Alnwick 5 -7 May 2012

Bank Holiday weekend and another weekend away with the walking club. This time to Alnwick staying in the YHA. This is a new hostel officially opened by the Queen in June 2011 and the chair she sat on is proudly displayed in the hallway. I can now say that I have sat where the Queen has sat!
But first of all a walk from Amble to Alnmouth. Some people went straight to Alnwick to look around the castle or the town

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle Gardens

but the sun was shining so I opted for the walk. A bit chilly at first but it seemed to warm up as the day went on. Stuart led the walk even though he has never been to Northumberland before, well done Stuart and thank you!

Warkworth Castle

We didn't linger long in Amble and soon arrived at Warkworth Castle where we stopped for a lunch break. After lunch it was riverside, sand dunes and coastal path all the way to the River Aln.

Alnmouth

We had a look at the estuary but it was high tide and too deep for a crossing so we had to divert inland a bit before arriving in Alnmouth. The group soon dispersed to the pub or the tea shops

and even to the beach where Anita and I had a paddle in the cold North Sea.....very refreshing!

The coach picked us up in Alnmouth and delivered us to the YHA in Alnwick. Others were staying in various B&Bs. After choosing my bunk and dumping my luggage I collected Stuart and we went off to find Barter Books. This is a famous secondhand book shop situated in the old railway station and a must visit if you are in the area. We only had time for a quick look round but I'm sure I'll be back another day.

Barter Books

                                                                        SUNDAY

Alnwick Castle

Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur)

As I was doing my own meals in the hostel I was able to get out early into Alnwick to take a few photos of the town and the castle before we set off for the coast. A large party went to Holy Island and then had a shorter walk into Craster. I went with the 'A' party to Bamburgh and walked to Craster and a smaller 'B' party walked from Seahouses to Craster. The weather was mostly fine and sunny apart from a few spots of icy rain at lunch time.

Bamburgh Castle

We set off along the magnificent beach at Bamburgh dominated by the huge castle overlooking the sea. The sand was firm and great to walk on and it wasn't very long before Seahouses came into view. A quick stop there for the loo and then we carried on along the beach as far as Beadnell Bay where we stopped for lunch at the lime kilns. We had a little rain there but there was a very convenient shelter!

Lime Kilns at Beadnell

                       

From here we had views of Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance on the headland.

But before reaching there we had a refreshments stop at the Ship Inn at Low Newton where we saw some of the Holy Island party and an ice cream stop just before we approached the castle from the coastal path. Anybody would think we were on our holidays!

There isn't a lot left of Dunstanburgh castle but what there is can be seen for miles in each direction. From there the path continues along a grassy cliff top all the way to Craster. You can often see seals along this stretch but they weren't playing out today. There was plenty of time in Craster for more refreshments but I sat in the sun on the side of the harbour with Carol watching the world go by.......very relaxing.

Craster Harbour

Actually I was saving myself for fish and chips in Alnwick later on with Sandra and Joan!

                                                                     MONDAY
It was Bank Holiday Monday so of course the weather forecast was for rain later in the day but we were very lucky and it managed to hold off until the last hour or so. Three walks and a trip to the National Trust house and gardens at Cragside to choose from. I chose Cragside and I wasn't disappointed. There was plenty to see in the grounds and the house and of course the NT cafe which had lovely cake as usual!

We had quite a steep climb up from Rothbury to reach Cragside and a good view of the Simonside Hills behind us where two of the walks were headed. By the end of the day having climbed up and down many steep paths in the grounds we had certainly done our fair share of walking.

We went round the grounds first on the Armstrong Trail taking in the pumping station and finding out how the water got pumped up to the house and then through the pinetum and up and up to the house built into the side of the cliff.

After a quick lunch I had a look round the house which was very interesting and full of stuff. You could have spent a long time in there. These are just a few of the best bits.

The marble  fireplace above was made with 10 tons of marble and is resting on the rocky cliff side to carry its weight. It was quite busy in the house and the rain had held off so I took some more time to explore the formal gardens and the bird hide before making my way to the tea room to finish off the day in style.

The smell of lemons in the glass house was lovely.

