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Walks reviewed
Trefriw & Creigiau Gleision - 6 June 2004
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Six of us did this splendid twelve-mile walk, led by Terry Hannigan, on June the 6th.
It was challenging, exciting (a little more than Terry had planned!) and satisfying. We set off from
Trefriw at twenty past ten and two and a half hours later we were still going up! We left in bright,
warm sunshine but as we headed towards our 2100 ft summit a cold mist began to swirl around us. The
cold mist became a cold, wet mist and the wind got up to give it an added chill! Terry kept pointing
through the gloom to tell us what magnificent views we should have been seeing. We caught a glimpse
of a lake and a mountain before the mist became even denser. We stopped at the summit of Creigiau
Gleision for a quick lunch – encased in wet weather jackets with hoods up! We then took a switchback
path as part of our descent and here the route became less obvious as the mist became more obvious.
Thankfully Terry had a GPS, because although he had recce’d the walk three times (what a hero!) the
terrain no longer looked familiar to him. The GPS kept us on the right track and as we dropped down
towards the lake, Lyn Crafnant, the mist began to clear and we got one of the superb views we had been
promised. Jackets and jumpers went back into our packs as we approached the lakeside tea shop. Here,
almost seven hours after we started out, Terry treated us to mugs of tea and slices of barra brith.
Champagne and caviar couldn't have tasted better. There was some good-natured discussion over the
walk's classification of M. We agreed that M/H might be more appropriate. Later, in the car park
as we prepared for home, we urged Terry to lead the walk again. He promised he would. Watch out for it!
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Kettleshulme - 26 June 2004
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This was Jim Eckersley's debut as a walk leader. It was June 26th and when he was planning this
nine-miles-plus walk he must have thought there was a good chance of decent weather. Oh how wrong
can you be! Five of us set out from Lamaload in a light drizzle. We made our way via quiet roads and
meadows to Kettleshulme, and the weather improved – for a while. As we crossed more meadows the rain
came on and we met an old farmer with his sheepdog and stopped for a chat. He told us that his mother
always said if it rained before 8 am on Quarter Day, which it had, summer was b*****ed. And it seemed
she was right! But we had Windgather Rocks in our sight and that was our lunch stop, so on we went
quite cheerfully. We ate in the lee of the rocks and dried off a little. Then, in driving rain and
increasingly strong winds, we walked the ridge which includes Cat's Tor and Shining Tor. The two women
members of the group could hardly stand upright at the top of Shining Tor, but we all felt exhilarated.
Thankfully we did the descent with the wind and rain behind us, and it became fine and the sun was even
trying to shine as we met the road. We agreed that we would have felt unlucky to get such a soaking in
the middle of winter and this was the middle of summer. But the walk was a triumph Jim!
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Castleton & Mam Tor - 7 August 2004
Seven of us set off from Crewe at 8-30, picking Jim up on route at Haslington, and after an uneventful
journey arrived at the Bulls Head car park in Castleton. This at £2 per day is much cheaper than the
£5 at the main car park.
Into walking gear, mainly shorts because of the hot day, we started the steady climb of Cave Dale which
is part of the Limestone Way, pausing briefly at the information board, ventilation shafts for Peak Cavern
and regularly looking upwards at Peveril Castle.
A well earned stop for coffee in a grassy field when we had finished climbing brought out the normal
banter.This focussed mainly on the Gritstone Weekend and the effects of sunflower seeds as an aid to
both stamina for walking and libido.
As is often the case with a small group we made pretty good time with each of us leading at various times,
reaching the summit of Mam Tor at noon.
This was crowded as usual so after a brief stop we started the ridge walk to Lose Pike Hill.
Some guides say this is the finest ridge walk in the Peak with the Hope Valley on one side and Edale
the other. Eight very happy walkers will totally concur, having the benefit of warm sunshine, a breeze
and clear skies, so we had wonderful panoramic views.
When we stopped for lunch after scrambling up Back Tor, which at 1400 feet was not the highest but
certainly the most challenging climb of the day, we could see the surrounding hills and a succession of
trains on the Manchester - Sheffield line.
A short climb then to Lose Hill Pike where we again admired the view from the vantage point where many
well known landmarks were visible. We descended back to Castleton, arriving at 14-30.
Just on the outskirts of the town we saw a new born calf still wet and glistening in the sun which made
me reflect on the poor way in general we treat domesticated animals but the beef cattle raised in these
hills probably live a better life than most.
