Lyme Regis, Dorset
A fact bobbed up from my memory, that the ancient Egyptians prescribed walking through a garden as a cure for the mad. It was a mind-altering drug we took daily
The gorse bush
For me this tour marked a bit of a turning point. As more children joined the group it was clear that the big walks we had done previously were no longer possible in such large numbers. After this the tours tend to divide into two types, the lads mountain weekends and the family rambles.
The walk took in a section of the Dorset coastline heading away from Lyme Regis towards Durdle Door. The main feature was a detour by Dave H, who returned 40 mins later covered in scratches. He’d fallen into a gorse bush (as you do) and had to cut himself out with his penknife.
Brecon Beacons, Penpont
To find new things, take the path you took yesterday
Tav’s 30th and Matthew’s 1st
One of the longer tours as we spent a week in Penpont over the new year. We celebrated New Year with a black tie do and fireworks. Two days later we celebrated Matthews 1st birthday.
The main walk was another attempt to conquer Pen-Y-Fan (2907ft). The Weather was again foul, with low cloud and driving rain. Most of the group turned back, but Fossie, Cookie and myself struggled onto the top. The only mountain that had beaten a tour walk had been bagged, Cookie celebrated by stripping off at the top. Fossie and I settled for a slug or two of whisky.
Broadhaven, Pembrokeshire
He who limps is still walking
Sunshine and boats
Unbelievable weather for November, sunny and warm. Fossie even did the walk in shorts. We did 10 miles around St Davids head, taking in fantastic coastal views and the Island of Ramsay.
We ate in The Swan in Little Haven, where the landlady was very precise ‘I will take your coats’.
On the Sunday we took a rib ride around Ramsay Island. The weather had turned, which made the trip a bit rocky. Great fun, although very wet.
Sunday lunch at the Druidiston and then home.
Interestingly Di was due to come on this trip, she started out but had to return home as Ellie was unwell. Her and Pete would have met for the 1st time on this trip.
Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking
Tanks in the Mist
Our 1st Coastal route. Unfortunately we encountered a sea mist as we set off that did not really lift all day. When it did briefly clear we had a view of a load of old disused tanks in the valley opposite, very spooky as they emerged from the mist. We reached an abandoned village before turning back.
This walk also saw our 1st junior member as Matthew Ellis took his bow (he has since notched up another 5 tours making him quite a veteran).
NB: Can’t remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but I think it’s the only place we have stayed that is no longer there. Drove past in Oct 2007 and it was being knocked down.
Yorkshire Dales - Cray
I like long walks, especially when they are taken
by people who annoy me.
Toe Sucking
Strangely this was the only time the full tour visited Cray! Although Cookie and I had stag do’s there, and I’ve been back with Penny & Mike and Cookie &Mills, while Dave E celebrated his 40th here with Lucy, the full tour never returned.
But we left a lasting memory, Kevin & Debbie believe that this is in their top 5 nights of all time! The walk was a fun scramble up Buckden Pike (2300ft) and then a walk along the Cray waterfalls. Cookie graced the occasion by throwing himself into the gill opposite the pub in the 1st 30 seconds of the walk.
An early finish led to a heavy night. Dave E taught a very tipsy Kate what incremental sales meant for her coming TV performance, and then Libby took foot massage to new levels by toe sucking Saz, then me, and anyone else that was up for it. Then
Kevin produced his udder cream………
