Grasmere 6-8 October 2017

Friday 6 October

The final weekend of the year took us to Grasmere in the Lake District. Most of the party stayed in the YHA with a few staying in rather expensive B&Bs.

Butharlyp Howe

On the way up there were three walks on offer all finishing at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. I opted for the C walk led by Jayne from Skelworth Bridge about 7 miles. Some of these photos were taken by Jayne.

lunch stop at Colwith Force

Colwith Force

Naughty Girls!

It was a lovely walk and the weather was fine. What more could you ask for. We finished with five minutes to spare and then had to wait an hour for a missing person from the A party that had become separated from the two halves of the party. All was well that ended well but a bit worrying at the time. Always remember to carry a whistle so that you can alert the leader if you get too far behind.
We were a bit late arriving in Grasmere but fortunately the meal wasn't till 7.30 so that wasn't a problem.

Saturday 7 October

The forecast for today was for rain and several people decided not to do the official walks which all finished at Buttermere. The A walk was particularly strenuous with 4000ft of climbing so well done to the four people who completed it, David, Ron, Ben and Kirsten.

I decided to walk with Jean in the Grasmere area and we had a lovely day walking around two lakes and doing touristy things!

Grasmere

It was a bit grey with very light drizzle as we walked around Grasmere and Rydal Water.

Rydal Water

Now for the touristy bit. 

We visited St Mary's Church, Dora's Field and Rydal Hall where the smell of food drew us towards the cafe so we had a nice sit down before visiting the gardens. Rydal Hall is a Christian conference centre and retreat. You can stay there in the Hall or on the campsite in a tent or Yurt. The gardens are free to visit at any time.

Dora was Wordsworth's daughter

Wordsworth used to worship at St Mary's Church but is buried in the village church in Grasmere.

Rydal Hall

The Grot

 The Grot:(a summerhouse designed for viewing a waterfall) became a major attraction for a succession of visiting artists and writers in the 18th and 19th century.

Next stop Dove cottage where Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy and also his wife Mary. Three of their five children were born here.

Dove Cottage

Dove Cottage garden

Next stop Grasmere village, after a walk along the Riverside Walk from the car park I arrived at the Daffodil Garden. Wrong time of year of course but I was rewarded by seeing one of these!

Not this particular one but one like it. It was far too quick to have its picture taken!

River Rothay in Grasmere

Pretty in springtime

It was quite busy in Grasmere with queues of people waiting to buy gingerbread.

Yum, yum

After a wander round the shops it was time to return to the hostel for a cup of tea but not before seeing a beautiful rainbow. I don't think the walkers believed the sun had shone briefly in Grasmere, but here is the proof.

The walkers did get a bit wet but I think eveyrbody enjoyed themselves. Here's a few photos from the B walk taken by Jayne. Braithwaite to Buttermere

Sunday 8 October

All luggage loaded by 9.30, A and B walks set off walking from Grasmere to Patterdale. With a change of plan B walk went by coach to Patterdale and it was a beautiful journey in the sunshine which we all enjoyed. Then a circular walk around Brotherswater led by Frank.

C Party by Sheila

Brotherswater

On the way back into Patterdale Jean and I called at the Wool farm shop which was hidden away near where we had seen goats earlier in the day. What a find that was and very interesting. They have a website and have featured on Countryfile, www.crookabeck.co.uk well worth a look. They breed Herdwick sheep and Angora goats and send all the fleece away to be spun and made into garments. We both treated ourselves to some mohair socks made from the fleece of the goats on the farm.

Connie had got us all excited by the prospect of a farmhouse cream tea but unfortunately it was shut so we had to make do with the pub or the hotel to finish.

These are some of Jayne's photos from the B party that had a really good walk finishing with St Sunday Crag.

The end of another good weekend away with CHA. Thanks to all involved with the organisation especially Jean Galthan and all the walks leaders, not to mention Steve of course who got us there and back without too much grumbling about mud in the coach!

Hartington 10-12 March 2017

Friday 10 March

Here we are again on another weekend away in Derbyshire, this time in the pretty village of Hartington where most of the group stayed at the YHA Hartington Hall a 17th century manor house.

This is a lovely old building with a magnificent fireplace. I'm not sure who took this photo but it shows off the fireplace very well!

