Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

The Isle of Harris was the destination for the club holiday trip. We took the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway and had a super smooth crossing with dolphins and other sea birds spotted on the way. We had booked two cottages at Borve, on the west coast south of Tarbert. they were beautifully converted farm buildings, The Stables, with the red roof had three bedrooms whilst The Byre, with the green roof two. They were in a great location with access to a lovely sandy beach only a few minutes’ walk away.

We were very lucky with the weather which although cloudy at times remained predominantly dry throughout the week. There was plenty of good walking within a few miles from the cottages. A couple of hills were climbed, namely Bleabhal and  Roineabhalas. Photo shows Colin at the trig of Bleabhal.

As well as some low-level walks, taking in parts of the Hebridean Way, and the headland where there is a Victorian lighthouse. Harris is home to 20 pairs of Golden eagles, so we were always on the lookout for these spectacular birds with varying degrees of success.

As well as walking we took the short but very interesting ferry journey to the island of Berneray where there was a lovely restaurant serving local sea foods and other local products, and lots of birds and seals in the harbor. The sun shone and it made for a great day out.

There was a lot of interesting sites to see on this beautiful island, including the traditional Black houses, ancient churches and several standing stone circles like the ones pictured here at Callanish.

Harris is very unspoiled with beautiful white sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery, it is sparsely inhabited, few shops, lots of single-track roads and no bars or restaurants outside of the towns. It is quite mountainous and rocky in contrast to the Isle of Lewis to which it is attached, which is relatively flat with expanses of open moorland, lots of croft and industry.

Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

There were six of us on the trip and we all arrived at the Canoe hire centre at Symonds Yat for our safety briefing and to be fitted with our paddles and buoyancy aids before being transported to Hoarwithy where our canoes awaited us. This was a two day trip, Day 1 Hoarwithy to Ross on Wye ( 12 miles) and Day 2 Ross on Wye to Symonds Yat (14 miles).

Because of the hot weather the river was a bit low in places but passed through some beautiful scenery . There was no where to purchase food or drink on day 1 so we were advised to take a packed lunch which we ate on one of the many shingle beaches, before continuing to Ross on Wye Rowing Club where we had booked camping for the night. A much needed drink and meal in Ross on Wye was a lovely end to day 1.

Up early and on the river by 9 am to continue our trip. There was a café and Pub on this section where we stopped for lunch and some of us took a cooling dip in the river. Being the only launching site on this stretch it was very busy, as was the river from here to Symonds Yat. On reaching Symonds Yat we were met by the Hire Company and transported back to our cars.

The Wye valley is very picturesque and there are ducks, kingfishers and other wild life to look out for on the way.  A very enjoyable trip.

SWALEDALE 7th-10th JULY 2022

A great campsite was found at Muker in Swaledale.  Good facilities, well organised and good value.  The fact that the weekend was fine and sunny made it even better.
Colin and Martin arrived in Thursday and found the nearby pub in Muker, which was only a short walk away, very satisfactory.
On Friday we parked in Keld.  We walked along the Swale to Ravenseat where the farm were selling refreshments.  Afterwards there was a steady climb over fields and moor to the highest pub in the UK the Tan Hill Inn.  Here there was time for lunch before we descended the Pennine Way back to Keld. 10 miles.
That evening the rest of the team – Keith & Michele, Mo and Derek & Eileen arrived.
On Saturday five of us set off from the campsite for Muker Common and Lovely Seat.  Once we lost the path the moor was a little heavy going uphill but Lovely Seat 675m was a fine viewpoint.  Back on a path we descended to a road before continuing on a path to Great Shunner Fell 715m.  It was very warm on the descent but we soon reached the campsite where there was a cool drink.  10.4 miles 600m of ascent.  Derek and Eileen went to Teesdale where they also had a fine day.
On Sunday Keith, Michele and Mo walked from Reeth whilst Colin, Derek and Eileen went to Potteric Carr, Doncaster in search of some rare birds.

Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

MOEL SIABOD 6th August 2022

Colin, Martyn, Mo, Anna and Monique arrived at Pont-Cyfyng, Capel Curig ready for a 10 am start.  The weather was fine and sunny as we climbed the track to the quarry and then to Llyn y Foel.  From here we started the ascent of the easy scramble but enjoyable Daear Ddu ridge which leads directly to the top of Moel Siabod.  Here there were fine views of Snowdon and many other nearby mountains as well as the Irish Sea and Cardigan Bay.
The first part of the descent was easy but the rocks beyond were tedious.  Descending a little we got back on to grass before the steeper eroded section eventually led back to our starting point at about 4pm.
A very enjoyable day.  The first time we have travelled this far for a day out since the beginning of Covid.

Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

According to the programme this should have been a day trip to Moel Siabod in North Wales but  as there were only a couple of members available it was changed to Mam Tor to save  on travelling. Day a bit cloudy but perfect weather for walking. Starting at Castleton the route is along well defined footpaths to the 1696 ft summit of Mam Tor. Magnificent views over the moorland.

Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

A super weekend with superb weather, dry and sunny but cool enough for the snow to remain on top of the highest mountains. To stretch our legs after the drive up we did a 5.5 mile (8.9 km) walk  to High Rigg (212m) from Legburthwaite on the Friday afternoon before returning to the bunkhouse. The bunk house is situated above the White horse Inn and at the foot of Blencathra which we climbed on the Saturday. Steve one of our members who moved to the Lakes 18 months ago came to join us for the day. The footpath leads straight onto the hills from the back of the bunkhouse and at Scales tarn we made the decision, although sharp edge was dry and snow free, to go left up the snowy path to the summit. Because of the fine bright weather we got fantastic views as we walked along the ridge before descending into the village of Threlkeld for some refreshment before our return. A lovely dinner at the The White Horse rounded off a great mountain day.

The circular from Ashness bridge to High Seat (608m) and over Bleaberry Fells filled our Sunday morning, again we were blessed with superb weather and got fantastic views over Derwent water and beyond before returning home.

The Weaver Hills are the very end of the Pennine ridge. Built on carboniferous limestone and the walk passes several large quarries, some still in use and tumuli showing evidence of its pre-historic past. The walk, which is just short of 11 miles, starts at a very convenient car park in the the little hamlet of Blore and proceeds on reasonably well marked footpaths over meadows and through several villages to reach a small summit “The Walk” 1217ft (370m) before returning, via footpaths, bridleways and roads to the car park. It was a lovely fine spring day which was a bonus making a grand day out.

Happy New Year. We are now through the worst of the pandemic and have put together a programme of events for the coming year.

January

The Long Mynd in Shropshire on the 22 January kicked off our walking programme for the year with an 11 mile walk, 580 meters of accent and a Pub half way round, what a great start to the year.

Loch Lomond29th January – 5th February

Loch Lomond was the venue for our “snow” meet 29th January -5th February, although this year unfortunately, there was not much snow to be had. Staying in Holiday lodges on the shore of loch Lomond gave us a good base to explore the surrounding mountains. The weather was very wet and windy, having two named storms during the week, but during the week we did managed to get out every day either on the mountain or on a lower level walk according to conditions.

Although any snow we had was restricted to the higher mountains crampons did have to be deployed at the summit of Ben Vorlich.  Although the weather was not the best, the lodges were warm and comfortable making it a very enjoyable trip.

February

Hartshill Hayes and Oldbury quarries was the route for our walk on the 12th February. The weather forcast was not too promising but the rain held off long enough for us to complete the 8 mile circuit. A little bit of everything on this walk, woods, canal tow path and some open hilly land.

Unfortunately for the early part of the year we were in lockdown so we were not able to meet up as a group. However we did keep in touch with each other over ” zoom” having a quiz on a Tuesday evening and an online meeting on a Thursday evening. Not quite what we were used to but it was the best we could do in the circumstances.

However come April we started getting out and about again. Using our own cars, keeping it local and  being aware of the ongoing covid restrictions, we started walking again.

