CYHA News

WOT NO Disaster?

Ever since our millennium trip, each New Year trip has been visited by some disaster or another. But this time our trip to Dulverton in Somerset was unusual in that nothing much went wrong. Cressida, Mike and Fergus unfortunately had to cancel due to illness, there were a few coughs and sneezes spread around, and a staircase took Jane by surprise, but there were no plagues, power-cuts, visits from the emergency services or other disasters. This rounds off another cracking year with CYHA and what could be better than to think about all the wonderful stuff we have planned for 2007 – see programme for details.

Ali

Five Days on Exmoor

Thursday: The first day of our New Year trip to Dulverton, and the weather was looking good, so we made a dash for the highest point of Exmoor, Dunkery Beacon.  At 1704ft, you can drive almost to the top, but we chose to walk from Webber’s Post on a route called Dicky’s Path. There were good views down to Porlock Bay and glimpses of the Welsh coast across the Bristol Channel. Of course, by the time we got to the summit the mist had closed in, so as is traditional, we ate our sandwiches huddled in the fog below the trig point. But the weather soon cleared and we enjoyed some sunny views as we explored the ancient barrows on Dunkery Hill. Our return route left the only demanding climb of the day until the very end – the last 200yds back up to the car park at dusk.

Friday: Wet, wet, wet. But not deterred, we went to Tarr Steps, the longest ancient clapper bridge in the country. Said to date from 1000 BC, some of the stones weigh 5 tons and according to local legend, were placed there by the Devil to win a bet. But some people describe it as medieval rather than prehistoric, so no one really knows how old it is. Having photographed each other standing on the bridge in the pouring rain, we followed the River Barle, and climbed up to Winsford Hill. The route back down on “Watery Lane” lived up to its name!  To dry out, we stopped at Tarr Steps Farm, for a magnificent mountain of scones and clotted cream.

Saturday: To avoid another day getting soaked, several of us headed to the West Somerset Railway for their “Winter Steam Gala” day. The train ride from Minehead to Taunton kept us out of the worst of the weather, although I did get drenched sticking my head out of the window!

Sunday: Haddon Hill, not far from where we were staying at Dulverton, is another hill with the car park near the top. So we got some good views across Wimbelball Lake early on, and were walking through sheltered woodland when the weather deteriorated. We were pretty damp by the time we got back to the cars, but had time to dry out before finishing the left-over turkey and seeing in the New Year.

Monday: The best weather so far! But having cleaned out the centre and loaded the cars, we only had time for a short stroll by the river before it was time to head home.

Dave P

Christmas Dinner

Our annual Christmas feast at Chignal St.James Village Hall was another culinary success with turkeys, vegetables and puddings arriving from all corners of Essex.

Thanks to everyone who helped with chopping, peeling, cooking, table-laying, washing up, and especially to Helen L for co-ordinating everything again.

Castle Acre Highlights

Highlights of our January weekend at the Old Red Lion independent hostel in Castle Acre, Norfolk, included the twin ruins of Castle Acre Castle and Castle Acre Priory, The Ostrich, the stuffed partridges, the pingos, the rope room, the organic muesli, the fermented black bean curd and the most picturesque pub in the world.

Thanks to Cressida for organising an interesting and enjoyable weekend.