November 2006

This is the way we saw November. If you don't agree, or want to tell your version of events, please e-mail your Blog to lynne@leedsmetwalkingclub.co.uk

Marsden Brewery Day Walk - 19th November 2006

After the train and the bus we finally made it to Marsden, and once the car-travelling members had arrived it was time to set off across the moor. Weather was on our side and the first half of the walk was beautiful. As we turned across the rocks towards our lunch stop, the wind picked up and it was quite a challenge to find somewhere sheltered enough for a lunch stop!

After a very brief break, we cracked on, trying to warm back up again. After a slight indecision on which route to take we decided to head straight down into Marsden, rather than past the beach and the river crossing...the sheep path was an alternative route, and nobody but Lynne, Cathy and Beci were any the wiser about the (slightly dodgy) choice of route. It all ended up well in the end though, as we found a footpath into the village, past the temporary bridge (not sure what that was about?) and into the brewery. It was busy in the brewery, but some of us found seats and just about everyone enjoyed a pint or two of the local produce.

The train times back were slightly confusing, but we all managed to catch a train to get us back to Leeds reasonably early and without having to stand out in the rain too long. An alternative take on the old classic, but a good day nonetheless!

10th November 2006 - Pub Crawl
The attempt to update the traditional pub crawl and take in a few different pubs failed miserably! The suggested "Ashes" meeting spot had closed down, and it was back to good old O'Neills...

Despite the plan to move on to the next pub quickly, the slow arrival of people held the tour back - although nobody was complaining! After a trip next door to the Vic, it was on to Oxygen, for a little cossack dancing and vodka-snorting...Chucked out at 2am when it closed, we were lost for somewhere to go - even the old-faithful Vodka Rev was kicking out. So it was back home for a good night's sleep...

A 3-pub pub crawl - got to be a record!

The Lake District - 3rd-5th November 2006
Friday
We got off to another prompt start (despite the late arrival of the minibus - we done Will!) and got to Coniston relatively early, just before 9pm. The vast warren-like accommodation of St.Andrew's youth centre left everyone exploring, trying to find the best rooms, playing table tennis and pool in the games room,and tucking into a couple of beers.

After a brief trip to the pub (conveniently 50m from the bunkhouse!) it was back to the dining room for more beer, stickers and ninja fighting. Not sure what happened after that, so we'll move swiftly on to Saturday...

Saturday
It was an early start Saturday morning. The club was up on time (as ever!) and ready to go shortly after 9am. Unfortunately the hard walk had left shortly before 9am, so a quick reorganisation was made and the group split into easy and medium walkers.

The medium (or hard, depending on your activity the night before!) walk set off from the bunkhouse towards Wetherlam. Building work meant that an alternative path had to be found right from the start, and shortly after we were again searching for the correct path up the side of the mountain. This problem was soon resolved though, as most of the remainder of the walk was not on a path at all...(well, what do you expect with Petal leading it!). The views across the valleys were incredible despite the cloud cover. As we headed up the ridge and scrambled to the top, we entered into the low cloud and visibility was reduced. The group split, some braved the wind to reach the summit whilst the others headed back down to the valley. The trip down was fairly un-eventful, apart from Matthew's fancy acrobatics, which were impressive, but rather painful (hope your ankle gets better soon Matt!).

Back in the village some headed back for a shower, whilst the rest headed to the Black Bull for a couple of pints of the local tipple, soon to be joined by the other group back from the summit.

Dinner (curry & pasta with apple/rhubarb crumble for pud) was ready nice and early and was more or less cleared by 8pm. Back over to the Black Bull, the club took over and entire section of the pub. After closing time, many took the chance to catch up on some sleep and hit the sack. Others partied on through the night and into the morning, to the amusement of some, and dismay of others trying to sleep!

Sunday
The bunkhouse was cleaned and emptied by 9.30am - a brilliant result, thanks to everyone for chipping in and helping out!

The group again split into 3 groups, this time 2 easies and a medium. The medium walk headed to Langdale to climb Jake's Rake, wilst the short, steep easy walk crossed over to Grasmere to walk up to Loughrigg.

The long, flat easy walk started in Chapel Stile on the Cumbrian way, following the river round past Elterwater on to Skelwith Force waterfalls. After Skelwith Bridge we headed back down the valley to Colwith Force, where we stopped for lunch. The path meandered through woodland and fields, past disused quarries, through Little Langdale and back to Chapel Stile, in time for a quick drink and bit of rugby before meeting with the other walkers to head back to Leeds.

Back in Leeds for 7pm left plenty of time for the traditional curry. This trip saw a large turnout and it was 10pm before the full, satisfied and very tired walkers finally headed home for a good night's sleep.

Thanks to everyone for making a great weekend!