Events
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2024
Mince Pie ramble 15th December 2024
New Year Lunch 12th January 2025
PAST EVENTS 2024
Autumn Week Away – Llangollen (13th to 20th September 2024)
14th September. The first day of the Halcyon trip to Llangollen. We spent the warm, sunny, morning walking alongside the canal upstream to Horseshoe Falls, passing people rafting down the River Dee towards the rapids. After admiring the Falls and wondering at the mentality of families swimming in the ‘not very warm’ water we wandered back to the Chain Bridge Hotel.
Here we crossed the river on the 200 year old chain bridge and began our climb through lovely woodland on Brynau-maur Bank. Initially thick foliage (brambles/bracken) did have to be negotiated, but then it is that time of year, and we felt we deserved our lunch when we reached the top. On the return to Llangollen we were greeted by spectacularly dressed Steampunk enthusiasts who were enjoying a ‘weekend of madhattery’ in the town.
15th September was cloudy, damp and chilly (where was that sun?). But we didn’t let a dreary day bother us when we took the steam train from Llangollen to Corwen for a ‘day out’! We paid our respects to Owen Glendower then took to the hills for an excellent walk up Coed Pan-y- pigyn following the trail of Drewyn the Giant (there was a large spoon, a large hammer, toothbrush and comb to prove it!). The last train to Llangollen was 3.50 pm and happily it didn’t leave without us. One bit of colour on a dull day was added by an interestingly clad gentleman we met in the car park!
16th September was another gloriously sunny and warm day for the walk to Castell Dinas Bran. Leaving Llangollen and passing close to the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey, a section of the Clwydian Way was followed which led to Offa’s Dyke Path. The route passed under magnificent limestone cliffs (Trevor Rocks) eventually reaching the climb to Castell Dinas Bran. Although the route was steep, the effort was really worth it – fabulous views in all directions and hardly any people!! The medieval castle, which can be seen from all directions, must have been very impressive in its day and although it is now a ruin there was much to explore. We knew that what goes up must come down, so followed the ‘other route’ to the valley – a long twisting path (with handrail) – and we did notice that the folks climbing up looked very hot and bothered. This had been another excellent walk with wonderful scenery and not a cloud in the sky!
17th September. A ‘cultural’ day out for some and an historical walk for others. Destination (a) was Powis Castle and gardens. Here there was a decision to be made – gardens or castle? As it was such a glorious day it seemed a shame to spend it inside, so the gardens it was, and what a good choice we made. They were stunning. Long terraces lined with flowers and shrubs, sun-dappled woodland, ornamental gardens and much more. The peacocks and their young thought it was fine to come and join us when we had afternoon tea, but we didn’t share our scones. The (b) outing toured Valle Crucis Abbey before walking through woodland to Bryn-hyfryd. Another day with interesting walks, stunning places to visit and sunshine all the way.
18th September. Today’s walks centred on the Llangollen Canal. From Trevor everyone crossed the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct and then went their separate ways, with a group walking the tow-path back to Llangollen. Some followed the canal path to Chirk Castle – there was a very long, dark, tunnel to negotiate, however, there were some pinpricks of light when the narrow boats, passing through the tunnel, switched on their ‘headlights’. So far it had been a gentle stressless outing, and after arriving at the Castle it seemed a good idea to find an alternative route back, so thought and careful planning was required. However when trying to take a short cut, what may have been the castle moat (no drawbridge!) was an obstacle too far, but the problem was soon resolved and they were soon back on track ! The remainder of the gang left Trevor and followed the canal path along to the marina which had an excellent selection of canal boats to admire before returning, back across the Aqueduct, to Trevor Basin. It had been hoped that tea and cakes would complete a good walk, but there was not a tearoom to be had. All very disappointing.
19th September. A day of different destinations. A couple of people decided that the medieval Chirk Castle deserved a closer look and spent far longer there than they anticipated. Others decided that Valle Crucis Abbey was worth a visit before walking the paths which eventually arrived at bottom of the climb to Castel Dinas Bran which was not a favoured destination as it was just too hot to climb the steep hill. Ice creams sitting at the side of the Llangollen Canal was the preferred option. Some decided that a visit to the seaside was just what was called for so off they went to Llandudno where they had a ‘bit of an adventure’. After taking the tram to the summit, looking at the view and just sitting enjoying the sunshine it was time to take the return tram to the town. Unfortunately, there was a ‘technical’ problem (high winds – really?) so it was a case of best foot forward and ‘hike’ down the hill. When everyone arrived back in Llangollen, no-one wanted to cook or visit the local hostelry, so fish and chips seemed the best plan.
20th September. Friday morning and time to leave after what we all agreed that was a really good week. Warm, sunny weather (mostly), stunning views, excellent walking, good accommodation and the best company. What more could you want?
