Weekends Away 2009-2015


London LDWA Liverpool Weekend - You'll never walk alone!

17-19  April 2015

Updated notes for participants are here in Word and here as a pdf.

Booking Status (updated 13 April): Trip is confirmed and participants are booking into Liverpool YHA and the Liverpool Exchange Travelodge. Contact organiser below if interested, there is still space with about 15 participating.

Join London Group members for a mixture of walking and sightseeing in historic Liverpool and along the bracing Sefton coast. Liverpool needs no introduction with its rich cultural, sporting and maritime heritage, and the historic waterfront has been regenerated as the centrepiece of the Liverpool World Heritage site. Frequent trains from London to Liverpool Lime Street take about 2h30m. With public transport linking to the walk starts and stations nearby along the walk routes, there is flexibility for many shorter options.

Outline programe:

Friday - short orientation walk in the city, Cavern quarter and waterfront followed by group meal

Saturday – short train ride to Hightown to walk south along the Sefton coast back to Liverpool over dunes and promenades, turning east along the old canals to the historic waterfront, continuing onwards along the Mersey riverside walkways inland to Sefton Park, with a short train ride back to the accommodation to eat in the city or on the waterfront. 20 miles, flat easy walking, with shorter options using trains back to the city centre.

Sunday - morning 2-hour sightseeing walk around the historic city and port areas, followed by return ferry trip across the Mersey (probably a triangular ‘cruise’) with views back to the waterfronts. Optional afternoon sightseeing walk, including the famous soccer grounds of Liverpool and Everton, returning to the main station for return trains back to London. Many other afternoon options include museum or gallery visits, Beatles experiences, or shopping in Liverpool One – Liverpool was European City of Culture in 2008.

Further coastal walking opportunities are on the Wirral peninsula opposite, for anyone with more time available, or on the Sandstone Trail.

Accommodation is available at a range of prices in and near Liverpool City centre. The modern YHA hostel is well located close to the historic waterfront. The organiser plans to stay at the YHA if there is space available. Other hostels include Hatter's and there are budget hotels such as Travelodge and Premier Inn all within easy reach of Lime Street station, of the walk starts and of the evening meal venues. You will need to book your own travel and accommodation, but please do not make a booking until the weekend is confirmed!

To register your intention to participate in this weekend please email the organiser below by 12 January, 2014. The trip will run with a minimum of 15. Once the trip is confirmed you will be advised by email. As accommodation and low cost train fares may book up quickly, you are advised to make your bookings as soon as possible after that. Members' partners or friends are welcome to take part in the weekend and may participate in the walks if they are interested in joining the LDWA.

Organiser: Paul Lawrence at paulmlawrence.stats@gmail.com and 07768585657

For these details as a flyer, please download the trip flyer here.

Updated notes for participants are here in Word and here as a pdf.


Liverpool trip gallery for an idea of what you will see on this weekend:


Lakes Trip for London LDWA – mid-June 2015

Booking Status (updated 18 January): Trip is confirmed and participants are booking into Ambleside YHA and a b&b. Contact organiser below if interested.

Explore more of the Lake District, or make you first trip, in a series of led walks during the long days of June 2015, with a long weekend based at Ambleside with public good transport options from London. Similar trips have been run for the last several years with the organisers/leaders the late Steve Singleton, and Paul Lawrence who is organising again this year (contact details below at the end). Accommodation soon gets booked up, so early booking is recommended. Full day walks will be offered each day with the route selected the day before depending on weather and preferences. The walks involve substantial ascent, rocky ground and occasional scrambling options (with a walking alternative). Car shares operate to the walk starts.

Ambleside is a major walking centre in the central Lakes with a large range of accommodation styles (please book your own, some suggestions are below). There is good access to many valleys, ridges and major peaks, including Langdale. Euston trains go to Windermere via Preston and Oxenholme hourly taking about 3-3.5hrs. 

Walks will be offered each day from Tuesday 16 June-Monday 23 June so you are welcome to join for those days that suit.

The organiser, Paul, has been doing his ‘Wainwrights’ for a number of years and is nearing completing them so plans to do the final one in the ‘round’ on the Saturday of this weekend. He has done many of them on past London and other LDWA trips to the Lakes and having now done about 200 of the 214 summits, knows the Lake District well, although the walks will not have been specifically recced.

