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anliensian ambling lub |
| Minutes of the AGM - 4 March 2008 | Change of Hanley Meeting Point |
| Holiday to Austria 27 Aug - 10 Sep 2008 |
Dear Members,
Hope you are all enjoying the summer. I believe the barbecue was a great success and there are many more activities to come, including the next event, the pie and pea supper on Wednesday 6 August at Scholar Green, so you’ll need to get your booking in sharpish for this event. There is the next stage of the Calderdale Way taking place at the end of September and a YHA Weekend to Slaidburn 17-19 October. There is also a Senior Members Evening on 3 October, and a visit to the JCB Factory on 9 October.
We welcome the following new members:
Margaret Howells of Silverdale Christine Hargreaves of Burslem
Iris Ward of Macclesfield
Jacqueline (Jacquie) Frangelli of Meir Park
Pam Bryan of Weston Coyney
Maggie Lockrane of Leek
Margaret Ward of Sneyd Green Dawn Frost of Baldwins Gate (not Dawn French as shown in the last edition!)
We look forward to seeing you all on walks and other events.
Members are advised that the compilation of the next Winter Programme has now commenced. Volunteers to lead walks are always welcome. If you wish to include a walk in the new programme please contact the Walks Secretary (Bernard Heath) by :
a. Personal contact
b. Telephone – 01782 865263
c. By e-mailYou can access the Next Programme lay-out from the Programme page and then e-mail any walk suggestions to the Walks Secretary. Bernard thanks everyone for their previous efforts and asks for your continued support.
As many members are aware, the Club is collecting attendance data on each grade of walk. Mike Everill is collating this data but obviously cannot attend all walks. He does have some helpers but can leaders please determine if anyone is collecting the names on their walks and ask for a volunteer if not?
Marion Walshaw
(Hon Sec)
A number of members have expressed an interest in attending A or B grade walks alternating with the existing Thursday programme. These would be on an informal basis and would not be official HRC walks. Allan Wells has volunteered to act as a co-ordinator for these walks and those interested should contact Allan either by e-mail or by phone for further information.
Wednesday 6 August 2008
This year the Pie and Pea Supper will be held at the Rising Sun Public House, Scholar Green. A walk has been organised to start at 7.15pm.from the pub, returning at around 20.45 hrs. for supper. There will be two types of pie available, Steak and Ale or Chicken and Vegetable both served with chips and peas.
The cost of the meal will be £5.50p. Please state your preference on the Booking Form. There is accommodation for 50 people, so late bookers might not get in. Directions to the pub:
Travel along the A34 from the Red Bull crossroads (A34/A50junc), towards Congleton, in approx 1.3 miles passing through Scholar Green, take the road on the rightsignposted Mow Cop. Follow this and the pub is on the right in half a mile just before reaching the canal.Please complete the booking form and send with cheque to Hilary Walker.
Thursday 9 October 2008 at 10:00 am
As the first visit to the JCB Factory was such a success, I have arranged a further visit, which has been arranged for Thursday 9 October 2008 at 10.00 hr. Meet at the Visitor Centre promptly. Here we shall meet up with our Guides who will take us in small parties on the three mile tour of the Production and Office Facilities, after a Multimedia Presentation. During this, we were served tea/coffee and biscuits on our previous visit.
Due to Health and Safety Requirements no one under the age of 15 years is allowed on this tour. As the full tour is three miles, comfortable casual dress is recommended, also stout footwear. Sandals and open toed shoes are not allowed.
Directions:
Via Cheadle take the B5032 to Alton, carry on through Denstone to its junction with the B5030, turn right along the lakeside to Hollington Road, turn right. The Visitor Centre is on your right with visitor parking on the other side of the road.
From the Potteries, A50 to Uttoxeter 1st roundabout take left onto B5030 to Ashbourne or Rocester, turn left onto Hollington Road, Visitor Centre as above.After lunch a short optional walk will be offered by myself around the very picturesque and interesting Lakes.
The cost of the visit is £15.75 inclusive. The lunch was thought to be very good on our last visit. Please fill in the application form in the Newsletter and send with cheque by Saturday 13 September to Peter Cartlidge.
Sunday 28 September 2008
This year is the penultimate section of the Calderdale Way. The C walk will start at Norland Moor, where the previous walk finished, and proceed to Cragg Vale, a distance of eight and a half miles. There is an ascent of 650ft up to Flints Moor but includes approximately 1000ft descent, with starting at Norland Moor.
