 2009 10 – 12 APRIL

Eugene, Ruth and I set off for Sussex and having contemplated places to stop on the way, Eugene said he would love to visit Charleston Farmhouse, which we duly did dodging the rather mizzly rain. This was the home of the famous Bloomsbury Group – who entertained their notable circle of friends here and set about painting and decorating the rooms and furniture in a free and eccentric style. I found it very interesting as it was the same era as 78 Derngate but the concept and the image completely different.

The hostel was a delightful flint and stone Tudor house on the Pilgrims’Way, now rather run down. There were 16 of us staying here – Miles’ first weekend away with the Group – and Tilly the dog who had to sleep in the car.

On Saturday Stella had organised a long walk which took in the village of Berwick and its church decorated by Duncan Grant. Ruth and I elected to go to Seaford on the bus and although the museum was inexplicably closed we did find a pub doing lunches for £1! We then set off to walk back to the hostel along the Cuckmere Valley which was so pretty in its soft Spring colours, although we were in the opposite direction to the Nature Reserve I had wanted to see . We had a few problems actually finding the hostel and I ended up knocking someone’s door only to find it was 200 yards further up the road! We then had to rush to get ready for the Group meal at a nearby pub. Having travelled down with a large box of Easter eggs for the raffle, I said I didn’t want to travel back with it as well – strangely though both Ruth and Eugene won a prize!

Easter Sunday dawned sunny and warm and Stella led 12 of us on a long walk up and down the Seven Sisters, enjoying the views and finally arriving at Birling Gap to sit on the stony beach and eat our sandwiches. We had been exhorted to bring towels…. In the end Stella, Miles and I all dipped our legs in the water, which was freezing cold. A pleasant walk back through Friston Forest and into Littlington just too late for the tea shop. Undeterred, a few of us set off again in the evening with our torches to enjoy a drink in one of Alfriston’s pubs.

After packing up on Monday morning we explored the village, starting with the bookshop – a job to get Eugene out of here once in – and then looked at the Chapel and the Church. I visited the Clergy House, first property acquired by the National Trust, with its unusual sour milk flagged floor. Ruth had expressed interest in visiting Lewes – so there for a couple of hours, eating sandwiches in the gardens overlooking a house occupied by John Evelyn, the diarist and then a quick trot round the town, looking at the battlements and the house which Henry V11 bought to pension off Anne of Cleves. Then home after an action packed weekend and in light of what was to come so pleased I had spent such quality time with Ruth.

As this was the first break I had organised I was pleased it went off so well and have now organised the Easter break for next year. Watch this space! (Angela)

Eskdale-22nd/26th May 2009

The hostel is located in its own extensive grounds in an enviable position near the foot of the notorious Hardknott Pass; a route not to be undertaken lightly some members discovered!

Friday - Our little contingent including Janet, Heather and Angela had decided to do a short walk en route at Ulpha Fell which led up the hillside to a tarn, with lovely views etc. but unfortunately the drizzle commenced, the visibility was poor, cloud descended and so reluctantly did we. Arriving at the hostel in daylight, our first impression was favourable; a stone building that looked like a manor house, blending into its hillside surroundings and accessed via a long driveway. Our opinions once inside continued to be positive, enhanced by the friendly and welcoming hostel staff.

Saturday morning saw us all grouped outside, booted up, wet weather gear on, ready for whatever elements we might encounter; drizzle was falling, the ground looked sticky and the skies looked ominous. Not to be deterred, we set off in good spirits to tackle the route up to Hardknott Roman Fort. On the way, we passed through a farmyard and watched the sheep being injected. It was at this point that Angela decided to turn out the entire contents of her rucksack looking for her camera – a move not recommended whilst standing ankle deep in thick mud! Pressing on, we climbed up and explored the impressive windswept ruins of the Fort; pausing to read the information panels, admire the grandstand views, take many photo’s and enjoy a refreshment break.

We made our descent back down to the valley and followed a riverside path by the Esk which led us past banks of bluebells; by this time the sun was shining and we were all steaming! After a picnic lunch, we visited the Church at Boot and then explored the village. Some members decided to reward themselves with a pint first whilst others visited the Watermill and were given a short talk by the Custodian. The ground floor of the Mill housed a random assortment of relics from bygone ages but it was enlightening to follow the trail behind the Mill and watch the water flow through diverted channels and combinations of troughs in order to turn the wheel. We marvelled at “the technology of the day”. We returned to the hostel via field paths and got even more exercise by negotiating some high ladder stiles, one of which was not to Janet’s liking at all!