After a quick change of boots we had a short interlude in the Bulls Head to put back some of the liquid
that nature had taken out.
Ray and I reflected on the journey back that we had been very lucky in that the days for the recce and
walk had been glorious in what had been a very disappointing few weeks.
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Gritstone Trail Weekend - 4-5 September 2004
It was with a mixture of awe and anticipation that 12 of us set out early Saturday morning, the only
problem being that the leader had forgotten where Alan and Jenny lived.
A start from Disley Station was followed by a brisk rather light-headed walk through Lyme Park and Sponds
Hill when the party went in 2 directions on the approach to White Nancy, fortunately re-grouping quickly.
The magnificent views on the first day were enjoyed by all in excellent walking weather through Teggs Nose
Park and Langley, the real challenge of the day being the climb to Crocker Hill at the finish which appeared
to stretch into infinity with mud underfoot.
After a dinner and a restful night at the Bullshead Congleton in spite of the late night disco, walkers
reported for the second leg which took us over the Cloud, Mow Cop to finish at Kidsgrove Station at around 18-00.
The weather on the Sunday was superb, the spirit and support we gave each other was uplifting. As we enjoyed a
welcome drink at the end I thought "Where else so close to home could you have such a great adventure with
such wonderful people and spend less than £ 100 in a weekend?"
If anyone hasn’t walked the Gritstone Trail yet you don’t know what you are missing, you don’t have
to do the lot in a weekend!
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Prees to Yorton - 16 April 2005
It was planned in the last programme to walk from Church Stretton to Craven Arms taking the 8:49 train
from Nantwich. Unfortunately because of changes to train timings the train didn’t reach Church Stretton till
11:00 so walk leader Paul Stone changed the route to Prees Station through Wem to Yorton, which is the next
station down following the Marches Way.
Paul with Terry Burton recceed the walk in March taking the train from Nantwich at 8:49 booking a
return to Yorton and were slightly bemused when the train only slowed when approaching Prees and deposited them
at Wem. Yes you’ve guessed it - Prees is request stop only. As they could only cover the second half of the route that day Paul had to walk the stretch from Prees to Wem a few weeks later.
On the day of the walk it was rather cool, cloudy and overcast with ten walkers boarding the train.
The first pleasant surprise of the day was that we could book a party ticket which gave a return fare to Yorton
of £3.30 each. Setting off at a reasonable pace the original plan was for a leisurely walk with an hour in Wem
to catch the 16:05 train back from Yorton.
Great progress was made with Wem reached by 11:30 and following a team talk it was decided to push on
and try to catch the 14:05 train. After leaving Wem we had an exhilarating walk through the rolling fields of
North Shropshire pausing for lunch near the village of Clive.
The highlight of the day was the testing climb to the top of Grinshill Wood which although only 200m
gives panoramic views of the Long Mynd, Berwyns, Peckforton Hills, the Wrekin with Jodrell Bank visible on a
clear day.
A walk back into Clive to re-unite with the three who hadn’t climbed the hill, we had a 15 minute walk
to Yorton Station arriving with five minutes to spare. The train was on time and we arrived back in Nantwich
at 14:30 to a lovely warm sunny afternoon. All’s well that ends well - I couldn’t have put it better myself!
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Elan Valley Weekend - 7-9 October 2005
Mid-Wales put on a display of its weather varieties when 25 of us went away for a weekend in Elan Valley.
It was dry but overcast for our arrival on Friday October 7th; we got soaked in torrential rain on
Saturday, and Sunday was bright, sunny and quite warm. We stayed at Elan Valley Lodge – a former village
school which now operates as a corporate team-building centre during the week and as a base for outdoor
enthusiasts at weekends. We were fed wholesome tasty food and had the benefit of a kitchen for all-day
(and night!) tea and coffee making. An honesty bar was available for those who hadn’t taken their own tipple.
We also had the services of Carl – a local, voluntary guide who came to chat to us on Friday evening about
this stunning area of rivers, reservoirs and dams, hills and woodlands and a thriving population of red kites.
We met him again on Saturday morning to do either the long walk (12 miles) or the shorter one
(about 8 miles.) Those who chose the latter left the main group after about three hours and did the last
stretch of their walk without Carl but with his instructions and a map. The rest ploughed on in the rain
(in merry mood, considering the weather) and learned much about the different reservoirs and designs of the
dams, built to provide Birmingham’s water supply. (The system is gravity driven – it takes two days for
water to reach the city!)