The A walk will resume on the Calderdale Way at Ripponden and proceed to Cragg Vale, then climb onto Turley Holes and High House Moor before descending to Withersclough Reservoir, joining the Pennine Way to Stoodley Pike Monument, then returning to Cragg Vale. There is a restaurant and bar at Cragg Vale where it is hoped refreshments will be available.
A shorter D walk may be available, but access for the coach to the Calderdale Way is proving difficult, and anyone interested should check in late August, when arrangements have been finalised.
Boots or stout footwear, food and drink will be required for the walks. You will also need a change of clothing to leave on the coach in case of bad weather, and a picnic evening meal. The coach fare will be £10 per person, and the coach will pick up at Newcastle (Blackfriars Road) at 8.00 am. We expect to be back in the Potteries by 9 pm.
Please complete the Booking Form in the newsletter and send to Bernard Heath.
Friday - Sunday 17 - 19 October 2008
King's House
Slaidburn
Clitheroe
Lancashire
BB7 3ERTelephone no: 0870 770 6034 OS 103 Grid Reference 711523
In the middle of the Forest of Bowland there’s peace and solitude to be found in the relatively undiscovered fells and valleys of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. YHA Slaidburn is a comfortable retreat to return to. An 18th century village inn, the listed building has recently been refurbished. This three star hostel is self catering but there are a pub and a café very close; I am told one will even open for breakfasts if advised in advance.
There will be planned walks at Grades A and B.
Costs: Bed £16.00 per night
Please complete the booking form at the end of the newsletter and return it with payment and any dietary requirements to Anne Jepson (tel. 01782 335837) by the 6th of August.
Tuesday 4 March 2008
The Chairman welcomed 51 members to the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.
Apologies
were received from Sue and Peter Corlett, Sue and Mike Everill, Diane and Edward Hambleton, Andrew and Hazel Waters, Jack and Margaret Boggis, Tom and Freda Roberts, Margaret Bailey, Margaret Finney, Brian Joynson, Shelagh Evans, Phil Burgess, Sheila Smith, Linda Holloway, Mike Harper, Maureen Sherwin, and Peter Jones.Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Matters Arising
Dave Fowler said that a planning application for the proposed extension at Moneystone Quarry, which would have affected footpaths around Whiston, had been refused. He understood that the quarry is now due for closure.
Treasurers Report
The Treasurer presented his Income and Expenditure statement. This year there had been an increase in the donation to the RA to £170, as money had been given to a special footpath appeal, together with a donation in respect of the late Harry Kemp. There had been a small loss on social events but a small surplus on coach rambles. He had changed the way that deposits for holidays and events were shown. He recommended no change in subscription rates. The Chairman thanked Joe for his efforts and the report was accepted.
Election of Officers
The Chairman said he was willing to continue in office, and Bill Locker was duly proposed, seconded and elected. Bill then moved to the election of officers and after being proposed and seconded the following were elected:
Vice Chairman John Brereton Walks Secretary Bernard Heath Treasurer Joe Moore Social Secretary Peter Johnson General Secretary Marion Walshaw Publicity Officer Margaret Bailey Memb. Secretary Bill Finney Web Master Mike Everill Auditor Pat Davenport Ordinary Members
Nominations for the Committee were then requested and the following were proposed, seconded and elected. There was no ballot.
John Butler Jean Challinor John Critchlow Gordon Davenport Bill Walshaw Ken Elkin Brian Joynson Nigel Shaw Hilary Walker Walks Secretary's Report
Bernard reported that there had been good attendances on walks throughout the year.
The members who did go to the Forest of Bowland for the Christmas Coach Ramble when the bus did not turn up, had an enjoyable day, despite not being able to do the planned walks. After much negotiating, compensation from Stanways was received, and members have been reimbursed.
Bernard said he had arranged for a ‘census form’ to be included with the next magazine which he hoped all members would complete and return. The information received would be of great assistance in the compilation of future walks programmes.
The next programme was nearly completed, but he would appreciate more offers of leadership.
Social Secretary's report
Peter reported that Club members had spent a lovely holiday in Ceret, and a return visit of a French group to Keswick, accompanied by HRC members, was now arranged for the beginning of June. Peter reminded members that it was important to have sufficient spare seats in cars so that we can offer lifts to the French group to the start of the walks.
There is a holiday in a few weeks time to Symonds Yat, which is fully booked.
There is a new venue for the barbecue at Maer.A total of 53 members are booked for a holiday to Austria at the end of August.
Plans for an evening of entertainment for some of our long standing members, who are not now active in club affairs, were being finalised by the Social Committee.
Joe confirmed that arrangements were in hand with the Crime Community Service for a JP and Probation Officer to present a mock trial with the audience acting as the jury. This evening event would take place in the autumn.