Sunday dawned fine and sunny, perfect for our ascent of Muncaster Fell/ridge and eventual destination Ravenglass. We had decided to start our walk from Dalegarth, the terminus of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, so after the usual commotion of sorting who was going in which car, we set off in good time to allow Heather and Louise to catch the first train of the day whilst the rest of us walked. Thanks to Elke’s map reading, we enjoyed a very pleasant ramble through woods and water meadows affording fine views before halting for a coffee stop. It was then onwards and upwards with frequent stops to admire the scenery etc. not to mention negotiating bogs and picture opportunities, e.g. Ross’s Camp. (A massive flat slab raised onto other stones to serve as a luncheon table by a Victorian shooting party in 1883!). Lunch was eaten on the descending route with views of the sea and Windscale.

Approaching the outskirts of Ravenglass, we entered the grounds of Muncaster Castle and felt like intruders as we mingled with the paying visitors whilst searching for the public footpath sign. We followed the path up through the trees and rhododendrons before emerging onto a hillside and then descended to sea level where we paused at the remains of a Roman bath house. However, the lure of the tea room was calling and some folk were anxious about the timings of the train which we planned to catch back so quickened our pace. We emerged into Ravenglass village by way of the beach and it was like a step back into time; with one main street forming its backbone filled with interesting houses and quirky cottages.

We sat outside in the sunshine with a sea view and whilst enjoying our tea and cakes were joined by Heather and Louise who had spent some time during the day exploring the grounds of Muncaster Castle and then the village. Our return to Dalegarth on the narrow gauge railway was the culmination to a good day out and allowed us to see some of the route we had walked from a different perspective.

Monday – fine and sunny again. Most of the group departed for home although it has to be said that this wasn’t without some drama. Dinah had not checked her train timetable so was unable to catch a mainline train from Ravenglass but was fortunate to be offered a lift back with Marian (now minus Eugene who had departed a day earlier with Elke D). Hope you are following this? However, Marian then managed to lock her keys in the car so Dinah had to use her RAC membership to call for assistance!!!

In the meanwhile, whilst Angela and Heather did their own thing, four of us had decided to make the most of the weather and attempt the summit of Scafell. It has to be said though that Elke and Janet were far from confident in their ability to reach the summit; Janet having serious misgivings after hearing from Sally about the state of the path. (Lots of loose stones, shale and boulders). Nevertheless, in perfect weather conditions, and with plenty of rest stops, and persuasion, we achieved our objective! It took us all day just to get up there and walk back the same route, but Janet triumphantly sent Sally a text from the top where we perched on the rocks and finished our late lunch admiring the views over Wastwater and seeing the hordes of walkers atop Scafell Pike.

Tuesday – very windy and cold. Our little party bade farewell to Elke and we set off to Ravenglass to visit the railway museum and Janet attempted to read out the details from the town trail.

Kettlewell 16 th – 19 th October 2009

On our journey north Elke, Angela, Louise and I stopped at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park outside Leeds for an amble around the grounds and galleries. Peter Randal’s sculptures were inspiring and mathematical. The Deer Shelter ‘Skyspace’ was good especially as it was blue skies with a few clouds passing over. A good place to stop even time and again as exhibits are changing.

There were 13 of us who met up at Kettlewell a lovely village with 3 pubs, maypole, corner shop and plenty of benches dotted around. On Saturday the majority did a walk from the hostel up to Great Whernside, stopping for coffee on the crags above Hag Dyke (scouting hostel). The walk gave fine views for miles across Wharfdale. After walking along the ridge we had a muddy steep descent to negotiate. The various methods for getting down were; walking backwards to grab hold of grass and fall onto front if needs be (Megan), slide down grass on bottom as if on a sledge (Dinah), various routes to the side on the grass or straight down the middle, poles certainly making it easier. All down safely we crossed boggy area to have lunch by a wall before continuing on circuit to come back by track to Kettlewell. Only 7½ miles but a great day.

Sunday 3 various groups left the hostel: Stella, Norman and Janet did a circular walk to Arncliffe. Angela and Megan walked to Buckden with bus ride back. Eight others left hostel and climbed to Dales Way footpath to Grassington. There was a sprinkling of rain to remind us it was October in England. A tree on limestone scar pavement stood out on its own. In Grasssington we just had time to see the last of Farmers Market and make some purchases before visiting the café.

On Monday we went to Ilkley for a browse around shops and visited Bettys Café Tea Rooms for elevenses. A lovely setting, impressive cakes and teas. Set up for a good journey home.

Thank you Elke for the comfortable ride, yes I did fall asleep only once I think. Thank you Dinah for organising a great weekend, at a good hostel in an excellent location. (Marian)