CYHA News

Rain, Rain Go Away  

Well, I guess the sunshine we experienced in Scotland was just too good to be true. July has proved to be a much soggier experience. After the raining off of our midsummer cycle ride, we thought it couldn't possibly happen again - yet there we were on Wednesday night waiting in the Three Elms for the rain to stop. Some hope. For hours we were forced to sit supping our beers, listening to the rain pouring down whilst gale-force winds lashed the building.

The weather was a little better for Ian's Birthday weekend at Streatley-on-Thames hostel, but we still got the opportunity to test our waterproofs with the odd heavy shower. Still, it all helped us build up an appetite for a delicious (and vast) birthday meal down the pub.

So you'd think that there could be no more rain in the sky. Surely the clouds must have been wrung dry? But no, there was still just a bit more water up there to enliven our walk around the Crouch crinkles. Still, as grotty and drizzly as the walk started out, it finished in blazing sunshine. Hopefully a sign for the rest of the summer?

Ali

Wild Night Out

On Saturday 3rd July several of us attended the Bat and Wildlife Evening at Hanningfield Visitors Centre. This proved to be a fascinating event and one we must all thank Marion for organising. We arrived about 7.00 pm and were introduced to the Visitors Centre by the resident warden and her assistant. After a description of the Centre and a few notes about the evening ahead of us we trooped off to the campsite and erected our tents. A welcome cup of tea followed and then it was a walk in the forest.

We firstly inspected humane traps (unfortunately all empty) and restocked them with fresh larvae and other goodies relished by dormice and their cousins. We then walked to some brooks running into the reservoir and examined the pond life using some pans provided by our guides. Water Boatmen abounded, as did other insect life. Then it was back into the forest.

By this time twilight had come and gone and it was truly night. Our guides had supplied us with head torches which came in great use. They had also issued some of us with big hand torches that could trace their antecedents to car headlamps, and bat detectors. These latter modulated any bat sounds detected to the human sound range. Our guides directed those issued with the big torches to shine them into trees to attract moths. Very quickly the bat detectors started to emit clicking sounds which increased in tempo as the bats homed in on the prey, and in moments we were treated to the sight of bats zooming around the trees as they feasted. The bats were small and moved incredibly quickly: so quickly that their appearance was akin to movement under strobe lamps. You would see a flicker of tiny wings and then the bat was gone on its next sweep of the banquet area. Our guides advised that they were Daubenton's bats, which predominate in forested lake environments (see weblink).

At this point I recalled an account Tschiffeley had written during his trek through lowland Bolivia in the 1920s about bats settling on the scalps of the unwary at night and drawing a sip of blood from the neck of the unfortunate host. In true British fashion I dismissed such a fanciful notion and directed my attention once more to the wheeling spectacle (after first ensuring that my hat was still in place and my collar was fully turned-up)

The next stop was a hide on the shore of the reservoir. Here, using the lamps again, we saw more bats patrolling the still water.

After a while witnessing this display it was time to test the canvas, so it was back to the tents, where we settled down for the night. Morning found us up at about 0700, with claims and counter-claims about which tent generated the most snoring. (I never snore so I could claim to be blameless). Then it was back into the forest to check the traps. Out of eighteen we set three had closed and each of these yielded a different prize. One contained a wood mouse, another a shrew and the third a vole. After inspecting them we released them and then it was back to the visitor centre for a very welcome cooked breakfast.

Conclusion : a very interesting and thoroughly worthwhile night out. I'm looking forward to the next one.

John M

See also :

Hidden Treasures of Essex(search for hanningfield)

First Nature - Bats

From Disraeli to Dinmore

Ian's birthday party at Streatley-on-Thames was great fun and everyone present enjoyed themselves. The weather was very good, so we were able to combine some good walking with the party. Getting to Streatley was a bit difficult owing to various road works (where would we be without the Highways Agency?), but everyone managed to get to the hostel. This proved to be an imposing 19th-Century pile built by a member of Disraeli's cabinet. It stands proud above the Thames and in the twilight you could almost see the men in top hats in the garden discussing matters of state (or the best place in town to get a drink).

