CYHA NEWS

The Tatras are quite a small range rising up to 2,500 metres. The Polish/Slovak border runs across the top of the ridge we were walking on so much of the days were spent border hopping. The ridge itself was spectacular with excellent views down both sides - the Slovak valley was especially pretty- down to the plains from which the Tatras rise. The mountains were almost Cuillin like in their craggy and steep appearance.

The main target of the week was to climb Rysy - the highest peak in Poland - which involved a bus ride (cost 30p) and a hour long pony and trap ride to get us to within a reasonable distance of the peak and gave us a 4,000 foot head start in terms of height, leaving only 4,500 to go to the top!

The climb (for those who have attempted the Cuillins) was not as scary as Skye (less airy bits) but seemed more physically demanding as the last section was a steep ascent involving 1,000 feet of scrambling, much of it using the chains provided .

The views from the tops (there are two, one in Poland and one in Slovakia) were well worth the climb and was expensive photographically.

A very good week was had by all and we can recommend New Millenium as a tour operator for Eastern Europe.

There was a Polish folk evening some of us went to which I cannot remember too well - I think there was something wrong with the vodka. Can anyone help me piece the evening together?

Dave J

[For those not in the know, Dave was lured into an evening of drunken debauchery by some friendly Northeners. Whilst this did nothing to enhance his attractiveness to the gorgeous, blonde Polish lass, it did wonders for his Polish pronunciation - all those words with shhhh… in!]

Auschwitz - Austerity }

Beetroots & Bartering } Fears - not realised!

Concrete and Cabbages }

Dobry - Hello (Natives are friendly)

Excursions (cheaper if not booked through travel company but you may not get a guide that speaks English!)

Folklore Evenings - good excuse to get pissed and chat up beautiful Polish women (Dave J)

George Swieszkowski (Which even the Poles can't spell)

Herbata - if you want lots of it, PG tip your waitresses.

Inexpensive - What a lot of Zlotys you got!

Jerzy - Another word for George

Krakow - Beautiful medieval town, which escaped bombing in the last war. As sophisticated as Vienna - but affordable!

LOT - Polish Airlines - where you get a sausage toad for breakfast. Dave P has sent for the recipe.

Morski Oko - Mountain lake with trout and lovely walks

Nuns wearing Nike trainers (those with a habit of climbing hills)

Olde Worlde horse ploughs, Home-made haystacks.

Picturesque countryside. Plastic macs if you're Polish and Zlotys won't stretch to Goretex..

Queues - for the cable car, not for food. Don't queue jump past Lorna - knobbly knees and threatening behaviour!

Rysy - Highest mountain - climbed by those sadistic members who are into self-abuse with chains.

Salt Mines - where subversive tourists are sent on rainy days. Sauerkraut (see Cabbage and George)

Tatras - amazing mountains forming the border with Slovakia (which we invaded several times!)

Urznienty - a condition of severe intoxication experienced at folklore evenings (Unpronounceable - even when you're sober)

Vodka - all varieties - £3 a bottle 40% proof (see Urznienty)

W - most words begin with it. e.g. Waldy, Wieliczka (salt mines).

Xcellent Holiday!

You should go!

Zakopane - our destination - Alpine houses and scenery. A lovely place for a return visit any time you have the Zwotys to spare!

A bright and cheery morning greeted us as we set out on Saturday’s walk from the bunkhouse in Chipping to Parlick Pike and Fairsnape Fell (or something like that because you’ll have to remember I can’t read a map). As we climbed up we watched the Top Gun glider pilots showing off as they soared rather closely to the hill to gain lift. Trudi dutifully obeyed all the "No Dogs" signs (not!) until up ahead she noticed some farmers and made a detour over the wall to be on the right side of the law. Trudi dumped Polly (should Dogline know about this?) and joined us for lunch at the top of windy Fairsnape Fell, from where we had views of the plain below, the sea, sand and Blackpool Tower.

Continuing, we arrived at a flatish peatland area interspersed with colourful heather and pretty ponds with some very photographic fluffy clouds in the sky. While I stopped for Kodak moments everyone else stopped for Fuji moments. Another break where we admired Lorna’s new (yes new) shirt and watched Polly pick on dogs much larger than herself. Then it was back to Chipping in time for the teashop but not in time for the great Chipping Show. Pity, we did want to see the pig throwing contest and watch Polly win the best dog competition.