The plan this year (2015) is for the walking standard to be moderate for the long weekend below, so within the capability of walkers who do typical London group walks in say the Surrey hills, but are not experienced in the British mountains, although the ground may be rougher and steeper. For the preceding weekdays, the walks will be a bit more challenging with the occasional optional scramble and may reach the highest Lakeland summits.

For those planning to come for a long weekend arriving on Friday, the plans are:

Friday 19 June – meet for a meal and briefing in Ambleside.

Saturday 20 June – full day walk probably to peaks around the Langdale valley using car shares from Ambleside. On this walk I am planning to complete my final Wainwright summit and celebrate the occasion with some drinks. The final peak is likely to be one of Rosset Pike, Lingmoor or Blea Rigg.

Sunday and Monday 21 and 22 June, full day walks (with half-day option on Monday) 

For anyone wanting to do a challenge event in the area on the same trip, The Three Rings of Shap, a Cumbria group challenge event from Shap, is on Saturday 13 June 2015 and offers a range of options from about 18-64 miles, and completing all the 3 Rings overnight is a 100 qualifier for 2015. Entry is online via the usual LDWA Events webpages.

For full details of the weekend including some suggestions for accommodartion, and the meeting point in Ambleside, please download the trip flyer here.

A report on the Lakes June 2014 trip is on the link and photos from past trips are below.


Lakes trips gallery - from the 2013 and 2010 visits.


Below are details of flyers for some past group weekends:

Lakes Trip for London LDWA:  June 2014

Explore more of the Lake District, or make you first trip, in a series of led walks during the long days of June 2014, with two centres offered, including a long weekend aimed mainly at London group members, all with public transport options. Similar trips have been run for the last several years with the organisers/leaders the late Steve Singleton, and Paul Lawrence who is organising this year (contact details below). Accommodation soon gets booked up, so early booking is recommended. Full information may be downloaded below and there are a few photos in the gallery below.

Full day walks will be offered each day with the route selected the day before depending on weather and preferences. The walks involve substantial ascent, rocky ground and occasional scrambling options (with a walking alternative). Car shares operate to the walk starts.

Friday 13 June Keswick for London group weekend. This will extend optionally to Monday 16 June (half and full day options). Keswick is a major walking centre in the north western Lakes with a large range of accommodation styles (please book your own). The leader plans to stay at Rivendell Guest House. There is good access to many valleys, ridges and major peaks, including Borrowdale. Euston trains go to Penrith via Preston hourly taking about 3-3.5hrs. An hourly bus links to Keswick taking 40mins, so with an early start it is practical to do an afternoon walk on arrival. The Three Rings of Shap, a Cumbria group challenge event from Shap, is on Saturday 14 June and completing all the 3 Rings overnight is a 100 qualifier for 2015, but there will be a led walk on this day.

Monday 9 June based in Eskdale arriving by car or by train and walk/stay there until Friday 13 June (up to four nights stay preceding the Keswick weekend). Eskdale (purple icon on the map in the download below) is in the western Lakes and is more remote and less visited. There are options to bag less accessible Wainwrights, visit new valleys and ridges, such as Wasdale and the secluded Miterdale, and ascend some major peaks, like Sca Fell, by different routes. There is a daytime narrow gauge railway from Ravenglass up Eskdale as another option, or to reach accommodation. Trains run to Ravenglass from Euston, hourly via Preston/Barrow taking about 5-5.5hrs, with one or two changes, and an evening pick up can be provided. Please book your own accommodation. There are b&b, hotel and self catering (the YHA has often been full but may be worth enquiring), and if these are not on the car route to the walk start, pick ups each day can be arranged from the listed accommodation below. The leader and others booked so far are staying in Stanley House.

Further details can be downloaded below or will be provided on request with other suggested accommodation and meeting points on the first evening and for the walks. Lifts may be possible to the Lakes and between centres, and car sharing operates for the day walks. Contact for London Group: Paul Lawrence 07768 585657 or paulmlawrence.stats@gmail.com.

{Note: details revised I March 2014 from initial posting with Eskdale now before Keswick and leader now using Rivendell in Keswick.]

Lakes2014 download


Hathersage: Saturday 4th May to Monday 6th May 2013

The location is Derbyshire based in Hathersage.