Discussion on Club Name Change
The Chairman said that he would, if necessary, limit the time spent on this item. Many members voiced their opinions both ‘For’ and ‘Against’. Included in the points raised by the ‘Fors’, was that the Club must look to the future, the existing name had now little relevance and was considered to be a deterrent to prospective young members. Those ‘Against’ rejected this view and considered that a new name would not attract young entrants, sufficient new members were joining and that the history of the Club could be lost in any change. Having given sufficient time to the debate, the Chairman called for a vote. In a show of hands there was an overwhelming majority to retain the current name.
Any Other Business
Peter Cartlidge said he had organised another visit to the JCB Factory at Rocester, for Thursday 9 October. Full details will be in a future newsletter.
Ken Elkin said that there were a small group of volunteers in the Club who went out each Monday working on footpaths, and he would like to thank Bill Walshaw for organising and liasing with the Council and land owners so that all this ran smoothly.
The meeting closed at 10.00 pm.
St Wulstan's Church Hall
Friday 3 October 2008 at 7:30 pm
The Committee have felt for sometime that we should arrange a social evening for our senior members who are not able to walk with us any more. Many of these senior members were the heart of the club for many years and we owe a huge debt of gratitude for their hard work, hospitality and encouragement to new members, which has made the club what it is to-day.
We hope that as many of our new and existing members as possible will attend, to make a good party atmosphere and to meet our senior members. It is hoped that lifts can be arranged for anyone who no longer drives or who finds driving at night a problem. If you require a lift please contact one of the committee members who will make the arrangements.
There will be a communal buffet table provided by the current active members who attend. Entertainment will be provided by John Walley a George Formby tribute entertainer and Dave Joynson who will play a few songs we can sing along to. Bring your own drink.
Please complete the Booking Form, if you are interested in coming along, to give some ideas of the numbers. This is sure to be a memorable and enjoyable evening, don’t miss it!
From May 2008
The new Hanley meeting point is Castle Street Car Park, which is immediately adjacent to the site of the demolished Unity House. Access is off the Potteries Way into Cannon Street and the Castle Street Car Park is the first entrance on the left.
Conservative Club, Newcastle
Thurs 27th November 2008 at 8:00 pm
Would you make a good Magistrate?
Have you ever wondered why Courts pass the sentences they do?
Do you think Courts are too lenient or too harsh?
How would you deal with a defendant guilty of a serious offence?In this interactive presentation, based on a real case, Magistrates and Probation Service staff invite you to ask questions, discuss the issues and decide what you would do if you were making the sentencing decisions when you have heard all the facts.
All Judges and Magistrates are bound by the law and have sentencing guidelines, but there is no one single ‘ right ’ answer. At the end of the case learn what the real court adjudicating on the case actually did and why.
7 - 11 April 2008
Some 50 members travelled to Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley, to enjoy 4 brilliant days of good weather for walking and sight seeing.
The walks took in the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley, one of the highlights being the ferry crossing. There were so many of us that it took three crossings to the opposite bank from the pub. Each boat load sang their own song, i.e. ‘We are Sailing’, ‘Row, Row the Boat’, but the best must have been ‘Rule Britannia’ led from the bow by Brian Joynson, and sang like the valley had never heard before.
Many thanks go to Brian Joynson, Ken Elkin and Gordon Davenport for the excellent walks they organised, and to Margaret Bailey, who not only organised the booking of the hotel, but also the entertainment in the evenings, which everyone joined in.
Barbara Spragg
Forest of Dean Caravan Holiday
With 50 members filling the Hotel at Symonds Yat, a further 10 members elected to stay in their own caravans at the nearby Christchurch Caravan site in the heart of the Forest of Dean.
We were fortunate to have cool but bright weather for the duration of the holiday and were able to enjoy the wonderful scenery in the area at its best. Each day we were able to rendezvous with the hotel party to enjoy some splendid walks. As a bonus we visited the hotel for an evening meal on 2 nights to socialise and to give the ladies a break from the kitchen sink. All in all a lovely holiday and a welcome return to an area we tend to overlook. Our thanks to all organisers and participants.
Ken Elkin
Saturday 3rd May 2008
When a day trip on the Manchester Ship Canal was first discussed several months ago it was met with some scepticism as appealing only to a small minority. How wrong we were and thanks to Hilary Walker’s persistence a coach was soon filled with others being disappointed. On Saturday May 3rd the party of 50 Hanliensians were duly transported to Seacombe pier head on the Mersey to board our cruise ship for the day, a 50 year old ex-Mersey ferry. After a recent refit it appeared well suited to its new role and swallowed the 300 or so passengers with ease.