April

Three local day walks took place in April. The first on the 3rd April 2021, when four of our members did an 8 mile walk around Market Bosworth. Paths were a bit muddy at times but the weather was kind to us. The second was on the 10th April 2021, a very interesting 8.1 mile walk around the Shakerstone area, followed on the 17th April by a 10 mile walk in the Birchley Heath area.  After all the problems with covid restrictions it was good to be able to get out and about again even if we were staying local.

May 

The walk on the 1st May took us back to the Market Bosworth area, for a 8.6 mile circular taking a different route to the one done in April. The second walk that month was on the 29th May, when we did a lovely 9 mile walk starting from Brinklow.

June

On 5th June we made an ascent of The Wrekin in Shropshire, as we had often seen the hill from the motorway but on speaking to other club members not many of them had actually climbed it. It was a warm sunny day and the views from the top were superb. We walked 7.7 miles with 560 meters of ascent, our first real hill of the year. A second walk took place on the 26th June, a 7.6 circular through the Sence Valley National Forest.

July

We started with a couple of local walks, one on the 10th July along the cloud trail in Leicestershire and the second a 7.7 mile circular in the Hartshill area, before again heading for the hills with a trip to Waterhouses in the Peak District on the 31st, an 11.5 mile circular with 580 meters of ascent.

August

The 7th of August found us on the Bredon Hill for a 10.7 mile circular with 520 meters of ascent. A bit of a showery day so we were all pleased to get a hot drink at the local church, which was holding a fete, on our return to Elmley Castle. From the 13th-17th August we had a camping weekend at Horton in Ribblesdale. A nice quiet camp site with good facilities and the weather stayed fine for us. Several walks were done and many of the the surrounding hills,  Pen y Ghent, Ingleborough, Twisletone  were climbed over the weekend. Following enquiries from some prospective new members a 9 mile walk on Cannock Chase was organised for the 28th August as an introduction to the club.

September

The Derbyshire Edges and Eyam were the venues for a day walk on 4th September, covering 12.7 miles with 517 meters of ascent.                                                                                  The 11th – 18th September was our annual holiday week. We had booked a flat in the Manor House and a couple of holiday cottages for our stay on the Alvie Estate, Cairngorms, Scotland. We had lovely weather and were able to get out and about on every day. Amongst the mountains climbed that week were Meall nan Eagan (658m) and Ben Mcdui (1309m)  to name just two. There were also walks around lochs, through the Abernethy forests, bird watching trips and visits to local tourist attractions. Something to suit everyone. It is a lovely setting with plenty to do and see in the area.                                    Not everyone could come to Scotland so a walk to the Malvern hills was arranged for 25th September, the walk which turned into 11.6 miles with 800 meters of ascent, catered for those who still wanted to get some hill walking in.

October

The 9th October 2021 was a Brown Clees day walk. Although the programme advertised the walk as the Brown Clee, the walk we did was Titterstone Clee. The 10.3 mile circular walk started at Doddington passed through Cleeton St Mary and up to Clee Hill summit where there are some great views and some very interesting and extensive ruins, evidence of its mining past. The weather was kind to us keeping fine all day.

November

Novemberfest, 12th – 14th November 2021 went ahead as planned. We stayed at the Sheen Bunkhouse in Derbyshire and enjoyed a variety of walks in the Derbyshire Dales, some along rivers others over the hills, the weather was kind to us with some welcome winter sunshine, although it was very wet underfoot in places. We had, as is our custom, a group meal (socially distanced) and celebratory drinks on the Saturday evening. It was a very safe, successful and enjoyable weekend.

December

To end the year on 30th December we had an 11.4 mile walk over the Burton Dassett hills. It had been a bit of a strange year for everyone but I think we made the best of it and got out and about as much as possible.

2019/20

Other Events – all welcome!

And there’s much more than this going on. Visit us on a Thursday at Attleborough Liberal Club, Bull Street, Nuneaton from 8:30 pm.

For impromptu activities ring Colin on 024 7637 2587 if you can’t get down for a drink and a chat.