Spring Weekend/Week Away – Beadnell, Northumberland (17 to 24th May 2024)
The Halcyon Spring Week/end away was a much more informal event than usual as no meals were pre-booked, no specific walks planned – it was just a case of make it up as we go along The accommodation was a large house in the village of Beadnell, Northumberland, located near to its former impressive lime kilns and about 100 yards from one of the many wide, sandy beaches that the area is famous for. In case anyone was delayed en-route to Beadnell the first evening’s meal was a buffet before our first monumental struggle with the all singing, all dancing, ‘multi-purpose’ smart TV run from an intermittent wi-fi !
Saturday dawned bright and clear, some of the group caught the bus to Craster and then walked back, via the England Coast Path, the rest wandered down the England Coast Path towards Low Newton and then ambled back again (paying a visit to another wide sandy beach on the way). A really lovely, warm, sunny day – hopefully the first of many.
Sunday wasn’t quite so sunny but as we planned to visit Berwick upon Tweed that wasn’t too important and thankfully rain wasn’t forecast. The first surprise of the day was the town’s parking – every car park was free – we just couldn’t believe it, especially as it seemed that every other car park in the county charged £9 or £10 for more than 3-hours parking. We made good use of the free parking and spent the morning exploring the Elizabethan fortifications and the old walls. The Royal Border Bridge carrying the East Coast railway line over the River Tweed was inspected at reasonably close quarters and a wander around the old town was really interesting.
On the way back to the cars we called into an old church built during the Cromwellian period – all very austere – and on the way out a gentleman asked if we would like a cup of tea. You know Halcyon, no-one refuses that offer, so in we went to the church hall where we enjoyed pots of tea and an excellent selection of really good home-made cakes. When we asked for the bill the ladies of the parish told us that the event was free of charge. A lovely surprise. It was quite late in the afternoon when we left, but a stop was made on the way back to visit two of our members’ very new, and very comfortable, caravan where more tea was enjoyed. By now it was getting late and no decision had been made for the evening meal, but conveniently the local fish and chip van was open so we bought our meals from there – and very good they were too.
Monday was a glorious day – warm, sunny, calm – and just right for a boat trip to the Farne Islands. Boarding at Seahouses we sailed out towards the Farne Islands, but out at sea it did feel a bit chillier and it was also quite windy, so it was on with jackets and hats before the boat had gone very far. As we approached the islands there were seabirds by their thousands on the rocks and bobbing about on the sea, including the birds everyone had come to see, the puffins. Apparently, about 40,000 pairs are nesting (how they could count them is anyone’s guess). New born seals stared at us as we passed and the older seals popped up and down in the water – they too were fascinating to watch.
Tuesday found everyone ‘doing their own thing’, some went to Alnwick Gardens and took a supervised/ guided trip round ’The Poison Garden’ (I wonder why it was supervised??). These gardens are the kind of place where you can get lost – a bamboo labyrinth, an ornamental garden, rose garden, the great cascade – but happily no-one did. Thankfully they did not return with any specimens from The Poison Garden. The others travelled from Alnmouth to Edinburgh (by an extremely comfortable train) and spend the day exploring what seemed like every inch of the Scottish capital – the Whisky Experience was also visited but no-one was prepared to pay £120,000 for a bottle of rare whisky! Everyone enjoyed their day and slept very well that night.
Wednesday it rained – perhaps more correctly it poured all day). Three people ventured out for a walk up towards Bamburgh, got soaked and then hurried back again. Luckily the property possessed an electric clothes dryer which worked really well.
Thursday was thankfully dry so again it was decision, decision, decision. The majority of the gang decided to make their way to Bamburgh and then across the beach towards Budle Bay, returning via the path which crosses the golf course – suited our member who is also a golf fan. The alternative walk was from Craster, down the coast path to Howick and past the 18th century Earl Grey Bathing House (now a holiday let which is around £3,300 per week). The return route comes inland, but as it was such an ‘atmospheric’ day with the surf crashing against the rocks it was a case of turn round and go back the way we came (well the views are different the other way round).
Friday found everyone leaving for home. Some drove straight back (and made the journey in about 4-hours) others decided on one last walk alongside the coast before travelling back to Sheffield. However, leaving later ensured that there was more traffic on the A1, consequently the traffic jams around Gateshead roadworks meant the journey took much longer than 4-hours!! A minor inconvenience (?)
New Year’s Lunch (7th January 2024).
Halcyon’s first celebration of 2024, the New Year Lunch, was held on a chilly but dry day. Meeting at Great Longstone the group squelched across the fields to Little Longstone and up to an unusually quiet Monsal Head. After admiring the view, we continued down Penyunk Lane to Ashford in the Water where the morning break was taken. Refreshed it was onto Churchdale Hall and on reaching the main road decisions had to be made. As we had to be at the Crispin Inn for lunch no later than 2.00 p.m. it was agreed that we follow the Monsal Trail for a short distance and return to Great Longstone along a quiet road. Once dirty boots, gaiters etc. had been removed, everyone gathered in The Crispin for a very entertaining afternoon.
We enjoyed good food, scratched our heads over a ‘not difficult at all’ quiz, caught up with members who for whatever reason had not been out much during the year, and finally participated in the raffle which brought the day’s events to a close. This year raised £100 from the raffle which was donated to the Edale Mountain Rescue.