The weather was cool and cloudy but this did not deter the hardy Hanliensians who made a beeline for the upper decks. There were, however, a few landlubbers who settled for the warmth and luxury of the saloons down below, or was it the proximity to the bar.
Setting sail at 10 am we were soon alongside Liverpool’s waterfront dominated by the famous Liver Buildings. By 11.30 am we were still in the Mersey circling and awaiting our turn to enter the Eastham Lock which takes us into the Ship Canal proper. The lock, which we shared with a coaster several times our size, was the first of 5 which we would have to navigate during the day in our 35 mile journey. The size of the locks was truly awesome and a tribute to the engineers of the 1890’s when the canal was built. The first few miles of the canal is obviously well used with plenty of industry in evidence including a huge oil refinery. Thereafter we were the only craft using the waterway and were greeted by enthusiastic waving from the canal side as we made our way towards Salford Quay.
The scenery was varied with long rural stretches interspersed with brief industrialised interludes. Waterfowl and birds were much in evidence including many sightings of herons demonstrating the success in cleaning up the once heavily polluted watercourse.
It was strange to traverse under so many major roads and railways and to see them in a different perspective. Looking up to traffic on the M6 going over the huge Thelwall viaduct seemed particularly strange. A number of minor roads also cross the canal by swing bridges, which miraculously opened as we approached to allow us to proceed unhindered. There is even a bridge, which pivots and contains a section of the Bridgewater canal, water and all!
It was almost 6pm and the sun was now shining when the final lock delivered us into the old Salford Docks area, now renamed Salford quays and converted into an upmarket commercial, shopping, leisure and residential area. A total of 8 hours had disappeared all too quickly in what was generally considered a very relaxing and informative trip making for a very unusual Hanliensian day out, which will remain in the memory for many years to come.
The relatively short coach trip from Manchester was accomplished very quickly to end safely another successful club venture. Many thanks go to Hilary Walker whose inspiration it was, whilst her planning and organisation were faultless.
Ken Elkin
Sat 17 - Sun 18 May 2008
On a cool, cloudy and threatening Saturday morning 12 members assembled in a side street in Church Stretton for the now annual double A weekend. Despite the threat of rain the walk started with an immediate climb out of Church Stretton and over Ragleth hill. From here the party went across to Wenlock Edge and part way along the Edge before stopping to take lunch.
In the afternoon as we continued the weather deteriorated and we had to contend with showers of increasing frequency, and during the course of one we stopped to explore a very isolated, small stone church. Finally, in late afternoon we reached our accommodation for the night, the very impressive Wilderhope Manor, an original Elizabethan manor house owned by the National Trust and used as a youth hostel.
Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny with greatly improved weather from the previous day. As a result of one of the party talking to the warden the previous evening, we were treated to a guided tour of the house with a talk on exactly what life in the house would have been like in the 16th century. As a result of this we were subjected to a late start but this meant that when we passed through the village of Cardington, the village pub was now open and the leader allowed us an unscheduled pub stop.
Some 45 mins later and suitably refreshed we continued the walk, which in the afternoon consisted of a traverse over the ridges of Little Caradoc and Caer Caradoc with wonderful views of surrounding peaks like the Wrekin and Brown Clee to name but a few. Then in late afternoon we descended back into Church Stretton for the journey home.
Our thanks go to Paul Heathcote for organising and leading a wonderful weekend.
Philip Burgess
31 May - 7 June 2008
Many thanks to members who helped to make the recent joint HRC / La Randonnnée Céretane holiday such a success. Mike and Anne Cartwright have forwarded this appreciation.
Un grand merci.All our French friends, Anne and myself were extremely happy with the week in the Lake District. For me, we enjoyed the best that England has to offer. The Lake District is outstandingly beautiful, the walks were well planned, and included several classics : Cat Bells, Fairfield Horseshoe, Great Gable, Helvellyn, Haystacks and Castle Crag. Alfred Wainwright would have been proud of the programme, since several of his routes were included.
The accommodation in Bridge Cottage and apartments was excellent and enabled some of the group to economize a little by preparing their own food. Paul Heathcote had obviously invested a huge amount of time to prepare this trip, and the organization was perfect. Thanks Paul – you did a great job. The French group was very moved by the presentation of the china mugs bearing the logos of the two clubs. This was a wonderful gesture, a symbol of Stoke and a very practical souvenir. Anne and I have already used ours for coffee.
Even if in some cases language differences limited communication, the French people really appreciated the friendship and warmth of the members of your club. Since returning to France I have heard on several occasions the comment “Les anglais étaient extrêmement gentils”.