Elan Valley Lodge is in a remote setting where there is no television reception so Saturday
evening’s entertainment was a quiz – devised and presented by Molly Stone – and "community" singing led
by the weekend’s organiser and group chairman, Paul Stone. (Don’t give up the day job, Paul).
Carl turned up again on Sunday to lead us on an eight mile walk in scenery which was looking at its
autumn best and during which several red kites swirled overhead. We went our separate ways after a picnic
lunch and the presentation of a bottle of malt whisky to our congenial guide.
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Malvern Weekend - 27-28 May 2006
Friday 27th May was a glorious early summer afternoon and with tolerable traffic levels we had a
wonderful view of the black outline of the Malvern Hills silhouetted against a blue sky on the approach from
Worcester.
After a very convivial evening at dinner with the rest of the 26 ramblers we looked forward to the
9 mile traverse of the hills and the view from the Worcestershire Beacon on Saturday.
The weather forecast for the weekend was mixed but unfortunately from our point of view they were spot on for
the Saturday with the rain starting before we had our boots on and visibility very poor. The only thing I will
say is we weren’t the only fools on the hills that day and frequently ran into other rain soaked parties.
Saturday evening was quite a little gem with an excellent dinner, a quiz devised by Margaret and
David on what we would see on the Sunday walk (still don’t see the logic, but it was great fun) and a
resident pianist who took us to his heart playing requests ranging from Granada, to the Entertainer and
appropriately the Happy Wanderer.
The walk on Sunday was a pleasant 7 mile stroll from Swan Upton in lovely walking weather culminating
in a drink in the Swan pub. Most people stayed for a 3rd evening and departed after breakfast on the Monday.
Thanks to David, Margaret, Terry and Shirley for the organisation and to the Abbey Hotel for looking
after us so well.
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Snowden Sunrise - 17 June 2006
What Sunrise? 13 (hello!) of us left Acton at 23:00 with a very favourable weather forecast. As we
approached Snowdon we were aware that the weather was clouding over and as we left Pen-y-pass car park at
00:15 with our numbers now 16 we walked into gusty winds and a dark moonless, starless sky.
The majority of the party had torches which were used to good effect and spirits were high as we
stopped at Glaslyn Lake for a drink and snack before heading "up". Unfortunately 500 feet before
we reached the summit we entered low cloud and it was a cold and wet group that reached the summit at 04:00.
After a short break for food we realised our luck was out and we wouldn’t see the sunrise and so left the
summit at 4:30, emerging from the cloud to excellent views on a still cloudy day.
The route down the Pyg track was hard on the feet but we arrived safely back at the car park at 7:15.
After a short drive to Llanberris we had one of the famous fry ups at Pete's Eats, all the party saying the
trip had been very worthwhile.
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Yorkshire Dales Walking Weekend - 22-24 September 2006
13 Members spent the weekend of 22-24 September in the Yorkshire Dales. We returned, after a gap of two
years, to the Grassington House Hotel which stands alongside the village Square in the centre of this
gorgeous dales village – I don’t think it qualifies as a town.
The party enjoyed a full day of walking a section of the Dales Way on the Saturday in some good
walking weather, although the wind tended to ‘bite’ when we were walking in the shade. (under the clouds
really). Evening drinks on the terrace in warm, bright sunshine could not have been bettered on Mediterranean shores.
Sunday morning’s walk took us alongside the river Wharfe from Grassington to Burnsall, another
picturesque dales village and tourist honey-pot, although somewhat quiet in the gently persistent rain. The
party returned to Grassington via Thorpe and Linton. The return leg was, thankfully, completed in dry and
‘drying out’ conditions. Good company along with good food and good service from the hotel sums up the
weekend.
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Willaston - 14 January 2007
The 4 mile walk from Willaston, which followed roads and field paths over Beam Heath to Nantwich and
back, was very well supported with 33 walkers of all ages. The day was exceptionally bright for January with
sunshine and a pleasant breeze that made up for the wind and rain of the previous night.
In recceeing the original route planned on the Friday, Paul Stone the walk leader found the paths to Wistaston
very muddy and so planning for a large party changed to a walk on the opposite side of the A500.
Not much to say about the day other than that everyone appeared to enjoy the walk and fresh air, there were
several new walkers whom we hope to see again and the ineveitable comment “We didn’t realise we lived so
close to such good footpaths”.
