Programme

Wednesday 2^nd August

Evening Walk – The Rodney

Ali

Meet at The Rodney PH in Little Baddow (CM3 4TQ) at 7:30pm for a short walk of about 3 miles followed by a drink in the pub. It can get quite dark in the woods, so please bring a torch, just in case.

Friday 4^th to Sunday 6^th August

Castle Acre, Norfolk

Jim

Join us for a weekend cycling and walking in Norfolk. We are staying in the The Old Red Lion hostel, a 17th Century former pub in the Norman walled village of Castle Acre near Swaffham. In the village are the remains of a castle and a priory. Nearby is the moated manor house Oxburgh Hall, and the coast is about 20 miles away. There are a couple of twin rooms available if we book them early.

Castle Acre is 3¼ miles north of Swaffham. The Old Red Lion, a former pub, is on the left 75 yards down Bailey Street (go under Norman Arch in village centre, grid ref TF818151, see map). The price includes wholefood vegetarian breakfast, and all bedding and linen are provided.

Deposit of £42 will book a dorm bed, or £50 per person in a twin room

Wednesday 9^th August

Evening Bike Ride - Writtle

Jim

Meet at the Duck PH at Newney Green, just outside Writtle, at 7:30pm for a short bike ride of about 10-15 miles. Drinks in the pub afterwards. Please bring your lights.

To get there, leave Chelmsford on Writtle Rd., pass Writtle Green, turn left (Ongar Rd.) bear right into Victoria Rd, pass Queen Vic pub, and follow the lane for about a mile to Newney Green (Grid ref. TL651070, postcode CM1 3SF, see map)

Sunday 13^th August

Canal Walk

Dave P

Our annual 14 mile hike down the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. Meet in Maldon, catch the bus to Chelmsford, and then walk back. Parking off the High Street in White Horse Lane (CM9 5QP) is free on Sundays. Our bus stop is just outside the White Horse pub and the bus leaves at 9:38am, arriving in Chelmsford 10:11am.

Bring sandwiches for your lunch, and we’ll stop for afternoon tea at Paper Mill Lock.

Wednesday 16^th August

Committee Meeting

Planning events for November and trips for late spring. Please feel free to join us. We’ll be at The Crown in Sandon.

Sunday 20^th August

Jim’s Birthday Barbecue

Jim

The annual celebration of all things meaty (and Jim, of course) is always a highlight of our summer programme. The fun starts at 2pm in Jim's garden. Please bring meaty items, salads, drinks and Jim will have the barbecue fired up. If you have a spare seat, bring that too.

Wednesday 23^rd August

Evening Meal – The Everest

Dave J

Meet at the The Everest Gurkha Bar & Restaurant in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford CM1 1SN, at 7:30pm for a taste of the exotic. This restaurant proved very popular last time we visited, so please let Dave know by 16 Aug if you want to come – so we can book a big table together.

Friday 25^th to Monday 28^th August

Brecon Beacons

Dave P

Spend the Bank Holiday weekend in the Brecon Beacons, staying at Penstar Bunkhouse, a converted barn on a working farm providing access directly to the Brecon Beacons.

The bunkhouse is right below the central Beacons. Only about 3 miles to walk to summits of Corn Du and Pen y Fan, or 3 miles walk into Brecon on the Taff Trail, a recently established long distance walk route. It's probably half an hour walk to a pub at Libanus. And there's plenty of scope if anyone fancies a challenge walk of 20+ miles taking in all the central Beacons.

Mattress, pillow & pillowcase are supplied; you need to bring a sleeping bag. Grid ref SO 008 254.

Deposit £39 to book your bed please

Wednesday 30^th August

Slide show – Australia & New Zealand

Doug

Trekking New Zealand's trails including the dramatic Tongariro  Crossing, wandering through amazing thermal landscapes, exploring Australia's intimidating Red Centre, and coming within touching distance of humpbacked whales, are just a few of the experiences recalled by Doug from travels in this fascinating part of the world.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford

Next Month...