On a personal note I really want to thank the drivers. If when I first suggested the possibility of visiting England the reaction was enthusiastic, when I said that we may have to drive hire cars most of the group were filled with apprehension. They had not visited England before and the prospect of driving on the left was a real fear. As it turned out, thanks to you, we enjoyed the luxury of chauffeur-driven transport.
To finish, I don’t know if the weather was included in Paul’s organization, but this turned out better than I could have hoped for. The only “complaint” that I received was that I had insisted on everyone bringing waterproof clothing, and in fact, they had never had to wear it.
Thanks to all of you who participated to make this a wonderful week.
Mike and Anne Cartwright
2nd to 16th September 2007
A wet Sunday September morning saw a large group of Club Members (33 in all), in Manchester Airport boarding a plane for Perpignan in South East France, looking forward to a two week walking holiday, based in the small town of Céret, and wondering how our French friends and Randonneurs could possibly organise activities and walks for such a diverse group. Three and a half hours later, with the temperature about 25º C and blue skies, as we wandered round old Perpignan in the wake of our competent and knowledgeable guide, Anne Cartwright, clutching the bottles of water thoughtfully provided by her husband Mike, it was obvious that we had little to worry about. After sampling our first French fare of the holiday and trying out our awful French, (apart from Val, our very professional, overworked and non paid interpreter to whom we shall be forever grateful), we boarded the coach, organised for us by the wonderful organisers and headed for Céret. On arrival in Céret we were directed and assisted to our hotels and rooms by Mike and Anne, met those of our members who had travelled independently including Dave who had travelled by Coach complete with cycle, and were informed that a meal had been arranged by the French Club, La Randonnnée Céretane in the Salle De Union and that the Municipalite had arranged aperitifs for us before the meal. The evening was a great success, enjoyed by all, with too much food and wine being consumed; nevertheless our French and English appeared to improve as time went by.
The programme arranged by the French Club indicated that there were three categories of walks, roughly corresponding to our A, B, and C walks. They called them the Randonneurs, Marcheurs and Promeneurs. To be honest, even the so called C walks were anything but easy, given the heat and lack of shade, they all seemed to have their difficult patches, and I personally found it very difficult to categorise them as we might have. Nevertheless they were well led and very varied and I loved the French walking pace and the excellent back marking. The first morning gave us a good indication of what we could expect during the holiday. Mike Cartwright took the A&B walkers on a three and a half hours walk above Céret. Albert Monge from the French club was the back marker. It was an excellent introduction to the countryside and heat, but not the height we were to experience on future walks. The promeneurs (C walkers), led by Anne Cartwright ended up doing a six-hour walk. C'est la vie.
The week that followed had something for everyone, varied walks, some along the French Spanish border where you could literally have a foot in each country, with visits to old fortified towns, abbeys, hermitages and even a distillery. In the evening, various groups got together to sample the local dishes, mainly Catalan which sometimes led to confusion of what had been ordered, e.g. Whelks instead of meat balls. The breakfasts in our hotel were often enlivened by tales of nocturnal singing cats and hooting owls and cleaning trucks, (ear plugs were purchased at great expense for one afflicted member), One morning one of our members sped through the breakfast room barefooted shouting "bats". A bat had taken up residence in her bedroom during the night. The proprietor removed the offending creature from the bedroom but we never found out how as both our members had locked themselves in the bathroom during the evacuation proceedings. For many of us, the highlight of that first week was the walk through the Gorges of Carança. To call it a walk does it an injustice as it involved scrambling, boulder hopping, swinging across unsteady rope/metal bridges, walking along metal paths attached to cliff faces and a final walk high up on the Gorge walls along a path sometimes no more than one metre wide. One member remarked, "It is like an adventure playground"
The second week was a bit more cultural, with visits to Figueres (Salvador Dalí Museum), Girona and Barcelona, interspersed with Coastal walks, swimming in the Med, available for those brave enough to sample a sea of 22ºC, seemed warm to me after the Irish Sea, and playing host to our hosts with a successful evening meal on the Tuesday night. Thursday saw all the walkers starting from a point about 4500 ft high. I was on the B walk and we got back to the pickup point about 14.30 hrs. We were just sitting having a choc bar when this voice said, " If you walk up the road for about a kilometre you can have a pint". It was Dave of course, who had cycled up from Céret and who then disappeared over the mountain to return by a different route. He nearly beat the coach back. Friday saw us on a quite strenuous series of walks along the Coast near Cadaqués in Spain, all the walkers meeting up at a Lighthouse for a welcoming pint before returning to the coach which then transported us to a transport cafe in La Jonquera, where the Cartwrights had arranged for us to eat. Well, it was unlike any transport cafe I have ever been in. There was every type of food available and copious carafes of wine. Given the singing on the coach on the return journey to Céret. I think everyone had something they enjoyed.