There will be three walks offered as follows:

Saturday 4th May - Circular Via Eyam
19mls and 1020 meters ascent

Start at Hathersage train station at 9.30am. (If anyone comes up by train this morning we will wait for the 9.14 connection from Sheffield to arrive – but please let me know).

Via Abney Clough to lunch at Eyam and back via Frogget Edge.

Sunday 5th May - Edale to Hathersage
19mls and 1032 meters ascent

Start at Hathersage train station at 9.30am and take the train to Edale.

Via Rushup Edge and Hollins Tor back to Edale for lunch then up to the Kinder Plateau and via Win Hill back to Hathersage.

Monday 6th May - Circular Via Stannage
20mls and 834 meters ascent

Start at the Little John pub at 9.15am. Bring sandwiches and snacks (shops and bakery which does rolls in Hathersage open from 7am) as there are no places to get refreshments until we get to Longshaw Lodge NT teashop at circa 3.30pm. Through boggy moors around the northern top of Stannage Edge (underneath it!) then via Redmires Reservoir up onto Stannage Edge and via Burbage Rocks and Longshaw for tea stop then back to Hathersage.

We should be back at Hathersage in time to catch the 18.45 train to Sheffield with onward connections to London.

You could arrive Friday evening or possibly Saturday morning on the 9.14 from Sheffield. You could leave on the 18.45 from Hathersage on Monday evening or stay another night and leave Tuesday.

Accommodation options are:

  • YHA - as it is a long weekend Bank holiday, it will book fast - so please let Lonica know asap to organize group booking, numbers permitting.
  • B&B and self-catering at Little John Pub - phone 01433 650 225.
  • Number of other local B&B in the area.
  • Camping possibilities nearby.


Trains from London to Hathersage via Sheffield are much cheaper if booked in advance – bookings open 3 months ahead. Please note train times are this year’s – times will be updated next year if needs be.

Also please note there is high level and tough walking with more ascent than we generally have on our walks and open very wet and boggy moor for an hour or so on Sunday and Monday and quite a lot of rocky surface as well every day – so please wear proper walking boots not trainers. Also the weather can do anything – I had lots of rain and sleet during the recce on the same weekend this year – so please bring sufficient suitable clothing. That said in previous years it has been very warm with sun reflecting off the rock. So come prepared for all weather – and please check the weather forecast ahead of packing! Given the conditions the average speed of the walk will be less than usual too!

If you would like to come to this, or have any questions please let me know ( Lonica.Vanclay@talktalk.net) 


 

Lakes Trip for London LDWA:  June 2013

Explore more of the Lake District, or make you first trip, in a series of led walks during the long days of June 2013, with two/three centres offered, including a long weekend aimed mainly at London group members, all with public transport options. The pdf linked below contains more details. Similar trips have been run for the last several years with the organisers/leaders the late Steve Singleton, and Paul Lawrence who is organising this year (contact details listed in downloads below). Accommodation soon gets booked up, so early booking is recommended.

Full day walks will be offered each day with the route selected the day before depending on weather and preferences. The walks involve substantial ascent, rocky ground and occasional scrambling options (with a walking alternative). Car shares operate to the walk starts.

Monday 17 June based in Eskdale arriving by car or by train) and walk/stay there until the Friday 21st. Eskdale (purple icon on the map in downloads below) is in the western Lakes and is more remote and less visited. There are options to bag less accessible Wainwrights, visit new valleys and ridges, such as Wasdale and the secluded Miterdale, and ascend some major peaks, like Sca Fell, by different routes. There is a daytime narrow gauge railway from Ravenglass up Eskdale as another option, or to reach accommodation. Trains run to Ravenglass from Euston, hourly via Preston/Barrow taking about 5-5.5hrs, with one or two changes, and an evening pick up can be provided. Book your own accommodation, (see Accommodation listed in downloads below). There are b&b, hotel and self catering (the YHA has been full for this period but may be worth enquiring), and if these are not on the car route to the walk start, pick ups each day can be arranged from the listed accommodation.

Friday 21 June move to Keswick for 'London' group weekend. This will extend to Monday 24 June (half and full day options) and on Tuesday, if demand, there will be a half day option. Keswick (top of map) is a major walking centre in the north western Lakes with a large range of accommodation (please book your own, see Accommodation listed in downloads below) and access to many valleys, ridges and major peaks, including from Borrowdale. Euston trains go to Penrith via Preston hourly taking about 3-3.5hrs. An hourly bus links to Keswick taking 40mins, so it is practical to do an afternoon walk on arrival.