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Elan Valley: The Sequel - 5-6 May 2007
Eighteen months after the group’s first visit to Elan Valley Lodge at Rhayader in mid Wales, a return
was arranged in early May so that we could see the reservoirs when they were full and with water cascading
over the magnificent dams. Except they weren’t and it wasn’t - when we arrived, Wales had just experienced
its driest April since 1984!
It was the only hitch in an otherwise excellent bank holiday stay organised by Paul Stone. Twenty
of us made up the party, with most staying for two nights and some for three.
Once again, local guide Carl took us on two splendid walks. On Saurday he led some of us on a high
level 12 miles in brilliant sunshine with excellent views over the Cambrian Mountains. A small group took
themselves off on a shorter walk with which they declared themselves well pleased. On Sunday, when it was
breezy, cooler and briefly showery we did an eight mile circuit taking in the largest of the reservoirs and
the most modern of the dams, the Claerwen – completed in 1952. Unlike its Victorian counterparts, it is
built of concrete and only faced with stone. We saw red kites on both walks, but not as many as on our last
visit.
A second guide, Carol, came along to "recce" Saturday’s longer walk. She and Carl are
members of The Long Distance Walkers Association and they’ve both done the 45-mile "Across Wales Walk", from
Anchor on the Shropshire border to Clarach near Aberystwyth, which has an 18 hour time limit. Carol assured
us – as we stopped for our third break of the day – that she didn’t think we were a bunch of soft sissies!
The Elan Valley Lodge is a place with no televisions and where there are no mobile phone signals,
and all the better for it. There was general agreement that the food this year was even better than before
and it was so plentiful that we probably all took on more calories than we shed on the walks.
There was also general agreement that the Saturday quiz organised by Molly Stone was jolly good
fun. It was especially highly rated by the two youngsters who were part of this year’s group and who both
put in a good performance on Sunday’s walk.
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Marsden and Wessenden Valley - 17 June 2007
The weather forecast for the few days before the walk had been poor but with sunny intervals for the
actual day. Driving over Standedge to Marsden however showed the worst of Pennine weather comprising low
cloud, driving rain and low temperatures.
When we assembled to leave at 10:30 walk leader Paul Stone decided to reverse the direction of the
walk so that we walked Standedge later in the afternoon rather than in the morning. The party of 14 made
good progress through the small town of Marsden climbing the Wessenden valley past reservoirs built in the
1930s to supply Huddersfield to join the Pennine Way.
The weather by this time was definitely improving and we had lunch at a sheltered spot just after
crossing the A62 road. There then followed an excellent walk over Standedge edge with great views of
Saddleworth and a return to Marsden by the old Pack Horse trail. We called briefly at Tunnel End which is
on the restored Huddersfield Canal and is at the end on the longest canal tunnel in the UK.
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Heart of Cheshire Challenge - 17 September 2007
The day finally arrived and after a newspaper campaign and poster distribution, we had 38 people ready
to set off at 10.00. The weather forecast for the day was sunny spells with rain expected late afternoon
so there was every incentive to be back in good time.
The walk went really well for such a diverse group with very differing fitness levels and
experience. At the first stop, where we were welcomed by the Kingswood Home to use their facilities, we
ironed out minor problems such as walkers with no lunch, Matthew our backup driver going shopping.
We reached Beacon Hill in around 3 hours after enjoying excellent views of the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool.
A walk across Frodsham Golf course and a scramble up the sandstone escarpment brought a welcome
break for lunch and the most interesting part of the walk, indeed one of the best in Cheshire.
The second half was slightly more difficult in that the group rapidly became separated, needing
quite a lot of stops, but Manley Common was reached where we spilt into two, with a slower group reaching
the car park about 30 minutes after the first home.
As predicted, the rain came and the heavens opened just before the second group arrived back but
this couldn’t dampen the spirits of everyone who had a wonderful day out and also raised awareness and
money for a very worthy cause.
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Lakes Weekend - May 2008
Over the bank holiday sixteen ramblers risked my organisational and walk-leading skills for a stay at
Monk Coniston Hall. Sixteen ramblers duly returned, so I managed not to lose anybody on the Coniston
Fells. In fact, I was quite proud of my unerring navigation! Our accommodation was a grand house complete
ith chandeliers, a minstrels’ gallery (nobody sung however), plush armchairs, a high standard of food and
superb views down Coniston Water from the grounds. A Lakes-themed quiz was laid on for Saturday night,
though certain parties have requested that the results not be publicised.