However first things first, we had a walk to do ending in Bakewell. Three walks on offer and I opted for the 10 mile B walk led by Gill. The weather was dull and misty and drizzly towards the end of the walk.
It wasn't a good day for photos and most of mine are rubbish!

St Giles, Longstone

Now what have they been up to?!

My photos of Monsal Head did not come out well but if you follow this link you can get an idea of the view. We took a steep path down to the Monsal Trail and walked through the tunnel towards Bakewell. After a little while we turned off the trail on a more interesting path and this is when the drizzle set in.

All three walks finished in Bakewell and of course that means I have to visit Ye Olde Bakewell Pudding shop and cafe.
Jayne and I thought we had plenty of time for a cuppa and Bakewell pudding or tart but unfortunately the service was very slow and we had to rush to get back to the coach on time. Halfway back I realised I had left my camera in the cafe and had to run back for it making me late for the coach, sorry everyone!
The hostel was very busy with a group of young folk preparing for a Duke of Edinburgh award and a group of people, mostly ladies I think, on a Mindfulness course. It took us a while to find our rooms as some of them were in a separate building which also housed the boot room and self catering kitchen. Plenty of room and facilities to suit everyone. The only problem we discovered later was how to get in and out of the wooden bunks as they had  two bars running across the top of the steps where you would normally put your knee. After a few practice sessions and many contortions I worked out how to do it but it wasn't easy and some people resorted to putting their mattress on the floor!

Saturday 11 March

The weather was  better today and it managed to stay dry overhead , but not underfoot, till the end of the walk. All three walks were dropped off near the Tissington Trail and made their way back to Hartington by various routes. I chose the B party 10 miles led by Val.

The A party leader was Brian Humphreys leading his first A walk and here are some of Margaret's photos from this walk.

coffee stop at Ilam Hall

lunch stop at Throwley Old Hall

I think Mr Humphreys is a very popular leader and I don't think they spent all day eating! He did manage to find a lot of mud!

The B walk took the Tissington Trail to begin with and then branched off to visit Milldale at lunch time. 

Milldale in the mist

It was steep going down to Milldale and we all zig-zagged down the hill as Sheila has captured in her photo. It looks as though we are all going in different directions but we did all end up in the same place eventually.

Milldale was a popular spot for lunch especially with the ducks.

Visitor's Bridge and the old mill stone

Upper Dovedale

A very peaceful, managed part of the river

After a while we turned off up Biggin Dale and paddled our way upstream towards Hartington arriving there nice and early before the rain arrived. Time for cups of tea and cake and relaxing with a book.

It was a good day for cake as Frank had made a tea loaf in celebration of his 85th Birthday and after the evening meal he was presented with a birthday cake with candles (not 85 though).

Sunday 12 March

The weather was even better today, the sun shone and we were treated to some splendid views. The only downside to the day was Jean having trouble with a nosebleed and ending up in hospital.

After a slight delay we set off for our last walk of the weekend finishing in Buxton. This time I did the C walk led by Frank who was in good spirits on his 85th birthday

muddy in parts

Both B and C parties had amended the walks to leave out Deepdale that had caused problems last time we visited. This meant that we had our lunch in Horseshoe Dale which was really beautiful and peaceful.

climbing out of Horseshoe Dale

Add caption

Looking towards Deepdale

Spring lambs

Here are some of Margaret's photos of the A walk.

Solomon's Tower

All the walks finished in Buxton and the walkers had plenty of time for refreshments in cafes or the ever popular Wye Bridge House, Wetherspoons of course!

We set off later than originally planned due to our delayed start and made a detour via Macclesfield to pick up Connie and Janet who had kindly given up their day in Buxton to accompany Jean to hospital, As I write this I think she is still in hospital in Wythenshawe while they investigate the cause of the nosebleeds. Get well soon Jean and return to Yorkshire!

Many thanks to all the people involved with the organisation of this trip, the walks leaders and of course Steve the driver who adapted well to the changed circumstances.

I am not on the next weekend away as Margaret and I will be in Cornwall walking the next stage of the SWCP from Landsend to Plymouth. If anyone wants to write some notes and take some photos I can add it to the blog.