The weekend had passed really quickly and there were so many other things I would have liked to have done but I'm sure I will return soon to this beautiful part of England. Thanks to all the organizers and walks leaders for making this weekend special and thanks to Sheila for some of the photos. We always have a great time whatever the weather but a bit of sunshine and a walk on the beach are the best thing in the world.

Cockermouth 7 - 9 October 2011

We  have usually had good weather on our more recent weekends away but this time the forecast was for heavy rain on both days so it was with some trepidation that I set off on the bus to Bradford to catch the coach at 6.30pm.

I expect you have heard the expression 'I have two left feet' from people who can't dance, but have you heard the expression 'I have two right feet' from people who didn't check their boot bag properly before they set off! Yes that was me. As I was travelling into Bradford I opened my boot bag and thought 'oh dear I've brought one each of two different pairs of boots'. Not a problem I thought they are the same make and look similar so no-one will notice. It wasn't until I arrived in Bradford that I had a sudden thought ' would I have a left and a right boot'. Stuart checked my boots and confirmed to my horror that I'd actually brought two right feet with me.

Hmm, now what to do? I was thinking I wouldn't be able to do any of the walks but I tried the larger of the two boots on my left foot and it felt OK so I gave it a try. More than 20 miles later I can confirm that it is perfectly possible to walk with your boots on the wrong feet.....try it sometime!

Anyway enough of that, back to the holiday details. I was staying in the YHA which as usual was situated down a long dark lane that the coach can't get down. It is an old mill on a bend in the river. A really beautiful spot on a nice day! It is also a self catering hostel so we had to take our own food with us and carry everything down the lane. Fortunately one or two people had torches with them so we all arrived safely and had a quick lesson from the warden in how to gain entrance to the building.

The ladies were occupying the men's dorm as it had 12 beds in it, so the men were all in the ladies' dorm. I don't suppose there was any difference really. It wasn't long before everyone was settled in drinking wine or cups of tea and eating cheese and biscuits and nibbles.

Saturday

As usual some are early risers and some later so there was plenty of room for everyone in the kitchen making porridge and drinks. The coach picked us up further down the lane so we had a pleasant walk through the park. The rest of the party were staying in various B&Bs in the town, some of which looked rather posh.

The forecast was still for heavy rain and the cloud base was low so no-one was heading for the hills today.

There were several variations of walks in Eskdale and I opted for Ray and Jackie's walk from Dalegarth to Ravenglass. Thanks to Ray taking the opportunity for a cup of coffee at the start I managed to see 'Ratty' the narrow gauge steam engine on the turntable at the station.

 The weather was a bit damp now and then but we didn't have any serious rain until the end when we were waiting for the coach. This is the route we should have taken to cross the river! Fortunately Ray found an alternative route.

 We managed to find enough shelter in a small wood to have our lunch.

The tide was out as we reached Ravenglass so the final part of the walk was along the shore with distant views of the sea and a glimmer of sunshine in the far distance. Well perhaps not sunshine but it did look brighter.

Unfortunately the weather deteriorated after that and we had a wet walk down the lane back to the hostel. However it didn't dampen our spirits and we had a friendly evening with everyone cooking and eating together and plenty of plum pie and custard, cheese and biscuits and wine and plum vodka and blackberry gin. Djamel tested our music knowledge with a wide range of music on his ipod and I did my knitting! Every so often someone would disappear to use the shower as there was only one each for males and females. On the face of it this wasn't very good but we all took a turn when it was free and it didn't seem to be a problem.

Sunday

Where are we going today?

The forecast wasn't any better today and it had rained heavily overnight and also the wind had got up so once again nobody took to the hills and the ascent of Skiddaw was off. However it was fine to begin with and wasn't cold so that was a plus point. There was a little confusion on the coach as people decided which walk to do. I decided to do Jackie and Ray's walk around the back of Skiddaw which was described as a wild walk. I don't think Jackie had realised just how wild it would turn out to be as gusts of wind blew us along, fortunately blowing on our backs and not in our faces.

Not long after we had set off the rain started so Ray gave us a demonstration of his plastic bag technique for putting on waterproof trousers.