For anyone also interested in the previous weekend, 14-17 June, there may be options based in Ambleside, please contact the leader. The Three Rings of Shap, a Cumbria group challenge event from Shap, is on the Saturday and all the 3 Rings overnight is a 100 qualifier for 2014. Ambleside (right of map) is a major walking centre in the central Lakes with a wide range of accommodation (please book your own, see Accommodation listed in downloads below). Trains from Euston to Windermere hourly via Preston take 3.25-3.5hrs and buses link to Ambleside taking 15mins, so it is practical to do an afternoon walk on arrival

There is more detail in this Word doc or this pdf

Contact for London Group: Paul Lawrence 07768 585657 or paulmlawrence.stats@googlemail.com


 

Where we went in 2012

Blaxhall - Suffolk, 21st to 22nd April

It was a select group who turned up at the Ship Inn in Blaxhall on Friday night for a meal and some drinks as a start to the weekend away. Just 3 adventurous souls joined me – Gordon, Nick and Judith. The weather forecast was not brilliant for the weekend – however in the end we did very well – the rain mostly held off until the evening, the sun peeped through at times and the temperature was not too warm – just excellent for keeping a steady pace.

On Saturday we took the bus to Aldeburgh and after admiring the Moat House and modern sculpture on the beach set off via coast and fields then coast again past Sizewell which looked amazingly like a huge golfball from some angles and through Minsmere with time to marvel at the many twitchers and on to Dunwich Heath and the NT tea shop – great coffee and cake while it rained. Then through the woods to the Eels Foot pub for a swift half before heading off through fields and past the ruins of Leiston Abbey to the woods fringing the river and back to Blaxhall. A grand total of 20 miles.

Blaxhall may be small but what with a local wedding and a great 50s/60s band performing in the pub at night it was a great night out and we only had to stagger a few yards back to our rooms behind the pub afterwards!

Sunday we set off from the pub to Snape Maltings then through some rather dank pig fields and woods and fields – neatly avoiding treading on a snake? (no – a very slow and sleepy slow worm!) - to Orford – a soup and pint in the pub and down to the river – just in time for a shortish but very heavy and cold rainshower as we tramped through the fields there….then back through more fields and woods to Blaxhall. A grand total of some 18 miles.

Big skies and big views with minimal ascent – and a great weekend to blow the city cobwebs away as Nicks photos show!


 

Where we went in 2011

 Isle of Wight Weekend: Totland bay, West Wight, 8th to 10th July

 

On Friday, Jill and Jim walked the 3.5 miles from Alverstone to meet Chris opposite Sandown Pier to do Jill's "Across The Island" trek. Heading westwards along the costal path in wet and windy conditions, the 3 met Andy at Lake, and continued along the coast heading inland before Ventnor, and zig-zagging their way along paths and quiet country roads via Bonchurch, Wroxall and Stenbury Downs. The rain had cleared away by mid-morning to leave bright and breezy conditions. Jim departed  before lunch to return to Sandown and travel to the mainland for the Sunday's LDWA High Weald challenge. We stopped at a pleasant pub, the Crown, in Shorwell for lunch. They had an excellent pint of Goddards Fuggle-de-Dum (brewed in Ryde), and a very attractive garden with a pond containing some of the biggest fish any of us had ever seen.  There were a couple of navigational teasers in the afternoon, and at one point having to detour a path  which disappeared in a jungle of tall weeds, we managed to leap over a barbed wire fence to get back on track. Approaching the West Wight along a ridge, the panorama opened up and the sea both sides of the island was visible. We reached the YH at 7.15 (after 27 miles - great walk) where Chris was staying, and Jill had left her car the previous day. Jill returned to Sandown, and Andy & Chris walked from their respective B&Bs to the Broadway Inn to meet Chris K, Joelle, Don & Stephen for an evening of fun, laughter AND a pub quiz (we came 3rd). They stopped serving food at 8 but then let you bring in food from the chippy next door and even gave you plate, cutlery and condiments! Great neighbourhood pub.
 
