Nuneaton Hill Walking and Mountaineering Club

Camping in the lake District – 12th – 14th August 2016 by Helen Keyte 

Colin and Dave C were the first to arrive and set up camp at Gillside Farm, Glenridding.   Nick and I arrived later as we had to take a bit of a detour on the way as the Kirkstone Pass was blocked for a short time.  

This was actually quite fortunate for me as it meant that I could get some help pitching my tent in rather windy conditions!   Tents up and a cup of tea made, we relaxed for a while debating whether to cook at the camp or go to the nearby Travellers Rest.   A heavy downpour decided it!   The Travellers Rest it would be.   After our meal we returned to our camp just as Keith H and Anna arrived.   The site had filled up considerably while we were away, the only pitches left being somewhat soggy.   Tents pitched, they headed off for a meal while we had ‘refreshments‘ in my tent.  

The rain continued through the night but it did not detract from our walk the next day.   Keith H, Anna, Helen and Dave C walked from Hartsop, taking in Hartsop Dodd, Stoney Cove Pike, a challenging steep descent and ascent at Threshthwaite Mouth, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, Rampsgill Head, High Raise, The Knott, and Rest Dodd.   We then descended to Hayeswater and continued down Hayeswater Gill, having to cross the river lower down as the usual crossing had been destroyed by flooding late last year.    A most enjoyable 12 mile walk despite the wind and rain at times.  

The views were stunning.   We even saw some bright red Swaledale sheep.  An unusual sight caused by the farmer being over enthusiastic with his markings.   They should, at least, be safe from sheep rustlers!    

Colin enjoyed his walk from the campsite to Hole in the Wall then a descent down to Grisedale and back to the camp via the very pretty Lanty Tarn.  

Nick also took in Lanty Tarn before carrying on to climb some steep slopes beyond there. 

After a hot shower and change we enjoyed another evening in the local pub.

On Sunday we awoke to a dry, albeit rather cloudy day.   Keith H, having had two nights in a damp tent decided, after much thought and deliberation, to dispose of his much loved but much past its ‘sell by date’ tent!   I am sure he had a tear in his eye as he put it in the bin.   

Dave C also decided to part with his tent.   He had been given it only to find that it also leaked.  This was the first and last time he used it hence the reason he called it his ‘One Night Stand’!  

An excellent weekend and we look forward to another weekend in Patterdale next April.

The Mary Ann Evans Hospice is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year with a series of events including a walk which they had invited us to join. We could not for various reasons join their walk so decided to do one of our own. We had not done a charity event for some time so this seemed like a good opportunity to raise some money for our local Hospice. We designed a 25 mile walk around Nuneaton to reflect the 25th Anniversary of the Hospice and to give our members a bit of a challenge.

Keith, Michele, Martyn and his dog, Helen, Keith H, Anna and her 11 year old daughter Monique and myself all set out at 7 am from Sandon Park, Weddington heading for Hartshill Hayes via Caldicot for the first leg of the journey. Section 2 followed the Centenary Way from the Oldbury Road to Griff Hollows where we joined the canal for the third  section, along, first the Coventry and then the Ashby canals and over the fields to Higham on the Hill and finally down the Weddington Country path back to Sandon Park where we were met by Natalie from the Hospice for a photo shoot. We completed the walk at 5.30 pm.

Many thanks to Derek and Colin for their support meeting us with water and snack bars to keep us going.

Photos of us at the beginning and during the walk. I will update with the finishing photo and amount raised when these are available.