Hmm, I think he needs a bit more practice and its not very easy in the wind!

We made our way along a wide track and marvelled at all the water pouring down the sides of the mountains. The views would have been splendid on a clear day but once again the cloud base was low so we couldn't see the tops of the peaks. We stopped for a lunch break in the shelter of the wall of the Skiddaw House Hostel, the back of beyond!

On the way down to Keswick we had an exciting stream crossing and a couple of people slipped on the wet grassy areas but other than that all went well and it wasn't long before we arrived in Keswick and had plenty of time for refreshments and shopping before setting off for home.

St Bega's Church and Mirehouse

 A favourite haunt of Melvyn Bragg of South Bank show fame.

Meanwhile the C party, lead by Mike Smith, had done an interesting woodland walk skirting the lower slopes of Skiddaw to the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, the inspiration for Tennyson's 'Lady of the Lake' and a haven for wintering wild fowl. Bassenthwaite Lake is the only lake in the Lake District as I'm sure you all know, the others all being meres, waters, tarns or reservoirs.





Osprey Country

Thanks to Jean Moxon and Sheila Hogg for their photos. It didn't seem to be raining where they were!

In spite of the poor weather everyone seemed to have a good time and we are all looking forward to the next weekend away in Whitby next March.That is booking up very fast, so if you haven't booked yet do it now!

Llanberis weekend 11 -13 March 2011

After a good journey to Wales we arrived in Llanberis at about 10 pm. As usual the YHA was up a long dark lane but at least we didn't have to carry the bags as they were transported in a van. We soon settled in at the hostel and it wasn't long before the cheese and biscuits and wine were being shared in the lounge. I was in a room with 4 others and we were lucky enough to have an ensuite shower and toilet with 2 more showers and toilets directly opposite the room, no shortage of facilities!

After a full English breakfast we made our way down to the town to meet the coach and set off to climb Snowdon. As usual there were a variety of walks on offer, not all involved climbing mountains! I decided on the B walk ascending Snowdon by the Rhyd Ddu path. Eamon the coach driver came with us up the mountain. Unfortunately the weather wasn't at its best so the views were misty lower down and non existent higher up but at least we all made it to the top and then walked down the long track to Llanberis. Eamon of course had to go back to Rhyd Ddu to the coach on his own and thankfully he managed this in good time with no mishaps on the way.
































We were all very pleased to get back down again into the warm and dry. Before returning to the hostel I went to a nearby shop to buy some Welsh honey to take home but had second thoughts when I saw the price, £12.99 a jar...........not for a Yorkshire girl!!

The first people back managed to have a hot shower before the evening meal of lovely home made soup and warm rolls, chicken, roast potatoes and veg, and apple crumble and custard, followed by more wine in the lounge to celebrate Frank's 79th birthday. I'm sure we all wish that we will be as fit as Frank at that age, he's a Starr!!!

Sunday







The weather was much better today although it still felt a bit cold and the mountain tops were covered in snow. I decided to do the B walk again, no mountains this time, a path from near to Llyn Ogwen down to Capel Curig then along the valley to Betws y Coed. Looking back we could see the snow topped mountains as we stopped for lunch.



















We stopped again for a sit down and a tea break in the grounds of the Ugly House now a National Trust property.


The rest of the walk took us beside the river, which was quite tricky as flooding had exposed many of the tree roots, and then through the woods to Swallow Falls and the Miner's Bridge before arriving in Betws y Coed about 4.00 pm with plenty of time for tea and buns before leaving for home at 6.00 pm prompt.

I can highly recommend the Alpine Coffe Shop near the railway station for its splendid choice of teas and coffees from around the world and delicious scones, cakes and muffins. One to remember for the next visit!

We arrived back in Bradford about 9.20 pm. Many thanks to all the organisers and walks leaders for another successful and very enjoyable trip. The group in the hostel seems to be increasing in numbers with every trip and there is always someone to talk to.

Thanks also to Eamon for getting us there and back safely and joining in with the walks. I'm sure he'll be saying we have to do circular walks in future so he can do them too!!

The next weekend away is In Kirk Yetholm at the end of April and this will be a very special one as we complete the Pennine Way. What next??