On Saturday, a minibus picked up the party at Totland to drive to Bembridge. The driver dropped us off at the wrong place, and we had to walk the short distance along the beach to meet Jill, whose mobile was dead and she had to borrow a phone from an unsuspecting dog walker to get in touch. Stephen sadly slipped off a breakwater and sprained his ankle, so he hobbled with us to the harbour for morning coffees and where Stephen caught a bus to Newport and the rest of the party took a bus to Arreton to start our revised schedule for the day. From Arreton, we walked the 5 miles to Carisbrooke Castle for a pub lunch, where we met Andy who had arrived by bus due to a blistered foot from the previous day (well he was the only one carrying full weekend pack). The weather was improving all the time, and we walked the glorious 15 miles back to Totland via Freshwater Bay. Jill had secured accommodation in Totland, and our happy band adjourned to a pub on the seafront (The Waterfront) for dinner to watch the sun go down. Oh what bliss!
 
On Sunday, we were joined by Frank & Juliette (Surrey Group) who were staying the week in Totland. Our walk from Totland Bay took us along the coastal path via The Needles and then inland to Hulverstone for a pub lunch at the Sun Inn - another excellent pub with a big garden, good food and ale. After lunch we returned to the coastal path and arrived at Brighstone (15 miles) for the buses to start our homeward journey. Jill & Chris stopped for a cream tea, and then took a bus to Newport, for connections to Sandown & Ryde. The others returned to Totland to take the ferry back to the mainland.
 
What a lovely (long) weekend of walking. OK we were not able to do "The Hot Cross Bun" challenge but we did some great walking, and many thanks to Jill for leading and telling us about the places of interest (for example we stood in the fields where the 1970 Isle of Wight music festival was held).
 
Stephen has since reported that an X-Ray revealed no broken bones. Chris (and Andy)


Lakes Weekend, 24th - 27th June

Some folks went up some mountains and came back down again. Afterwards they went in to some fine public houses and restaurants and came out again. They stayed in Youth Hostels or luxurious B&Bs. A good time was probably had by all, but I wouldn't know for sure as I wasn't there. And nobody who was there has provided any information.


Houseman 100, Shropshire, 27th to 30th May

Our London Group checkpoint this year was 48 miles along the route in the village hall of  Mainstone in Shropshire about 23 miles from Ludlow and 7 miles from Clun. There were 13 of us, from London Group, gathered together on a Saturday night, at Mainstone community hall in the remotest depths of rural Shropshire. We were cutting up hundreds of bread rolls, cooking a huge cauldron of soup, mixing custard and unwrapping part of an enormous assignment of 500 apple pies, as well as preparing the hall for an onslaught of tired and hungry walkers. Many of us had spent the previous night in the atmospheric YHA at Clun Mill, along with several of the walkers, and enjoyed the food and hospitality of the White Horse, which was simultaneously hosting the local farmers annual Booze and Blues gig. We had also enjoyed a short circular walk to Bishop's Castle, the nearest local town, up and down along Offa's Dyke and back along the Shropshire Way. An exhilarating 12 miles but 100 miles of constant ascent and descent was another matter. We knew it was going to be a difficult night not only for the walkers but for ourselves.

Before midnight a few of us snatched a bit of sleep, while a couple sneaked off to Bishop's Castle to watch the football (they were sentenced to a hard spell of washing up). Then the first walkers trickled in. By 2am the trickle became a flood. The soup won plaudits 'Best we've ever tasted.' The custard was also very popular. Of course we did have the advantage of both a French and an Italian chef.

It was good to offer food and comfort and the odd hug to our walking friends and many continued refreshed. However many liked us so much they didn't want to move. Many walkers were cold and exhausted and chair-blocking became an issue. At 4am the sugar started to run out and had to be rationed. Disaster as sweet tea was essential. There was no mobile reception but we had two delightful radio buffs with us who kept us in contact with the outside world.

Finally the last walkers having gone through or been removed via the 'Body Bus', we were able to relax and have a sit down breakfast together. We also enjoyed another short walk before finally departing our little corner of Shropshire.

Servicing a checkpoint, in the middle of the night and in the middle of nowhere doesn't sound like the greatest way to spend a holiday weekend but as one member of our group put it 'I can't believe we had so much fun.' OK mopping the floor of the gents urinals was not one of the highpoints of the weekend (note guys the lengths we have to go) but thanks to our 13 London volunteers it was a great weekend and dare I say even more enjoyable than walking 100 miles.