A barbecue at the bunkhouse was our evening meal. The veggie burgers and sausages were rather nice - better than the real thing (honest). Tom joined us in time for a burger after having notched up a few more Munros in Scotland. Jamie, Chris and I played a game of baseball in the fading light. This consisted of missing the ball, hitting the ball, hitting the kids from the campsite with the ball and losing the ball. Auntie Lorna had to be told of course but she wasn’t too cross.

Ann, Lorna and Jamie arrived first at the WI teashop in time for tea and cakes. The rest of the group arrived in time for tea and to hear the life story of Mother Teashop. The drivers (Clive, Andy and myself) arrived in time to save everyone from the rain.

Back at the bunkhouse my endeavours to light the fire failed due to the use of Community Care magazine which had an effect similar to an asbestos blanket. Fortunately Dave sneaked a few firelighters to me and soon a fire was going, tended by Jamie and watched by us responsible adults. Lorna and Jamie, inspired by the antics of yesterday’s glider pilots, tried their hands at aeronautical engineering. Community Care magazine wasn’t good at making aeroplanes either. A delicious evening meal of stew and dumplings created by Ann was enjoyed by all.

Monday arrived too soon and sadly the day to go home. While the rest of the group went on a walk, Geli, Lorna, Jamie, Chris and I took a trip to Beacon Fell. Jamie successfully completed an orienteering course, making it look quite easy. Hey guys, I think I can read a map now.

In anticipation of the trip I went to my second favourite bookshop on London - Stanfords (number one being Forbidden Planet) and bought all I could find on the Forest of Bowland - just 3 thin pamphlet sized booklets. The person behind the till said ‘oh I come from the area and I can recommend a good tea shop’ - it was of course the Cobbled Corner Cafe.

We walked on the first day to Parlick, Blindhurst Fell, where we were buzzed by gliders and then over to Saddle Fell and then back to the Camping Barn, but not before getting to the famous Cobbled Corner Cafe just before it closed and I can say that it was well recommended!. The second day we walked from Dunsop Bridge along Dunsop River then around Middle Knoll, I never did get to the tea shop that day as one of the drivers I was doing my bit to save people from the rain. On the last day we walked from Doeford bridge in the River Hodder valley to Whitewell.

Other memories of the trip are the range of sleeping mats used, (it was of course a camping barn), from the high tech self inflating Thermarests, to the ordinary sleeping mats to the low tech solution of a thick large chunk of foam. The unconventional and highly effective alternative use of the large barbeque as a toaster - you want toast sir, the whole loaf at once sir, no problem!

It seems that very few people have written about the area and it was empty compared to other parts of the country at that time of year. I am already looking forward to going back there and walking over the less inhabited areas.

DAY 1. Starring: Dave P, Ali, Jim, Carol, Andrew, Lorna, & Helen, with guest appearances by Jamie and Margaret, directed by Darren & Roz

After two aborted missions, the troops arrived at Saffron Walden on Saturday to find the beds overgrown and looking like we hadn't been there. Darren & Roz had decided that the best starting point was to plant the lavender & sage around the "quiet area". While some people got to work on removing the insidious geraniums, the rest of us dug trenches and planted the sage & lavender. YES, WE ACTUALLY PLANTED SOMETHING!

We met Margaret, the new warden. Like Suzanne before her, she is very positive about the project, and even offered to weed. She also plied us with tea and coffee.

DAY 2. Featuring: Dave, Ali, Jim, Trudy and special guest Dave Nichols (area manager).

We finished clearing the area along the west and planted grass seed to hopefully keep the marauding geraniums at bay.

We discussed the next steps with Dave Nichols There is money for the next planting phase, and he can get us the materials for the path. He also told us the hostel is safe even though the £250,000 renovation project is looking dicey on the thorny matter of parking (as the hostel doesn't have it's own car park).

In all, I'm dead chuffed with the weekend, and you can see Darren's master plan starting to take shape.

THE SEQUEL. Sunday 10th October 10am - 5pm. We plan to plant the climbing plants along the west wall.

In the new year, we plan to lay the paths to delineate the different zones, using paving slabs instead of gravel for less effort and greater practicality.