Programme

Wednesday 7^th September

Bat Walk

Ali

Meet at the National Trust car park in Danbury, opposite the Cricketers pub, at 7:30 pm for a short walk which will hopefully include some bats. We’ll have a bat detector with us so you can hear the clicks. The sun sets at 7:30pm, so please remember to bring a torch.

Directions: Take A414 east from Chelmsford, turn right opposite the Bell Inn in Danbury (Well Lane), left at the end, car park is on the left after ¼ mile, just beyond junction with Penny Royal Rd; grid ref: TL779046, see map.

Wednesday 14^th September

Committee Meeting

Planning events for December and trips for next year. Please feel free to join us, we’ll be at The Crown in Sandon.

Sunday 18^th September

Down House, Kent

Doug

Meet at High Elms Country Park, Shire Lane Orpington, BR6 7JH (see map), at 10.30am.

A walk of approximately 8 miles, featuring a visit to Down House, preceded through woodlands, and across fields. We anticipate arriving at the house mid afternoon, in plenty of time to explore the home where Darwin lived for 40 years and produced “Origin of Species”. Its splendid gardens and pleasant tea room and patio are now managed by English Heritage.

For any who wish to omit the visit, return to the start is a short distance, by way of tracks and field paths, and a short piece of road near Downe village. Directions can be provided, visitors to the house returning later.

We plan to have our picnic lunch at the recreation ground in Cudham village, just behind the Blacksmith’s Arms, with its outstanding gardens and excellent ale (and coffee).

Despite its proximity to London and the Dartford Crossing, this is a very rural walk, with fine views, and a specific focus on the home one of the word’s greatest thinkers, and promises to be a great day out as summer draws to a close.

Wednesday 21^st September

Meal Out – The Everest

Dave J

Dave J is having a birthday, so we thought we’d use this as an excuse to try the Nepalese cuisine at The Everest Gurkha Bar & Restaurant in Broomfield Road (CM1 1SN). We’ll aim to get there about 7:30pm. Please let Dave know by 14 September if you want to come, so we can be sure of getting a table booked.

Wednesday 28^th September

French Slide Show

Dave P

The thrills and spills of a week in the south of France. Staying in a hill-top refuge worthy of any Bond villain: we walked, kayaked and motored around the hairpin bends of some of the most spectacular scenery in France.

Friday 30^th September to Sunday 2^nd October

Hagg Farm, Peak District

Mike

Staying at the John Hunt Base which is situated in the courtyard of Hagg Farm Outdoor Education Centre, on the Snake road not far from Bamford, in the Upper Derwent Valley of the Peak District National Park. It offers unparalleled views across the open moors of the Dark Peak. The attractive, self-contained unit accommodates up to 16 people in 2-person to 8-person bunk bedded rooms. The Base provides a lounge, TV/DVD, payphone, showers and toilets, drying room, and fully equipped kitchen.

Walks from the door lead onto the high moors of Kinder and Bleaklow and around Ladybower reservoir. If the weather is good, a few of us might attempt the Edale Skyline challenge walk. This is a classic route of about 22 miles taking in Win Hill Pike, Kinder Scout, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge to Lose Hill.

Deposit £36 to book your bed.

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

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