Saturday was a rest day for most of us although the local market provided plenty of interest. An evening meal had been arranged in a local Catalan restaurant which was hugely successful and afterwards an annual festival, locally translated as "THE RING OF FIRE" took place, whereby a procession, led by a very enthusiastic fireworks team and band walked and danced through the old part of the village to much singing and cheering from the locals and visitors, culminating in a wonderful firework display in the square in front of one of our hotels.
This was a very enjoyable and successful visit to a lovely part of France. It is impossible to thank the organisers enough, the members of the Randonnée Céretane were fantastic and made us very welcome, our French friends from Normandy provided lots of fun and laughs, but our special thanks must go to Mike and Sue Everill and Mike and Anne Cartwright, who between them, brought it all together
Frank Devlin
du 2 au 16 septembre 2007
Par un dimanche matin pluvieux de septembre, un grand groupe de marcheurs (33 au total), quittait le tarmac de l’aéroport de Manchester à destination de Perpignan, dans le Midi de la France. Le groupe ne pensait déjà plus qu’aux randonnées qui allaient ponctuer ces deux semaines de vacances et les marcheurs se demandaient comment leurs amis français allaient bien pouvoir organiser autant d’activités dans ce village de Céret. Trois heures et demie plus tard, ce fut sous un ciel bleu et par une température avoisinant les 25° C que la visite du Vieux-Perpignan débuta en compagnie de notre talentueuse et experte guide, Anne Cartwright. Il n’y avait rien à craindre en sa compagnie, tellement elle était au petit soin, elle qui transportait les bouteilles d’eau que son mari Mike avait précautionneusement remplies auparavant. Après une entrée en matière un peu hasardeuse, où nous nous essayâmes à quelques bribes de français, nous décidâmes de nous en remettre au talent de notre interprète bénévole, Val, pour qui la langue de Molière n’a plus de secrets depuis bien longtemps ! Après la visite de Perpignan un car, tout spécialement affrété par nos amis français, nous attendait pour nous conduire à Céret. A notre arrivée, nous fûmes dirigés vers nos hôtels et autres chambres par Mike et Anne, nos hôtes dévoués. Ce fut d’ailleurs l’occasion de retrouver les membres du groupe qui n’avaient pas voyagé avec nous. Ainsi Dave avait voyagé dans un autre car qu’il avait rempli de vélos pour les vacances ! Une fois confortablement installés, nous nous rendîmes à la Salle de L’Union, où un diner allait être donné en notre honneur. Les marcheurs français de La Randonnée Cérétane ainsi que la municipalité de Céret avaient visiblement mis les petits plats dans les grands et tenaient à nous recevoir dignement. La soirée fut appréciée de tous, à grand renfort de nourriture et de vin, ce qui n’allait pas sans délier les langues des français comme des anglais: les compétences en langue étrangère allaient croissant au fur et à mesure que les heures s’égrenaient…
Le programme concocté par le Club français indiquait trois catégories de randonnées, quelque peu selon notre classification A, B et C. Ils les appellent les Randonneurs, les Marcheurs et les Promeneurs. Pour être honnête, même les « Promeneurs », les marches soit disant classées en catégorie C étaient tout sauf facile, vu la chaleur et le manque de portion ombragée : chaque randonnée semblait avoir sa part de difficulté et j’ai personnellement eu beaucoup de problème à les classer selon notre propre échelle de valeur. Les randonnées étaient néanmoins très bien menées et très variées ; j’ai adoré le rythme de marche des français et le balisage des chemins empruntés. La première matinée nous donna un bon aperçu des vacances à suivre. Mike Cartwright mena un groupe de randonneurs le long d’un sentier de catégorie A-B, soit une durée de trois heures et demie sur les hauteurs de Céret. Albert Monge fermait la marche. Ce fut un avant-goût prometteur du paysage que nous allions avoir devant les yeux pendant notre séjour et une bonne expérience de la chaleur qu’il allait falloir endurer mais rien ne laissait présager du dénivelé qu’il allait falloir affronter. Les promeneurs de la randonnée de catégorie C, menée par Anne Cartwright ne sont en effet revenus qu’au bout de…six heures ! C’est la vie.