Maybe we will see you again next year at a checkpoint in deepest Hackney.


Nick and Judith's Wiltshire Weekend, 1st to 3rd April

Only Nick could manage to find accommodation with a CAMRA pub closer than the showers...

It started with SHOES......Chris and Paula arrived at Clyffe Pypard YHA (attached to the Goddard Arms) in the early evening on Friday, to be greeted by a less than friendly notice to take off our shoes.....and an even less friendly landlady reinforcing the message. So we took off our shoes, passed on the offer of the 'hostel slippers' signed in and found our room, then put on our shoes to find the loo (which was outside) and took them off again to come in....this time we gritted our teath and put on the 'hostel slippers' to save our toes from frostbite. It wasn't long before the rest of the group (Nick and Judith - efficient organisers, Carol, Dave, Rob, and Steve) arrived and we cracked open Chris's delicious Dundee cake. Back from their 3 hr Friday walk they already knew the drill and took off their shoes....We dug out Adrian (our local guide from Wilts LDWA) from the bar and he filled us in on a bit of background about the area - then it was time for the bar and our evening meal - hearty fish pie and chilli followed by crumble and spotted dick!


After Chris's famous porridge and a bit of Dave's flamboyant washing up, Lonica joined us and we were ready to depart for our 23 miles around the Wiltshire country side, stopping mid morning for Paula's flapjacks and in Ogbourne St George for a marvellous pub lunch. Rolling hills and endless fields, with a bit of the Ridgeway in between, the weather was kind and the talk was of crop circles and extra terrestrial activity, fuelled by Adrian (who we think is in on the secret society). We returned tired and smiling with our 50p's ready to buy tokens that would reward us with a full 5 minutes of hot water in the outside conveniences. Then it was off to the bar for more fish pie and chilli and fish and chips and beer and wine.


Sunday started cold but warmed up nicely as we ascended sharply to Barbury Castle hill fort, for another lovely walk in the hills and the fields with a lunch stop in Avebury to admire the stone circles and eat our less-than-appetising hostel packed lunch. Before we knew it we were heading for home fuelled by the last of the cake ...a very lovely weekend with all our thanks to Nick and Judith and of course our landlady Libby.


Several White Horses were visited: Uffington on Friday afternoon, Broad Town and Hackpen on Saturday, Cherhill on Sunday.

 


 

Where we went in 2010

Lakes and Mountains, 25 to 28 June

Some 19 London group members, plus one Labrador dog, took part in this weekend, with most based at Windermere YHA and a few more in b&bs nearby, and a majority able to come up by train. Organisation this year was by Paula, Paul and Steve, with Chris helping with the menus and shopping. The hostel was only available from Friday-Monday but we still managed three good walks. The Lakes had been officially declared a drought area just a few days before - not often that happens! - and the weather remained dry, though often hazy, but with long, fine evenings, and beautiful sunsets visible from the hostel's terrace with its great views over the lake to distant fells.

On Saturday we car-shared over to Langdale, setting off from the New Hotel up to the base of the vertical wall of Pavey Ark, where we scrambled (optional) up the angled rock groove of Jack's Rake, a first such ascent for some, helped by the very dry surfaces. Continuing across to Sargeant Man, with skylarks singing overhead, we bagged several more 'Wainwrights': High Raise, Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle, Loft Crag and Pike of Stickle, to descend west to Stake Pass and then back via the long green valley of Mickleden, to the Old Dungeon Gill Hotel and a well earned drink - here trade was very brisk with many thirsty walkers. In the evening there was a lively meal out at a busy Italian restaurant down in Bowness. On Sunday, walking out from the YHA we crossed over Troutbeck valley to ascend to Garburn Pass and up along the ridgeline - with Yoke, Froswick and Ill Bell - reaching Thornthwaite Beacon for lunch, then east across into the peaceful and pastoral Kentmere valley, via Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell and Kentmere Pike, to return via the Garburn Pass for a welcome drink and a cook-in group meal of freshly-prepared chilli in the YHA. While we were out, England had managed to go out of the World Cup, though we were not sorry to miss the debacle! On Monday the remaining walkers still with energy left did a circuit of Wansfell and over it's Wainwright, again direct from the hostel, initially heading round above the lake to Ambleside, while others took advantage of the attractions of the lake and the towns nearby and of the fine garden at Holehird also just across the Troutbeck valley. The Saturday walk was 16kms and 3200 ft of ascent; Sunday 29 kms and 4800 ft; and Monday 15 kms and 2400 ft, with in all over 10,000 ft and 16 Wainwrights (out of the 214 peaks in the classic Wainwright Pictorial Guides book series). So under 200 left!

