Ilam 2-4 October 2015

We were a bit late setting off as an accident on Manningham Lane caused a diversion and it seemed a long way to Flash where the 'A' and 'B' parties started their walks. All the walks were shortened to fit in with the time available. The 'A' party managed to get to the trig point on The Roaches but the 'B' party took a lower route through. These are some of Ben's photos from the 'A' party walk.

The 'C' party did a circular walk starting at Upper Hulme and these are some of Sheila's photos.

I opted for the 'B' party and it was a beautiful sunny day and quite hot in the afternoon which made the walk seem more difficult than it should have been. We had good views of The Roaches on both sides of our path.

The 'B' and 'C' parties finished outside a pub that was closed but the 'A' party managed to find one that was open! Trust them.

Shortly after 5.00 pm we set off for Ashbourne where we dropped off the people staying in B&Bs and then on to Ilam Hall YHA where most of the party were staying. What a grand place this is. It has been a hostel since 1935 after it had been saved from demolition by the Cadbury family who bought it for £500 in 1934. It is now owned by the National Trust and is surrounded by beautiful park land and gardens. The following are Mary's photos.

What a lovely place to stay.

I managed to forget to pack my camera so I only have a few photos of my own taken on my Google Nexus tablet and my primitive phone.

Day 2 Circular walks from the hostel

All three parties did circular walks from the hostel, of varying lengths taking in Dovedale. I opted for the 'B' party as the walk was going via Thorpe Cloud, something I had always wanted to climb up. It wasn't too bad going up apart from the last little bit but it was quite narrow on the top which made it a bit scary.

Don't panic!

This is 'A' party on top of Thorpe Cloud. They didn't want to be upstaged by the 'B' party!

We climbed down a more gentle way after walking along the short ridge and arrived at the stepping stones in Dovedale.

All three parties walked along Dovedale. The 'B' party turned off at Ilam Rock and climbed very steeply up to the top after stopping for lunch on the way.

Ilam Rock

This is a link to a YouTube video of someone climbing the rock.

We had managed to persuade Brian, our leader, that we needed to get back to the house in plenty of time to partake of tea and cake at the National Trust tea rooms but he was determined to fit in a few more hills before we descended to Ilam.

This is something you don't see too often when out walking!

As it was we were the first group back and had plenty of time to eat cake, drink tea, visit the shop and admire the textile exhibition. 

Everyone had a good day and all the parties were back in time for afternoon tea.

Day 3 ending in Matlock Bath

I had a bit of time to wander around the grounds before the coach departed and these are a few more photos from my phone.

There is also a bunk house and a caravan park at the back of the main house.
Just time for a few more photo shots before departing on the coach.

Male Models

All three parties walked to Matlock Bath by various routes. I joined the 'B' party again and we followed the Limestone Way from Tissington. It was another lovely sunny day and we had a lovely long lunch break in the sun.

There was a very steep path down through the woods to Matlock Bath and it was a bit of a culture shock arriving there to be greeted by hundreds of bikers and many fish and chip shops. It felt a bit like I imagine Blackpool to be (I have never been there!)

Still, we managed to find tea and buns. Others found the pub or the fish shop so everyone was satisfied although many thought it wasn't a very nice place to finish the weekend.

Many thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the weekend, particularly Jean Galthen, the walks leaders and Steve the driver.
Also thanks to those people who have provided me with photos by email and Facebook, Ben, Mary, Sheila, Jayne and Margaret. I might add some more later but I wanted to get this done while I have electric! Some of you will know the problems I have been having but touch wood...........!

Wooler 2-4 May 2015

Wooler YHA

Saturday 2 May

Wooler is not the obvious place to go for a weekend away and I was asked at the bus stop 'where is Wooler anyway?' However it does have a YHA where many of us were staying and it is conveniently situated between the Cheviots and the coast so the available walking is very varied.
There are a few shops, various places to eat and a handy Co-op for sandwiches and other necessary supplies.

Angel of the North

We were delayed on the way up there by a tragic accident in which a  motor cyclist collided with the barrier and was killed. Fortunately Steve was on the ball and turned off into the near-by services otherwise we would have been delayed for hours. Then we encountered road works which seemed to go on for ages but eventually we arrived just south of Craster where the 'B' party alighted for their walk. The 'C' party continued further up the coast and joined the same coastal walk.
Craster is a small fishing village famous for smoking kippers. However we breezed through without stopping as we had no time to spare.

Craster Harbour

The weather was fine with sunny periods and a cool wind. The cliff top between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle is a fine walk and the gorse was in full bloom.

It was a relief to get off the coach, stretch our legs and breathe in the fresh sea air. After the castle the path meanders through the sand dunes, past numerous beach houses and golf courses. The 'B' party never made it on to the beach unfortunately but some of the 'C' party did and the following photos were all taken by Sheila.

Kite surfing seemed to be a popular occupation on these beautiful Northumberland beaches and there was certainly plenty of wind.
Back with the 'B' party we had a short stop for a drink in the sand dunes

before making our way to Beadnell with just enough time for an ice cream before boarding the coach to Wooler.

Mary's photos

After settling in at the hostel, dinner was served followed by chat, drinks and nibbles and an interesting flowery quiz provided by Jackie. A good day was had by all.

Sunday 3 May

What a difference a day makes in this country. The forecast was for wind and rain all day and it wasn't wrong! Someone suggested that instead of walking we could go to church and then have a pub lunch, hmmm sounded tempting but we were here to walk so walk we did......well most of us! Does a walk round the Co-op count, he shall not be named!
The 'A' and 'B' parties did circular walks around Wooler up in the hills but I opted for the 'C' walk. We caught the coach to Akeld and climbed steadily up on to the moors as the rain and wind also increased steadily.

 We may have laughed at Margaret as she struggled to put on her cape in the wind but she had the last laugh as she remained dry under her extra layer.

Hot drink stop

The poor camera was suffering a bit by now so no more photos today but you can see what it was like. The drying room was very full later that day! It's a good job rain is good for the complexion.

The 'B' party also had a very wet walk but were lucky to find a church where they took refuge from the rain to eat their lunch and Mary took this photo.

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” 

― Roger Miller

We were back early as we hadn't felt like stopping for lunch for some reason. So plenty of time for hot showers, cups of tea and a late lunch in the hostel before the sun came out! Followed by another relaxing evening and a biscuity quiz this time....thanks Jackie.

Monday 4 May

Our last day in Wooler and the sun was due to shine today thank goodness. We were all packed up and on the coach by 9.30. I had time to take a few photos of the hostel before we left. There were some interesting murals on the walls.

Breakfast

I opted for the 'C' walk again and this was a very pleasant meander through the fields and by the river on a part of St Oswald's Way finishing in Rothbury. St Oswald was the King of Northumbria in the 7th century and played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people. This is a long distance path of 97 miles in total linking some of the places he was associated with.

Lunch in the sun

Fly fishing

English Longhorn cattle

These are some of Mary's photos of the old buildings and animals encountered en route.

Old railway line

All Saints Church Rothbury

 We had plenty of time in Rothbury to visit the food and craft fair and then have a lovely cup of tea and cake in the Elm Tree Coffee Shop which soon filled up with CHA walkers eager to pile on a few calories!

Waiting for the coach

We left Rothbury promptly at 5.30 and arrived back in Bradford just after 9.00 pm. Many thanks to all the walks leaders and organisers who do so much to make our weekends enjoyable. Also thanks to Steve for getting us there and back safely. He seems to have become a 'fan' of the YHA! I also need to thank Ben who very kindly went out of his way to give me a lift back to Harden.

A good time was had by all.