Elidir Fawr

Happy campers – Nick, Colin, Helen,  David, Keith H, Anna, Steve and Martin

On Nick’s advice the original designated campsite below Tryfan for the above weekend was abandoned in favour of Mrs Mullane’s field opposite the Vaynol Arms in Nant Peris.  Mrs Mullane is a great believer in paying for what you get, which is not a lot at £6 a night.  (Future campers please note – bring your own bog roll)

As the last to arrive on Friday evening Anna and I headed for the curry house at Llanberis while the rest of the group tucked into camp fodder.  Later that night we joined the rest of the group for a few drinks in the Vaynol Arms.  It was leaving the pub that the rain and wind began and which would not cease until we packed up to leave on Sunday morning.  Early Saturday morning we were joined by Steve and Martin (plus hounds), who had just arrived by car.  Stepping out of the vehicle they didn’t even bother to pitch their tents due to the torrential rain.

Our plan of action for the walking group (Keith H, Anna, Steve, Martin, Helen and David) was to ascend Elidir Fawr, Y Garn and possibly the Glyders before making our way back to Nant Peris.  The rain and later wind was incessant and at no time could you take off your waterproofs without being totally drenched.  On the top of Elidir Fawr Anna was not feeling too well, but we all decided to press on and take a well-defined path (on the map!) just before the zig zags below Y Garn which would shorten the route back to Nant Peris.  (Future walkers please note – this path does not exist)

Using martin’s GPS co-ordinates and Steve’s excellent field craft we came off the route roughly where this path should have been and headed across and down over rough terrain to bring us back to the campsite.  Totally soaked and with my tent blown over and flooded we had a quick shower and headed for Pete’s Eats in Llanberis for teas and cake.  Steve and Martin decided quite rightly camping that night was a non-starter and after a hot drink headed home.

Later that evening the remainder of the group met up at the Vaynol Arms for an enjoyable meal and drinks.  Saturday nights wind and rain was as bad if not worse than the previous evening, so Anna kindly rented out her tent to me while she and Helen shared.  Early Sunday morning we packed up during a brief lull in the rain and headed home, only seeing and feeling the warmth of the sun when crossing into England.

Keith H.

Warm sunshine greeted us at the Gower for our weekend away. Hardingsdown Bunkhouse was superb well situated and with excellent facilities. Our party consisted of 10 club members, including Emma and Anthony who had only got married the previous weekend and three guests.

There was some superb walking to be had. Gail and I arrived at Mid day on Friday and went to Rhossili for a short walk along the headland, stopping for a cuppa at the café at one of the caravan sites  before returning then back along the beautiful sandy beach. The area and views were magnificent and you could see why this area had been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Saturday dawned fair and bright and we had another beautiful day. The group split Colin going birdwatching, Nick Anthony and Emma on an shorter walk whilst the rest of us set off on a circular walk from the bunkhouse to Llanmadoc, Rhossili and then back to the bunkhouse. A distance of 14.3 miles. (Elevation gain 642 m and elevation loss 641m), over meadows, tracks headlands and beaches. Back at the bunkhouse we all enjoyed  drinks on the terrace at the back of the bunkhouse, followed by a group meal prepared by Michele and an entertaining evening with more drinks outside on the terrace.

Sunday was also fine and sunny and the group again split, some going climbing, others touring the area sight seeing and a third group doing the Oxwich Bay Walk. A walk of 10.2 miles. Again stunning beaches and scenery all enhanced by the sunny weather.

6 Members were out on the day and we all met at the National Trust car park in Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton to start the walk. The walk took us up the valley to join the main Shropshire Way footpath and along the ridge to Pole Bank (516m) out highest point of the day. On a clear day you can see as far as the Brecon Beacons and the Malverns, but unfortunately for us it was a bit hazy so not such extensive views. We continued along the track and descended down Minton Hill to the tiny but picturesque village of Minton. From here we took the footpath to Queensbatch Mill, crossed the railway on the level crossing and the busy A49 to a track up to Oakwood, and the footpath up to Ragleth Hill (398m), ascending the hill is a bit steep for a while but does level off as you walk along the ridge descending through a wooded area and then out onto a housing estate, recrossing the road and the railway and back into Church Stretton, and back to the carding Mill Valley where we had a well deserved cup of tea and for some a cake before returning back to Nuneaton.

Distance 12 Miles. Ascent 748m.