La semaine qui suivit permit à chacun de trouver son intérêt : des ballades le long de la frontière franco-espagnole -en ayant littéralement un pied dans chaque pays, des visites organisées dans de vieilles villes fortifiées, des abbayes, des ermitages et même une distillerie. En soirée, plusieurs groupes se rassemblaient pour goûter la cuisine locale, principalement catalane, ce qui portait parfois à confusion (par ex des « bulots » pris pour des « boulettes » de viande !). Les petits-déjeuners à l’hôtel s’animaient bien souvent des récits nocturnes de chats chanteurs, du hululement des hiboux et des camions de nettoyage (des boules Quiès furent d’ailleurs achetées à grand frais par l’un des membres). Un matin, l’une d’entre nous a soudainement fait irruption pieds nus dans la salle à manger en s’écriant : « des chauve-souris ! » Une chauve-souris avait élu domicile dans sa chambre pendant la nuit. Le propriétaire fit sortir la dérangeante créature de la chambre mais nous n’avons jamais compris de quelle façon puisque nos deux compatriotes s’étaient enfermées à double tour dans leur salle de bain pendant la dite procédure d’évacuation. Pour bon nombre d’entre nous, le point d’orgue de cette première semaine fut la randonnée à travers les Gorges de Carança. Le mot « randonnée » semblait pourtant bien faible, tellement ce périple s’accompagna d’escalades en tout genre, de sauts entre les rochers, de ponts de singe tous plus précaires les uns que les autres, de via ferrata scabreuses -à peine plus large qu’un mètre- à flanc de falaise pour finalement gravir le sommet de la Gorge. Un des marcheurs remarqua d’ailleurs : « C’est le parcours du combattant ! »
La deuxième semaine fut un peu plus culturelle avec des visites à Figueres (le musée Salvador Dalí), Gérone et Barcelone, le tout entrecoupé de randonnées le long des côtes, de quelques brasses en Méditerranée pour les courageux capables de supporter une eau à 22° C, ce qui m’a semblé assez chaud pour moi, après la mer d’Irlande. Le mardi soir, nous avons rendu la pareille à nos hôtes en leur préparant un diner qui fut apprécié de tous. Le jeudi, les marcheurs s’étaient donnés rendez-vous à 1400m d’altitude pour le départ d’une nouvelle randonnée. J’ai participé à la marche de catégorie B et nous sommes arrivés au point de ralliement à 14h30. Alors que nous étions tranquillement assis en train de manger une barre au chocolat, quelqu’un s’est écrié : « Si vous grimpez encore un bon kilomètre, vous avez le droit à une pinte de bière ! » C’était Dave, bien sûr, qui était monté de Céret à vélo et qui disparut bientôt de l’autre côté de la montagne, pour revenir à Céret par un autre chemin. Il mit presque moins de temps que le car. Le vendredi, le groupe s’engagea dans une série ardue de randonnées le long des côtes espagnoles, à proximité de Cadaqués. Nous nous étions donnés rendez-vous à un phare où nous avons d’abord goûté aux délices d’une pinte de bière avant de rejoindre notre car qui nous a ensuite emmené jusqu’à un café-restaurant de la gare routière de La Jonquera, là où les Cartwright nous avaient organisé un déjeuner. Il faut dire que ce café-restaurant ne ressemblait en rien à tout autre établissement du même style : la nourriture y était aussi abondante que variée et le vin coulait à flot. Etant donné les chants joyeux qui ont animé le chemin du retour, il y a fort à parier que chacun y a trouvé son compte !
Le samedi fut l’occasion de se reposer pour la plupart d’entre nous, bien que le marché local suscita l’intérêt de beaucoup. Un dîner fut servi dans un restaurant catalan des environs, lequel fut suivi du festival annuel appelé « l’anneau de feu ». A cette occasion, nous avons eu le plaisir d’assister à une procession conduite par un groupe d’artificiers des plus enthousiastes. Danses et chants commencèrent alors à animer le vieux Céret, mêlant de concert français et anglais. La soirée s’acheva en apothéose par un merveilleux feu d’artifice tiré de la place qui faisait face à l’un de nos hôtels.
Ce fut donc un séjour aussi réussi qu’agréable, dans une bien belle région de France. Mais comment remercier assez nos hôtes ? Les membres de la Randonnée Céretanne ont tous été fantastiques et nous ont réservé un accueil des plus chaleureux. Nous n’oublions pas, bien sûr, nos amis français de Normandie qui ont su apporté toute leur bonne humeur mais nous adressons nos remerciements les plus appuyés à Sue et Mike Everill ainsi qu’à Anne et Mike Cartwright qui sont tous les quatre à l’origine de ce projet.
Kindly translated by Nicolas Vaudron
2nd to 16th September 2007
Un grand merci à Mike et Anne Cartwright d’avoir accepté qu’un groupe d’une douzaine de Marcheurs du Perche et de Randonneurs de L’Aigle se joigne à leurs amis anglais du H.R.C.
