CYHA News

Going down a Storm

After one of the wettest June’s ever recorded, we were keeping our fingers crossed for a better outlook for July. The forecast for our Pelhams walk was frankly less than favourable, and with many of us waking up to heavy rain it really wasn’t looking too good. Eleven of us demonstrated our stiff upper lips by congregating at the Brewery Tap in Furneux Pelham (to those in the know it’s pronounced Fer-nix rather than the more poncey Fer-noh).

Only Mike & Cress whimped out due to the rain, which meant Dave and I were forced to understudy for them. We marched purposefully at the front of the group, but could help but feel like pale (and rather flabby) imitations of the real thing.

As walks go I have to say this one really rated highly. We had gorgeous sunshine for most of the day (a bit of a miracle given the unpromising start) and the route took us along green lanes, leafy footpaths and well-marked field paths. The waymarking was generally excellent and Hertfordshire CC should be congratulated for the many spanky new gates we encountered enroute. The main navigational challenges arose due to the lush vegetation spawned by the recent weather, which served to obscure signs, crossing points, even whole paths. Still, this is all part of the fun!

Dave cunningly organised the walk to include at least two pubs, and we really needed them. All that rain followed by hot sun, it was like walking in a sauna, so we needed that extra beer just to boost our fluid levels (honest!). The humidity built all day until about four-ish we started to hear the ominous rumblings of thunder. These continued to threaten, getting louder and louder, until about quarter of an hour from the end of the walk big drops of rain started to plop around our heads. Luckily the last part of the walk was along a shady green lane so we were sheltered from the worst of it. In fact I only really got wet crossing from the car to the pub for my end-of-walk drink. Excellent.

Ali

Hole in None

A handful of brave souls ventured out on a cold and blustery July evening, all eager to play a fine round of Pitch and Putt golf. After a brief debate as to whether anyone really was in the mood for hitting little white balls about, a decision was made to head straight to the 19^th hole. The hole in question was the Black Bull PH where several drinks later the cold and blustery summer weather didn’t seem to matter so much. A shame the golf was off but all would agree that a splendid pub evening more than made up for it. Thanks to Dave J for doing the organising and for all who turned up.

Helen

Hoop, Stock and Barrel

Thanks to Jim for leading an energetic and scenic cycle ride around Billericay and Stock on a lovely sunny evening. We arrived at the Hoop in Stock in plenty of time to sample some of their fine range of ales (including their exclusive “Hoop, Stock and Barrel” from the Brentwood Brewing Company).

And I’ve just noticed that this page has rather a lot about pubs and not enough about healthy outdoor activities. Well, at least we sat in the pub garden, does that count?

Dave P

Stoned in Avebury

Nearly everyone had the journey from hell en route to Avebury, thanks to hideous traffic on the motorways. However, having arrived, we kicked off our shoes (by order!) and settled ourselves in at Clyffe Pypard hostel. Without further ado, most headed off to the attached Goddard Arms to drink away the stresses and strains of the drive. A few hangovers were apparent the following morning but a brisk 6½ mile walk from Clyffe Pypard to Bicknoll Castle soon blew the cobwebs away. Or so I am informed……...I went off with a friend and had a lovely day in Lacock visiting the Abbey, Gardens and a rather fine NT teashop. Apart from a near miss with a rubberised egg (?!) the day passed without hitch and we met up with the rest of the group back at the hostel for a well needed cuppa.

In the evening, Jim served what I do believe was the tastiest chicken and coconut curry in the world and despite the final episode of Dr Who being aired while we ate, we all managed to stay seated and not cower behind the nearest sofa. After wolfing down the curry, followed by a rather delicious fruit salad, we spent the evening supping beer and chilling out while, in the neighbouring room, the punters of the Goddard Arms had their final cigarettes prior to the smoking ban coming into force at midnight.

On Sunday, Dave P led a splendid walk around Avebury and the Ridgeway. We started out in Avebury, which has the largest known stone circle in the world. The outer stone circle, originally composed of at least 98 stones of which only 27 remain, encloses two smaller circles. These were probably constructed first, around 2600 BC, while the large outer ring and earthwork dates from 2500 BC. The stones themselves are sarsen stones, some over twenty feet high and weighing as much as 40 tons. Originating from bedrock 2 miles away, they were hewn and then dragged or sledded from their quarry site to their current positions.

After a good mooch around we headed out of Avebury and up to the stone-lined burial chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow from where we could see views of Silbury Hill, the largest man-made hill in Europe (no one knows why it was constructed), as well as a rather contrived crop circle in a neighbouring wheat field. We enjoyed some tasty sandwiches at West Kennet before dodging the drops along the Ridgeway back to the Avebury NT tea shop via a complex of timber post rings and stone circles (now concrete markers) known as the Sanctuary.

After stopping for tea and waving goodbye to some of the group, four of us decided to have a stroll along the stone Avenue which leads from the Avebury Circle up to the Sanctuary. It turned out to be a most divine experience when we stumbled upon a group Diviners who encouraged us to get involved. The vision of Gerry and Dave J holding their rods aloft as they wandered close to the stones waiting for them to twirl and criss-cross was quite a sight to behold! Myth, magic or mumbo-jumbo – you decide. I’m sure all who went will join me in saying a thank you to Jim for organising such a great trip and all those who ensured we were so well fed over weekend.

Helen