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Ticket to Ryde
.jpg) Well
it might not be the Lake District, but as a substitute Easter trip,
the Isle of Wight has loads to offer the discerning visitor. Quaint
country lanes (surprisingly hilly for our cyclists); the incredible
disappearing coastal path (IOW has been experiencing considerable
coastal erosion due to the flooding); numerous well-stocked tea-rooms;
fossil hunting on the beaches; and museums, donkey sanctuaries,
castles and windmills etc. The path above The Needles was reopened
following foot & mouth closures, only to be closed again after a
few hours when someone found an unexploded bomb! We even managed to
fit in a trip to the cinema to see "Bridget Jones' Diary",
which, being mostly thirty-and-then-somes, we all found highly
entertaining and influential (see Jane's article below).
Bridget Jones on the Isle of Wight
Alcohol units consumed - 35 (av. 7 per day - v.good for
holiday rate)
Buttock clenches - 26 (all by self - no offers)
Buttocks clenched - nil (did offer Tom and Dave P - both
declined)
No of times disturbed roommates by visit to loo in night
- 3 nights nil -v.good;
1 night - 3 times - v. poor - George's "winter fruit
compote" culprit -(esp. prunes)
.jpg) Spent
5 days on Isle of Wight hankering after donkeys and focussing intently
on men's bottoms. You'll enjoy cycling on the IOW proclaimed my mother
- it's flat there. I reflected upon this rash statement as I huffed
and puffed my way up various hills on Friday - 25 miles spent viewing
Tom and Dave P's bottoms (one a wee bit trimmer than the other, but
both pleasant prospects). When could no longer cope with looking at
their rear ends, took diversion to tea shop in terribly twee Godshill
where Gerry and Dave J appeared, and we all went to the pub.
Intellectual topics of conversation pursued as usual - optimum
position to adopt to break wind on a bicycle etc.
Saturday, only Tom's bum in prospect - and not often as
he's too jolly fit, and kept disappearing into the distance. The only
time I caught up with Tom was when he was unsuccessfully trying to
climb over a gorse bush to relieve a call of nature.
.jpg) Best
of all was Sunday. Dave P, Dave J, Tom and I set off on an epic coast
to coast journey, from the Needles to Sandown, with Ali in the support
vehicle (although I'm sure I heard her say she was switching off her
mobile and if anyone wanted help tough luck or some such phrase). As
you may have gathered, I was literally bringing up the rear on each
day's cycling. My bottom complained at several points, and needed
repeated clenching exercises to keep going. But the killing ups, were
rewarded by exhilarating downs, with the added excitement that it
would only take one pothole on an exhilarating down to bring about my
rather untimely end.
My thanks go to those who allowed me to cycle with them,
and for patiently and good-naturedly waiting for me at the road
junctions to guide me onwards.
.jpg) On
Monday we managed a coastal walk. This was interesting, as the coastal
path had been eroded, and at several points it led us to a sheer drop
where the path had dropped onto the beach.
As much as I cajoled, there was never "quite enough
time" to fit in the trip to the donkey sanctuary. Never mind, got
revenge by making them all sit in "Pets Corner" on the ferry
back! And so, all in all, the IOW trip was much fun. So, Cheers to
everyone on the trip, or dare I say, Bottoms Up!
Jane
Tree ID
Many thanks to Nigel for his twiggy evening. Very
informative, but tricky getting ones brain around all that Latin
stuff. I can't help thinking I will still be referring to trees as big
ones and little ones for some time to come.
.jpg) Rodings
Cycle Ride
On April Fool's Day, Jim led us on a very pleasant ride
through the Easters, the Rodings and other villages, including three
pub stops (one of which was closed, but we sat in the beer garden and
drank water anyway). And for once, there was no need to call for
Bicycle repair man!
While browsing through some ancient disks, the following
came to light, written for the CYHA magazine in 1992... It remains
frighteningly relevant!
Uncle Dave's Cook Book
As a new feature this magazine will be presenting some
mouth-watering recipe ideas so that you too can re-create some of the
culinary delights you have enjoyed on recent YHA trips!
In this, the first in a series of one, we cover the
traditional Chelmsford YHA style breakfast.
Ingredients:
2 cans of baked beans (Extra enormous size)
24 large sausages (preferably Tesco Economy sausages -
these are almost meat-free and therefore almost suitable for
vegetarians)
A lot of cooking oil (alternatively, drain some oil from
your sump)
(serves 20, but they won't all want it, so there's extra
for the
cook!)
1. Select a large, rusty, dented frying pan.
2. Cram the sausages into the pan and fry violently.
3. Empty the beans into a saucepan and bring to the
boil. Do NOT stir because this makes washing up less challenging.
4. When sausages are half cooked, call Debbie to make
her personal selection (otherwise you'll get complaints later)
5. When sausages are golden brown (i.e. burnt) and beans
are congealing nicely, serve on a cold plate with a slice of stale
bread. Remember to find an extra crispy sausage for Lorna.
6. George's special: He won't be up yet, so leave two
sausages in the pan to go cold and soak up grease, and save some of
the amorphous sludge from the bottom of the bean pan.
7. Any left-overs can be used for lunch, or given to
Trudi's dog. (Note for animal lovers: I'm only joking!)
In the next issue: Gill tells us how to make porridge
from meths.
A World Wide Audience
Below is a small selection of the comments we've had in
our web site visitor's book
Vivien Whalley, USA
I was a member of Chelmsford YHA 1963. I cannot remember which
hostels we visited as a group, however my favorite hostels of all time
were Tanner's Hatch and Hindhead, it brought back wonderful memories
to see the photos. Thanks
Roger Smith, GB
Nice photos. I did an 1800 mile tour of the highlands last year,
including Orkney, then headed West to Durness, down to the isle of
Skye. How did you get so close to that Puffin? I envy you, I've always
wanted to see one in the feathers, but I haven't been quite so lucky.
Amy Pearce, UK
Just been browsing and came across your great pictures! Paul and I
are the new wardens here, have been since April 2000. Sharon and Rick
are back in Australia. Thanks for putting the pictures up for everyone
to see how lovely the hostel is. I hope you had a good visit and maybe
you'd like to bring your group back sometime. Thanks, Amy and Paul,
Beer YHA
Neil Smith, Wales
Have just found your item referring to your stay in Smithys Bunkhouse
New Year 1999 We have done a lot of improvements since you were with
us, its high time you paid us a return visit
Ewald, Germany
Hallo, enyoued the pictures from the lake district- especially
Ullswater lake. I did the walk along ullswater over the top to
Patterdale YH in 1960 or so. Nice to see that the place is still OK.
Jenny Robinson, UK
Hi - love the site especially the photos - brings back lots of
memories of muddy boots and smelly drying rooms.
Jane Noga, USA
Your pictures are beautiful. I wish I could be with you on a hike
right now! Hope to come to Essex within the year to visit friends,and
take a walk. Best wishes to all.
Terry/Betty Simister, UK
Nice Web Page. Glad to see you are still going strong, especially
since I re-started you back in 1967!
Brian Greed, Germany
Greetings from an ex-pat. living in Germany Great photos of the
Lakes! how they make me homesick. I spent six weeks in Eskdale on an
Outward Bound course, back in 1977, and the Lakes have been in my
blood ever since!! (the alps just don't come close)!! Happy Hiking!
Sarah Cooper, England
Very much enjoyed looking at your pictures of Oban and Mull. Your
photos brought back some very fond memories especially Iona, the
puffins, Tobermory, pulpit hill. |
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