Après le Lake District en 2003 et le Devon en 2005, nous avons été très heureux de partager, une fois encore, de très bons moments avec vous, dans une très belle région française : le Roussillon.
Durant quinze jours, nous avons eu la mer, la montagne, l’Espagne… Et le soleil…Et la bonne humeur. Céret, Collioure, Port Vendres, Batère, Cadaquès, Figueres, Gérone, Barcelone…Autant de randonnées et de visites très agréables, très variées , très enrichissantes qui nous auront permis aussi d’échanger en français et en anglais sur bon nombre de sujets.
Et nous n’oublierons pas la dernière soirée dans le jardin du restaurant « El Catala », soirée au cours de laquelle chants français et anglais se sont succédés dans la plus grande amitié. Le tout avec la révélation d’un chef d’orchestre hors pair : Anne !
Quinze jours magnifiques grâce à l’organisation parfaite, minutieuse et enthousiaste de nos amis Mike et Anne. Sans oublier l’harmonieuse collaboration avec le club local « LA RANDONNEE CERETANE » avec des animateurs dont le dévouement était total pour notre groupe et qui ont toujours eu le souci de nous faire découvrir les plus beaux circuits de leur belle Catalogne.
Bonne et heureuse année 2008 à tous les membres du HRC, tout particulièrement à tous ceux que nous connaissons mais aussi à tous ceux que nous connaîtrons lors de nos prochaines rencontres.
Pour le groupe de Normands,
Théo and Mic
2nd to 16th September 2007
A big thank you to Mike and Anne Cartwright for having allowed a group of a dozen or so members from the Perche and L’Aigle walking clubs to join their English friends from the HRC.
After the Lake District in 2003 and Devon in 2005, we were very happy to share good times with you once again in a very beautiful part of France: the Roussillon.
During the fortnight, we went to the coast, into the mountains and to Spain, enjoying sunshine and good company. Céret, Collioure, Port Vendres, Batère, Cadaquès, Figueres, Gerona, Barcelona …so many really nice, varied and rewarding walks and excursions, which also gave us the opportunity to discuss numerous topics in both English and French.
We shall always remember the last evening in the garden of El Catala restaurant when we sang English and French songs, one after another, in a spirit of warm friendship. All this plus the discovery of a talented conductor: Anne!
We had a excellent fortnight thanks to the perfect, thorough and enthusiastic organisation of our friends, Mike and Anne, not to mention the kind contribution from the local club “La Randonnée Cérétane” whose leaders couldn’t have looked after us better and who always made sure that we visited the most beautiful parts of their lovely Catalonia.
A happy New Year 2008 to all members of the HRC, especially to all those we know already, but also to those whom we hope to get to know when we next meet.
On behalf of the Normandy group,
Théo and MicKindly translated by Val Hiles
Wednesday 27 August to Wednesday 10 September 2008
Meeting at the Bull's Head, Hanford at 8pm on Wednesday 9 May 2007
Having been discussed in Committee it has been decided that the main club holiday for 2008 will be a two-centre holiday to Austria. One week in Seefeld 27th August - 3rd Sept and one week in Ellmau 3rd Sept - 10th Sept. The flight will be from Manchester on the 27th of August returning on the 10th of September.
Seefeld is a quality village offering something for everyone situated on an open plateau above the Inn valley 10miles from Innsbruck. Thomson give a four star grade for all grades of walking. There is lots of transport up into the mountains and plenty of information on walks. It comes highly recommended. The hotel chosen is the 3* Sshonegg featured on page 238 of the 2007 Thomson Lakes & Mountain brochure, although this might have to change if we cannot get the required number of rooms.
Ellmau is a picture postcard village having its own mountain railway. Being near to Kitzbuhel it has good transport links with the nearby villages that all have gondolas and chairlifts. It is set in a wide valley between two fantastic mountain ranges. To the north is the awe-inspiring Wilder Kaiser range, whilst to the south are the lush alpine meadows of the Kitzbuheler Alps. The hotel chosen is the 3* Alpenhof featured on page 224 of the 2007 Thomson Lakes & Mountains brochure although again this might have to change if we cannot get the required number of rooms.
The holiday costs include half board accommodation, the Manchester (Wed) flight supplement, and the transfers from airport to resort, between resorts, and back to airport. Any group-booking discount has also been allowed for. The cost does not include holiday insurance, transport to Manchester Airport & return, and transport in the resorts.
For further information please ring Brian Joynson or Peter Johnson
Brian will be handling the deposit cheques