This London weekend followed a Thames Valley group trip the previous week, based in Keswick and led by Steve, and several people walked on during the intervening weekdays, with over 30 members taking part overall. Steve did all the 11 days and claiming well over 30 Wainwrights, while on the previous Saturday Paul had headed east to do a scenic Ring of the Cumbria group's annual 3 Rings of Shap event, over in the less-visited and remote Mosedale. The weather was consistently good throughout with hot sunshine in the valleys though cooler on the tops and no midges, almost ideal for hill-walking. We hope it is the same in 2011!
 

 

 

Don Reports on the Isle of Wight Weekend in May

Mike, Sue, Chris K, Chris D and Dave caught an early ferry on Friday and after a few minor mishaps walked the 17 mile coastal path from Ryde to Shanklin. I took a later train and from Sandown and walked back to Culver Point to intercept this happy group who had enjoyed good weather all day. On Friday evening we went to the very crowded Village Inn in Old Shanklin for a meal. The food was excellent but the under pressure waiter had not taken Dave's order so after some negotiating Dave finally got the meal he wanted.

At 9.30am Saturday we met with Jill Green and her Dutch friend Ton. Margaret had got a very early train from Clapham Junction and was due to meet us but because of vandalism at Liphook Station she was going to be more than an hour late so we set off without her. The weather was once again as good as we could have wished for and Jill led us on a fabulous walk with a very charming coffee stop on the beach beyond Ventnor. Margaret arrived just as we were getting ready to leave the lunch stop. The afternoon was again great with magificient views and we walked about 23 miles with 3000ft of ascent/descent. Jill joined us for the evening meal and gave us some ideas for a good Sunday walk.
           

On Sunday morning we took the 9.40am bus to Upper Ventnor and Margaret was now our leader on this un-recced walk. The weather was overcast and a little damp in the morning but much brighter in the afternoon. We had a pub stop with the fastest service ever so we did not need a full hour and we set off with the promise of brighter weather. We got to Carisbrooke Castle then into the bus station in Newport for the bus to Ryde. I had the remainder of Saturday night's kitty which we spent in the coffee lounge of the Fast Cat ferry.
 
A great weekend and Jill has a lot of ideas for 2011 and is happy to lead again for the London Group in the IOW.  


 

Where we went in 2009

Brecon Beacons, September

An extremely successful weekend, thanks to Nick and Judith who lead some fantastic walks - 10 hardy walkers baked in the sun, disappeared in the mud, battled with tufted bogs and enjoyed some of the best views in Wales. The Youth hostel was lovely, if a bit ...well...Welsh and Roberto did us proud. Transport was a squeeze and Jim was nearly sleeping in the hedge back one night but apart from that everything worked really well - thanks to everyone for making it a great weekend. My legs have just about recovered! 

 

The Alps Climb 5 10,000ft Alpine Summits in 5 days

No, we didn't climb five 10,000ft summits in 5 days as planned but, as the group was exceptionally strong and fit, instead we climbed 7 summits in 4 days. On our day off we enjoyed a rather technical via ferrata in the morning, an easy climb in the afternoon and an outstanding homemade dinner, prepared by an Englishman, in the evening. The weather was absolutely gorgeous all week.
We would like to thank Nicole for our superb and exciting high-level walking holiday on the 3,000m peaks above Val d'Isere (1,850m). Even the sun shone on the team. It must rank amongst the best short breaks ever. Steve & Peter

Photographs
 

Mountains and Lakes, June

A very successful weekend in the Lakes organised by Paul Lawrence with the help of Steve Singleton from Thames Valley group. 11 of us in total (including Chris K who celebrated her first walks since her disastrous accident!).


We met on the Thursday evening in the Queens hotel in Ambleside for a bite to eat and introductions. After a nights rest in our various accommodations - 5 of us at Windermere YHA (just refurbished and really excellent, with fantastic views over the lake and even a cappuccino machine to keep Paula happy) and the softies in B&B with Sue camping (not soft) - we met at Glenridding and set off to walk back to Ambleside via Helvellyn. Unfortunately it was too windy to do Striding Edge and a few cut the walk short via Grasmere but the rest of us continued up Fairfield and back via Hart Crag and High Pike and were rewarded with a quick half before returning for home cooked spag bol for the YHAers and a local curry for the B&Bers.

