More than twenty of us sampled the delights of the Peak District on this year's New Year trip and we were very lucky with the weather (honest). OK, I'll admit it was quite muddy...well, maybe it was very muddy - but only if you go rolling around in it like Debbie and Phil (no scandal please, they were caving). Lynn succeeded in wearing out a succession of male admirers on long walks (Neil, Dave J, Trevor and Phil all fell by the wayside) and still had enough energy for aerobics with Debbie!
Trevor started the week by brutally insulting the warden with a "cheeky remark", but luckily she seemed to think the rest of us were OK and has let us re-book the centre for the Millennium. We thought it wisest not to ask if Trevor was allowed to come.
We had loads of brilliant walks, especially in the first half of the week. Monday saw a bunch of us walk from the centre up Win Hill and along Ladybower Reservoir. It was foggy at the very top due to low cloud, but below the views were wonderful. After a particularly traumatic descent, Trudi, Trevor and Gary chose to part from us and take a so-called "short cut". When they finished they hid in the shadows so that Dave would drive past and not see them!
Tuesday's walk was also gorgeous. We walked in a figure of eight round Hathersage for just over 8 miles - this due to the fact that our stepping stones had become wading stones and we had to go round. The afternoon part in the valley under Stannage Edge was particularly beautiful and our tea and cake at the end of the day well deserved.
The best day of all was New Year's Eve when the day broke with crystal clearness and stayed nice (if cold) all day. The majority of us did the circuit from Castleton to Mam Tor, Hollins Cross, Back Tor, Lose Hill and back which gave us truly spectacular views over Hope and Edale valleys. At the summit of Mam Tor we met up with Helen and Trudi and all toasted the New Year to come with Ginger Wine courtesy of Ian (he can come again!).
For the evening meal that night we resurrected the Christmas turkey which provided us all with party fuel for the night ahead. We started with party games and much fun was had (mainly by the girls, who kept winning). Helen provided the "button game" which gave us the shock revelation that Phil and Gary think houses are built of lint and lentils! The building game "Jenga" was abandoned soon after the dancing started and the whole room began to vibrate, culminating in the troupe of circus elephants that were stomping to "Leader of the Pack". Much of the rest of the evening was a blur, which is probably just as well, judging by the parts I do remember (Debbie acting out the Bible with balloons?!)
New Year's Day and some of our group were caught by Radio Sheffield whilst out walking. The reporter complained: "What is it about walkers, they're like London buses - you can wait ages for one and then 6 come all at once!" He was anxious to know what drove our party from their beds on New Year's Day, so Jane enlightened him with her New Year Hangover cure: get up early, have a big fried breakfast and go for a walk! Perhaps we should make this the club motto?
There's loads more to tell, but perhaps the least said about Chris H's behaviour in the Bakewell Pudding Parlour, the better - and as for Janet and the squirty cream.............!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
On Saturday 10th January a group of YHA people and friends gathered at Raleigh Indoor Karting. After suiting up in protective clothing (which if no one else noticed had a label on them certifying that they were fire proof) and helmets there was a practice run followed by the competitive heats. The first thing that I thought on the practise run is what I ask, am I doing driving round an indoor stadium in a go-kart whose ground clearance can only be measured in millimetres, being powered by a lawn mower engine on steroids, being nuts could be the answer.
It was surprising the amount of physical effort needed to control the kart and I can reliably inform you that this is not a sport for people who wear glasses, fogging of your specs seriously damages your ability to steer in a straight line and I speak from experience.
Once the heats started it was obvious who had done this sort of thing before, they were the people who were passing me with great ease. On one occasion I was a bit put out by being pushed into a wall and loosing a decent place although I managed to find the wall enough times on my own!
It is supposed to a non contact sport but you could have fooled me.
Of the people from the YHA Group Steve Huggett easily beat the rest of us by many points although not high enough for a trophy.
Many thanks to David Julian for arranging this event.
The Secreatary, Lorna, has brochures and information on the following:
Outdoor pursuits Centres - instruction for rock climbing, mountain navigation, canoeing, sailing, etc
Locally; Harlow Outdoor Pursuits centre, 01279 432031 / 418288 Bradwell Sailing centre, 016321 76256
The original and best; Outward Bound. Central office 01753 731005. Centres in the Lakes, at Aberdovey in Wales, and near Fort William in Scotland.
YMCA centre, Lakeside, Windermere, 015395 31758
National Moutain Centre, Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig, Wales, 01690 720214
Mountaineering specialists:
Glenmore Lodge, nr Aviemore, 01479 861276
Mountain Craft, GlenCoe, 01397 722213
Adventure holidays
UCPA skiing, 0161 442 6130
Road Runner, worldwide Hostelling Treks.
And on Wilderness area protection:
The John Muir Trust buys wilderness areas, particularly in Scotland, to protect them. Donations to Freepost, Musselburgh, Midlothian, EH21 7BR.
The National Trust does the same thing for England.
The National Trust Lake District Appeal spends money only in the Lakes area. Donations to The Hollens, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9QZ.
Further to my last message about sundry info I also have
Information on coach holiday companies:
Gina & Val's Holidays - Youth Hostelling & walking holidays. e.g. South Downs Way May 9/15, £122, Coast to Coast Aug 29/Sep 6, £197.
Lodge Coaches - e.g. Granada studios 31 July-2nd Aug, £105, staying in a hotel. Other destinations include Loire valley, Western Isles, Yorks Dales etc.
Wholesale Travel Services - coach trips for groups, to order. 0121 702 2164.
Freewheelers Lift Agency for greener travel, arrange car-shares throughout UK. Memerbership £10 pa. 0191 222 0090.
Far-flung destinations:
Rhum 01687 2026.
Bruce Watt, Mallaig, ferry to Knoydart 01687 462320.
Outdoor centres - ECC Youth Service leaflet on centres at Bradwell, Mersea, Danbury, Harlow, Southend, Harwich, Ardleigh, and Brecon!
And don't forget, YHA have outdoor centres at Llangollen and Edale (at least) and ski centres at GlenCoe & Aviemore.