CYHA NEWS

The Monthly Newsletter of Chelmsford YHA Local Group

August 2001

Summertime

Well here we are in the middle of a fine British summer. As I write this the sun is blazing through the window and we have just come back from a fabulous weekend in Norfolk. Sheringham was chaotic even by our standards with a record turn-out for a weekend away of 39 (10 of whom were children). Certainly the weather was in our favour, a bit muggy perhaps, but dry and often sunny. A combination of trains, walks, beaches, pubs, ice creams and dinosaurs seemed to cater for most tastes. I think everyone had a good time, but with so many I don't believe I got to speak to everyone. I for one loved it! Summer always makes me think of holidays; what with Trudi, Ann and Sarah all off to Iceland, and Dave and Jim just back from doing California with Jane - I can't wait to take in some gorgeous scenery for myself.

My appetite was additionally whetted by Gerry's wonderful slides of Venezuela. The slides were excellent and the several albums of photos even better. Plus the added excitement of having to dodge inexpertly fired blow-darts!

We've also been testing my hayfever to the limit with our guided tour of Galleywood Common. Much more interesting than I had supposed. I thought it was a rather scrubby patch of wasteland, now I can see the heathland conservation and the benefit to wildlife - it was really fascinating.

Our thanks to Tony Walentowicz, Chelmsford Museum Service's Keeper of Natural Sciences, for showing us round.

Welsh Weekend at Corris Hostel

Michael, the warden, is a former engineer from Kent who bought the hostel when YHA closed it 10 years ago. Situated in the "eco-valley", the hostel now has an "alternative" feel to it, with colourful murals and soothing music, and an emphasis on re-cycling and composting.

Jane visited the Alternative Technology Centre while the rest of us climbed Cadair Idris. Fine views on the way up, but thick cloud at the top. Sunday started wet and foggy, so we decided on a sea-level walk beside the Barmouth Estuary, involving a walk across Barmouth Bridge and a ferry ride back.

By lunchtime the sun had come out and it was a beautiful afternoon, eating ice creams and paddling in the sea - and thinking perhaps we should have gone up a hill after all! Tom and Trudi, however, stayed an extra day and made the rest of us jealous by climbing Cadair again - but this time with a view!

Dave P

Summer Picnic in Hylands Park

We celebrated Janet's and Helen's birthdays, as many times before, with a picnic in Hyland Park. In previous years the main problem has been the ice cream melting before we could eat it. But this time it was different! We bravelty ate on through the showers, but eventually had to make a dash to Hylands House for tea and cakes in the dry.

Chignall Smealy Walk

A sunny July evening saw several of us gathering at the Pig & Whistle for Tom to lead us on a pleasant stroll around the fields. In celebration of the sunshine a few of us changed into our shorts - but regretted it when we encoutered the first patch of stinging nettles!

Some of the footpaths were extremely overgrown, having been closed for much of the previous four months due to the foot & mouth restrictions. But we did our bit to trample them down, and were rewarded with fine sunset views.

Paglesham Sailing and Walking

On Sunday 8th July we met up with Hostellers Sailing Club for a sail and walk. Nige, Paula & Sally sailed upriver with HSC in their Wayfarer boats while Lorna, Tim A and Gary walked, mostly along the sea wall. There was a good wind for sailing but it drizzled a bit. After lunch at the Cherry Tree we walked back, except Lorna who opted to sail. Nige reports "We sailed up the Roach, and then we ran out of water because of the tide so we turned round and sailed up and down a bit. When we landed we got stuck in the mud! A very nice lunch at the pub. The sail back was much easier cos it was downwind and we could see Lorna lying back. The fields were so dry they were cracked - huge cracks like crevasses. It turned out a beautiful sunny evening for the drive home. A thoroughly enjoyable day." The HSC have a website and welcome any CYHA people to join HSC for one-off day-sailing and as members.

Lorna

Postcard: The Blue Lagoon, Iceland Postcard from Iceland

"We may not be eating much, but as you can see, we have been transformed by our 3 days here and can testify to the magical powers of geothermal hot springs. We hope the effects will be permanent, but in case not, I'm buying a house here!" - Trudi

I have discovered there is more than one way to interpret "easy" walks!! - Ann

"Help!!" - Sarah