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??

Sunday

The forecast today was for the possibility of rain so we all awoke expecting grey clouds. There were a few, but patches of blue sky here and there looked promising.

Yesterday I did mountains and so today I decided to do lakes and I make no excuses for doing the 'C' walk around Derwentwater. The reflections in the water and the backdrop of mountains on every side of the lake made splendid viewing. Some of these photos are mine and some are Peter's.

We had sunshine for our coffee stop and for the lunch stop and there was even time for a quick paddle. Then another stop at Nichol End for a cup of tea or an ice cream before making our way back to Keswick for last minute shopping or a walk in the park before setting off to pick up the 'A' walkers at New Dungeon Ghyll.

A very enjoyable weekend and many thanks to all the volunteer organisers and walks leaders without whom all this would not be possible. Next March we are going to Llanberis, see you all there!

Keswick Weekend 15th - 17th October

We are so lucky with the weather on our CHA holidays and this weekend in Keswick was no exception. It was cold but dry with warm sunny periods, the only exception to this was for the people on the Sunday A party who had a little rain towards the end of their walk.

Once again I stayed in the youth hostel which is situated right next to the river and overlooking the park.

Keswick YHA is a popular busy hostel but there is plenty of room to make yourself comfortable with a quiet reading room and a communal lounge with riverside balcony.

The breakfasts were excellent and the evening meal on Saturday was very good value for money.

There was a bewildering choice of walks arranged for the first day with everyone catered for from the fittest 'A' walkers to the not quite as fit 'C' walkers. Poor William got off to a bad start when he missed his footing getting out of the coach and badly grazed his head. However he pronounced himself fit after being bandaged up and off we set for Buttermere. 'Not my favourite place to drive to' said William and we soon saw why when he had to reverse a considerable distance on the narrow road and then did a 10 point turn in the car park! Poor William, not his day, but he remained cheerful throughout with true CHA spirit.

I chose the 'B' walk to Ard Crags then back to Keswick via the Newlands Valley. It was a splendid walk led jointly by Jean and Keith. A steep climb up and a steep descent but a fine ridge walk with mountain ranges on both sides of us.

A smaller party of 'B+' walkers tackled Skiddaw led by Stuart Blaylock, and Peter Newby has supplied some photos taken on this walk.

Everyone had a great day and the colours of the fells and the trees in the autumn sunshine were wonderful.

Susan and Sandra joined the youth hostel party for the evening meal and then we took over the lounge and with the help of a few bottles of wine and some amusing games led by Jackie and Jean, a pleasant evening was had by all.

Coniston weekend 13-15 March 2009

A slightly smaller group than usual set off for Coniston on the new 35 seater bus. There were mixed feelings about the bus ride but as usual William got us there and back safely and without any problems.





I stayed in the 3 star YHA hostel, Holly How and I have to say it was the cleanest hostel I'd ever been in and the food was exceptional. We were even served at the table and had candles and flowers on Saturday evening. There was a good selection of reasonably priced wine on sale and draught beer so most of us stayed in the hostel after the meal chatting around the fire in the lounge. It was interesting because a large party of Nottingham University students arrived for the weekend complete with dinner suits and evening dresses as they were having their annual dinner in the town. They were very friendly and it was great to see a group of young people enjoying the countryside in the same way as we do. You hear so much doom and gloom these days about the youth of today but it really lifted the spirits to see this group enjoying themselves.

The following photos of the happy group in the Youth Hostel were supplied by Sheila Hogg.


After a good breakfast on Saturday we set off to New Dungeon Ghyll where some of the 'A' walkers made for the hills while I joined the 'B' walk for a more leisurely walk along the Cumbria Way back to Coniston via Elterwater and Tarn Hows led by Rita. The weather was fine but there was a gusty wind and the 'A' walkers didn't manage to achieve all their goals as the wind was too strong. The 'B' walk was very good and we had splendid views of the mountains, some with patches of snow still on them. I'll let the photos tell the tale.

We arrived back in Coniston with just enough time for a well earned cup of tea and a look at Ruskin's grave in the churchyard before making our way back to the hostel for a shower and a relaxing evening.

Sunday morning was sunny but the clouds were obscuring the tops of the mountains. We loaded our luggage on to the coach and there was time for a few photos of the hostel surroundings before setting off from Coniston on the 'B' walk to Broughton in Furness via Walna Scar led by Jackie Wilkes. A small group of 5 on this walk and we climbed much higher than the previous day but managed to stay just below the cloud level. A very varied walk with mountain, valley and distant sea views. A bit boggy in places but Jackie showed us how not to cross a boggy stream for which we were very grateful! Once again the photos tell there own story but not so many of them this time as the conditions were not as clear.

We finished the walk with plenty of time for tea and crumpets before William arrived with the coach to take us all home.

Once again a splendid weekend with a hint of spring to lift our spirits, with excellent walks and with good companions. Many thanks to Jackie Hotchen for organising it and all the leaders for volunteering to lead walks. The next weekend in October will be part of the Pennine Way project but before that we have a week in Torquay to look forward to in May.

See you all there!