Doing the reconnaissance for the major walk had proved interesting, as I did the length of the
Old Man to Swirl How ridge, compass in hand, in thick cloud. Fortunately, by the time Saturday came, the
weather had cleared and we were able to do the 9-mile walk in clear visibility. We took in 5 Wainwright
tops, climbing to the Old Man of Coniston and then walking the ridge to Brim Fell and onto Swirl How.
We then had a diversion to Grey Friar and Great Carrs before returning to Swirl How. Views were superb
taking in the whole expanse of the Lake District, Scafell and Scafell Pike looking impressive a little
to the west, while Skiddaw could be seen well to the north and Kentmere to the east. We proceeded down
the mountain from Swirl How. Suggestions by our chairman that we continue up another steep slope to
Wetherlam were enthusiastically rejected. Instead we continued down the mountain and back to the cars,
having had a super walk.
On Sunday, an easier walk of about 7 miles was arranged to Holme Fell, one of those little tops
( 1040 feet compared to the Old Man’s 2633) which provides superb views of the surrounding bigger mountains
and, especially, beautiful views along Coniston Water. Four intrepid souls did a further walk to the top of
Dow Crag on Monday, where they could admire the views and the climbers coming up the hard way.
There was general agreement that the food and accommodation at Monk Coniston, which is run by
HF Holidays, had been excellent and also good value, an ideal venue for a walking group holiday. They even
managed to enhance the historical charm by providing a power cut which necessitated a spooky, candle-lit
end to Sunday night. Disappointingly, not a single ghost story was forthcoming from the group!
Requests for another break in the Lakes by the end of the weekend were an indication of how much
people had enjoyed the hall, the walks and the overall area. Some comments were:
&qout;Frank certainly ‘peaked’ on this short break… Eventually."
"Fantastic weekend! Recovering well."
"You’ll make a proper walker of me yet!"
"Wonderful experience. Couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for the surprises, even if I couldn’t
quite make them all. Next time?"
"A perfect venue in a beautiful area. You’ve set quite a precedent!"
Frank Jones
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Mortimer Trail Weekend - October 2008
The Mortimer Trail runs from Ludlow in Shropshire to Kington in Herefordshire and is 30 miles long.
It takes its name from the Mortimer family who dominated the area in the mediaeval period. It goes up hill
and down dale through some of the most stunningly beautiful English border countryside and crosses the
rivers Teme, Lugg and Arrow. From its highest points there are 360 degree views to the Cotswolds, the
Malverns, the Shropshire hills and the mountains of Wales.
On the weekend of October 10 –12th a group of us met up in Leominster to tackle the Trail/bits of
it and an alternative walk. The maestro (Paul Stone) had arranged accommodation at the Talbot Hotel and
what an excellent choice it turned out to be. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, the staff were most
obliging and the food was simply delicious – particularly the Herefordshire steak. The hotel chef clearly
takes pride in the quality of the food leaving the kitchen.
Saturday dawned fine, dry and overcast. After a quick ‘sandwich run’ five of us set out to do the
first part of the trail – we’d been told (by the maestro) that it was to be a 19 mile expedition but
at the end of the day he admitted that it had in fact been 20 miles. We began walking in Ludlow at 9.15am
and we completed the 20 miles at Byton around 5.45pm where we were kindly picked up by Molly Stone and
Peter Callery and driven back to the hotel. We’d had several short breaks during the day, we donned wet
weather jackets briefly in the afternoon and at the 15 mile stage we were reduced to four when one of our
party arranged transport back to the hotel (he had set out with this intention.) The rest of our weekend
group, along with a couple of visitors, did a circular walk of about 7 miles. The two groups met up again
over dinner which was a boisterous and jolly affair as stories from the day’s outings were exchanged.
On Sunday all but two of us drove to the end point at Kington and then returned by taxis
(arranged by Paul) to Byton where we set off up a rather sharp incline on the rest of the Trail. It was a
misty start but by late morning the sun had broken through and we enjoyed a glorious day for this less
arduous stretch. We were all in reasonable shape at the end of it all and four of us could log another
long distance walk completed. Some had wondered why it had been decided to break the Trail into a 20 mile
and 10 mile section but it meant Day Two was more attractive to a larger number of people than it might
have been if the split had been 15 miles each day.
It was fun, hard work and satisfying and everything was made easier by the excellent organisation
(thanks Paul) and the Talbot Hotel.
Carole Bentley
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