Saturday's walk was a circular from Langdale taking in Scafell Pike (the highest in England), Esk Pike, Bow Fell and The Band. The weather was kinder and we were afforded some fantastic views, although Scafell itself was FAR too busy! Again some decided to do a shorter route and some had a totally lazy day (no names mentioned!), but we all met up for a fabulous Italian in Windermere in the evening.


On Sunday we set off from the Youth Hostel to do a ridge walk to High Street (no, no shops!), taking in Ill Bell and Yoke and back via the Roman Road to Troutbeck where some of us found a pub to delay the return and most of us got very wet in the last 10 minutes of the walk (well done Denise - the only one to avoid the rain!). After an epic cottage pie for the YHAers and another lie in, we finished the weekend with an easy walk from Windermere to Ambleside and a couple went on over Wansfell in glorious sunshine with an earlier finish before our return journeys.

The Wessex 100

A great success with 22 members participating in the Saturday walk which started by cheering on the 500 competitors from Eggers School and took in the start and finish of the route, followed by a good value and well deserved evening meal in Alton. On the Sunday London Group manned checkpoint 15 at Upper Weild (93 miles) starting at 5.30am (well actually 4am thanks to Dave!) We served hot and cold drinks, toasted teacakes and other nibbles to the mad walkers, including 6 of the London Group who all finished with respectable times and in one piece! Thanks to all the checkpoint helpers and well done to the walkers, especially Rob who walked the marshals event AND supervised the night shift on the main event checkpoint, and Ken, who finished the main event then came back to the checkpoint to help out!

Lakes Trip for London LDWA – mid-June 2015

 

Explore more of the Lake District, or make you first trip, in a series of led walks during the long days of June 2015, with a long weekend based at Ambleside with public good transport options from London. Similar trips have been run for the last several years with the organisers/leaders the late Steve Singleton, and Paul Lawrence who is organising again this year (contact details below at the end). Accommodation soon gets booked up, so early booking is recommended.

 

Full day walks will be offered each day with the route selected the day before depending on weather and preferences. The walks involve substantial ascent, rocky ground and occasional scrambling options (with a walking alternative). Car shares operate to the walk starts.

 

Ambleside is a major walking centre in the central Lakes with a large range of accommodation styles (please book your own, some suggestions are below). There is good access to many valleys, ridges and major peaks, including Langdale. Euston trains go to Windermere via Preston and Oxenholme hourly taking about 3-3.5hrs.

 

Walks will be offered each day from Tuesday 16 June- Monday 23 June so you are welcome to join for those days that suit.

 

The organiser, Paul, has been doing his ‘Wainwrights’ for a number of years and is nearing completing them so plans to do the final one in the ‘round’ on the Saturday of this weekend. He has done many of them on past London and other LDWA trips to the Lakes and having now done about 200 of the 214 summits, knows the Lake District well, although the walks will not have been specifically recced.

 

The plan this year is for the walking standard to be moderate for the long weekend below, so within the capability of walkers who do typical London group walks in say the Surrey hills, but are not experienced in the British mountains, although the ground may be rougher and steeper. For the preceding weekdays, the walks will be a bit more challenging with the occasional optional scramble and may reach the highest Lakeland summits.

 

For those planning to come for a long weekend arriving on Friday, the plans are:

Friday 19 June – meet for a meal and briefing in Ambleside – meeting point below.

Saturday 20 June – full day walk probably to peaks around the Langdale valley using car shares from Ambleside. On this walk I am planning to complete my final Wainwright summit and celebrate the occasion with some drinks. The final peak is likely to be one of Rosset Pike, Lingmoor or Blea Rigg.

Sunday and Monday 21 and 22 June, full day walks (with half-day option on Monday)

 

For anyone wanting to do a challenge event in the area on the same trip, The Three Rings of Shap, a Cumbria group challenge event from Shap, is on Saturday 13 June 2015 and offers a range of options from about 18-64 miles, and completing all the 3 Rings overnight is a 100 qualifier for 2015. Entry is online via the usual LDWA Events webpages.