CYHA NEWS

The end of January saw us visiting the Cathedral City of Norwich. Some arrived on Friday in time for slap-up dinners in the town, others in time for a couple of pints of real ale, whereas Gerry and Richard only just made it before lock up!

The forecast for the weekend had not been promising, so it was with some delight that we woke up Saturday morning to a bright, blustery, winter's day. Of course "blustery" just describes the wind in the town...

Ian (Our Man in Norwich) organised a super walk starting from the second most remote railway station in the country (Berney Arms). This "station" is in reality just a platform in the middle of the marshes; no road access. Presumably the most remote railway station (somewhere in the wilds of Scotland) is so far from civilisation that even wildlife can't get there!!

From the "Station" we made our way to the famous Berney Arms windmill and we discovered that what was merely "blustery" in Norwich, was gale-force out here. We could barely stand up! I have been out in stronger winds, but usually on top of a mountain, not at sea level!

Of course even high winds have their advantages. In a landscape of dykes and levees the sky is huge and the clouds were scudding across it at impressive speeds causing sunbeams to periodically burst forth on to the landscape below. The reed beds were also fascinating, rippling like water and catching the light like silk.

Whilst all this was very poetic, it was also hard work walking into the wind. It was not without some relief that we arrived at the Railway Arms in Reedham for beers and a tour of the Humpty Dumpty brewery.

Saturday night saw most of us deserting the hostel for the bright lights of Norwich Town centre. This left the coast clear for the Local Groups Quiz semi final between Norwich and Leicester Local Groups, which was being held in a back room. The teams were evenly matched and in the close fought contest it was Leicester that were eventually victorious. The questions were fiendishly difficult and a welcome reminder of why we never enter this contest!

The weekend was rounded off with a super Sunday walk hosted by our friends at Norwich Local Group and accompanied by a member of Leicester Group (obviously no hard feelings!). We all had a super trip and wished we'd gone for longer!

Thanks go in particular to Ian, whose organisation and inventive use of trains made the weekend particularly enjoyable. We should also thank Ian for the fabulous slide show, "Around the World in 80 Minutes".

Our weekend in Norwich began on Saturday with a walk led by Ian, which started from the station in the middle of nowhere, Berney Arms. Not the place to be stranded in at night especially as two trains only pass through a day. Good thing Ian knew the train times. A winding, windy walk led us through the marshes of The Island to Reedham where we had a free tour round the local brewery. Here we were allowed to sample the various hops, malts and grains used to brew ale. The tastes ranged from coffee to muesli through to sawdust. Returning to Ian’s place by train we were treated to Around the World in 80 Minutes slideshow plus tea and biscuits. Saturday evening’s entertainment was spent by various groups going to the cinema, joining in the general knowledge quiz, having an Indian meal or having a quiet drink at a local ale house. I dragged Richard, our newest member, Carol, Geli and Sally around Norwich photographing streets, cathedrals and people. I almost got that shot of the girl artistically framed in the window of a bar but I lost my vantage point from behind a wall because the park was being closed.

We were joined on Sunday by members of the Norwich YHA on a pleasant walk from North Walsham along footpaths, forests and fields. The walk finished at the station with the roaring fire. Ian took care of the tickets for us, pulling out his Platinum Card. The day was rounded off with tea at Blickling Hall surprising the staff as we entered 10 minutes before closing time. We journeyed home our separate ways, me feeling pleased that I’d got my picture of the girl on the train to North Walsham. Unfortunately DVLC got the picture of me but that’s another story.

Sunday Feb 13th, we met at Heybridge Basin,
Not quite sure of the challenge we were facin'.
Conditions were good,
Lots of sunshine and mud,
And so we set off, at a pace that was racin'!

So there we were, up the River Chelmer without a paddle,
Our target was lunch at the Rodney in Little Baddow.
After climbing the hill,
and having had our fill,
We continued onward, aching, only 6 miles to go!

After many boats and barges, Chelmsford came into sight.
We must have made good time, it was still daylight!
We had a rest at a lock,
What! Another photo stop?
The final incentive, tea and cake at Lorna's - must be alright!

We had a good time at the Megabowl. Fifteen of us in total! Everyone achieved a respectable score, and Clive and Claire showed great potential for beginners!

Many thanks to Chris for delighting a packed room with fabulous slides from his holiday to Peru and the Lost Cities. The views were simply awesome and left us all burning with envy! Chris says it's Morocco this year - better pack that slide film Chris, we'll be relying on you!

Dave J did a marvellous job of organising the General Knowledge Quiz. We were a bit worried at first when he was asking for highest mountains, longest rivers and the identity of political incumbents - but all was not lost as the questions quickly turned to lower IQ topics, such as characters from Southpark.

Lynn was disappointed to learn that Dave's quiz wasn't actually a quiz on the life and times of our beloved treasurer (she really should read her Newsletter more thoroughly). To appease her we rounded off the evening with ten questions on the subject of Dave P. These ranged from least favourite food and chosen "A" level subjects to less flattering estimations of his waist measurement! Spookily, people seemed to know a lot more about him than he thought...

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