On Saturday morning some of Ian's friends from the Exeter group arrived and we set off en masse for a walk along the banks of the Thames. This was very pleasant and a world away from the Thames I used to stroll along during my lunch hour when I worked near the Tower. We walked past banks of reeds and braces of ducks, and beneath a splendid 19th-Century twin railway bridge carrying the line from Reading to Oxford. This bridge may be one of Brunel's masterpieces. We then arrived in Wallingford and availed ourselves of refreshments.

After getting back to the hostel we set out for the pub. Claire had worked hard to decorate it with streamers and 'Happy Birthday' signs. Our fare was shortly served and truly table strained 'neath loaded platter. Wine flowed, and then a very tasty afters. At close, Ian thanked everybody for coming and opened his presents, which had a railway-air to them. We left the pub around closing time and walked straight (or perhaps not so straight) back to the hostel.

On Sunday we had a walk above Goring. The weather remained good and we were able to take refreshments outdoors in a local hostelry on the route. A very pleasant weekend and one which shall be remembered for a long time.

John M

Ian's Half-Century at Streatley

Despite showery weather, we celebrated Ian's birthday with walks along the Thames and in the surrounding hills. The meal on the Saturday night was excellent, and we presented Ian with a present from the group: "The Railways of Great Britain: A Historical Atlas" (two huge volumes - it was quite a task to keep it hidden from him!).

Dave P

Just a few railway lines to say "Thanks" to all those who came to Streatley, I think a good time was had by all including the odd strangers who just turned up for the food! Many thanks to everyone for the Railway History Map book, I now have all metric O/S maps for the British mainland (all be it in Black and White and overlaid with railways as built from 1790 onwards and weighing in at 6 Kg!). A personal thank you to DP and Claire Longden who conspired together for the present and meal arrangements. Here's to the next 50, but I think George will beat me to it.

Ian

Crouch Crinkles

I personally enjoy walking besides water, be it sea or rivers, and over the years have walked much of the footpath that follows the sea wall of the River Crouch. But there was just one stretch I hadn't completed - the bit to the east of South Woodham Ferrers, so in order to satisfy my curiosity I suggested a walk that would take in the mudflats and creeks around Stow Maries.

It was a hardy few who joined me and set out under grey skies and drizzle. We followed the track of the disused railway that used to run between S.W.Ferrers and Maldon. Then there was a stretch of field path, extremely overgrown with a treacherously broken stile to negotiate, before we dropped down onto the sea wall for unbroken views of mudflats and incoming tides.

The rain eased and we decided this was the perfect time to have our picnic, sitting on the riverbank watching the boat traffic and the antics of the water-skiers. The weather improved as the afternoon wore on and sun made a brief appearance as we neared the walk's end, at Marsh Farm's well-stocked teashop. Thanks to new member Dave, who treated us to tea and cake all round.

Marion

Bikes from Billericay

Mike chose the right evening for his cycle ride around Billericay and Stock - one of the few dry July evenings! Not having cycled anywhere for months I found it a bit of a struggle keeping up with Mike (who was just back from his high-altitude training in the Alps) and Marion (who'd recently completed a charity ride). And to add to the humiliation, there was a cycle race taking place so we had brightly-coloured "professional" cyclists zipping past at incredible speed!

Dave P

Robert's Magic Waterproof Trousers

Fear not when storms approach,

Dread not the darkening clouds.

Make Robert keep his trews on

And sunshine will abound.

Forbid him take them off

Don't let him pack away.

For these trews are truly magic

And ensure a sunny day.

Just don't let him get the sun cream out.

Ali

Country Walking Group of the Month

If you read Country Walking magazine you might like to look out for the September issue (published 20^th August) which will be featuring Chelmsford YHA as "walking group of the month" - stand by for an influx of new members!!