For most of the 19 people on the weekend, this was their first Heathrow Hikers event. Del, as usual was in party mode, playing music CD's and opening cans of beer. Once introductions were over, people began to relax, some deciding to get a decent night's sleep, others wanting to stay up longer.
Saturday morning and the kitchen was a busy place to be with people making breakfast and getting ready for the walk. The planned walk was to include the summits of Fan Y Big, Cribyn & Pen Y Fan. It was clear early on that the weather, the late start time and the size of group would mean the walk, and the day would have to be shortened. The mist was quite thick, preventing any real view at all so it was decided to cut the walk short and lose height.
On the way down we were overtaken by many mountain bikes. We stopped and watched their efforts on two wheels for a while while having our lunch. Finally back at the minibus we decided to head to the town and buy some supplies before making our way back to the bunkhouse.
We had booked a large table in the local pub for our evening meal, having placed our orders whilst we were on the mountain. There was plenty of time to have showers, change clothes and chat amongst ourselves before leaving the bunkhouse for the pub.
The food really hit the spot, and the conversation flowed. The barman even got involved in the discussion once we began to talk about 'kankles'. With the evening coming to an end we returned to the bunkhouse, some deciding to hit the sack, others deciding to join Del in his drinking game. The less said about the events of that night the better.
The scene Sunday morning was one of people eating breakfast and reading newspapers. A few of the party had to return home and would not be able to do the waterfall walk. It was a shame as the weather had improved and the walk proved to be much more enjoyable than the day before. Having started late, we again had to cut it slightly short but the waterfalls, forests and blue skies were a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Article submitted by Gary Box
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At the end of November our bear was in the 'Cann you find it?' cache in Cann Woods near Plympton, Plymouth. He was to remain in the woods for the month of December, finally gaining release on 2nd January, courtesy of The Defender. Unfortunately Heathrow Bear celebrated his freedom a little too hard and after a night on the lash he was served with an ASBO and spent a night behind bars.
Heathrow Bear in Prison - Photo by The Defender
Once released, Heathrow Bear spent the rest of the week with The Defender before being placed in The Travelbug Travelodge (near the A38) on the 8th January.
Article submitted by Gary Box
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This particular Sunday a group of us met early at Hammersmith for the drive to our start point in Withyham. Withyham was a small village, the locals seemingly very competitive when it comes to Christmas lights, as we were to find out once it got dark.
After a short wait for Paul we were ready to begin our walk, leaving the Dorset Arms pub and heading through Buckhurst Park. It was a cold day, the first lake we passed was frozen, though not solid enough to support our weight.
The group chatted as we made good progress, reaching the Sussex border path. We could see an artificial ski slope to our left and the rock outcrops of Bowles Outdoor Pursuits Centre. After a brief stop to eat our packed lunch we continued towards Harrison's Rocks, a place popular with climbers. With light fading we did not spend long here, missing the campfield beyond the rocks which is dedicated to Julie Tullis, a local climber who died on K2 in 1986. It was at these sandstone rocks that we met up with John who decided to join us late. Luckily he had parked close by and with darkness nearly upon us he gave the other car drivers a lift back to the Dorset Arms, passing the garish Christmas lights on the way.
With the whole group together again we decided to find somewhere to eat. Unfortunately the Dorset Arms would not open for some time so we chose to eat in a Thai restaurant on the way back. The restarant seemed pleased to see a large party of customers since they were virtually empty. Everyone tucked into their food after a demonstration of spoon bending by Paul. Meal over, we said goodbye to one another and began the journey back to London.
Article submitted by Gary Box
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3 cottages, 6 cars, 14 people, 8 cases of Champagne and an excessive amount of food, alcohol, boots and energy bars. Ingredients for a lively and eventful New Year trip away to the hills and coast of Pembrokeshire . We all arrived in various modes of transport; some late, some early, some bright, some weary - but we were all eager to start our NYE long weekend (or 5 days for some of us) off with a bang, and plenty of pasta and red wine to welcome us all. We were all thankful that Vicky arrived in her car without fuss - she was carrying all the bottles. The plan for the NYE weekend took in some fine coastal walking, including circumnavigating a windy Strumble Head, complete with sun and salt spray from the choppy sea and a very muddy, under-used and almost-a-river-surely path back to the car.There were plenty of activities to keep us all happy, and I'm sure some people didn't set foot out of the infamous harbour-side Sloop Inn for most of the weekend. Although, there were also some excellent opportunities for blustery cliff top wanderings, early morning runs along the beach, mini trips to St. David's (is that really a city?!), bacon sandwich making marathons, professional DVD watching, rocky cliff scrambling, dodgy country lane driving, much bath soaking and cosy chats and cups of tea in our very comfortable cottages.
The Pembrokeshire Coastline - Photo by Kate Stroud
We spent New Year's sampling the culinary delights of the Sloop Inn - and the Champagne fuelled delights of Ramsey Cottage, complimented by spontaneous musical entertainment from Unmani and Larry (we should be 'Heathrow Hikers and Random Guitar and Flute Legends' I think).
Unmani & Larry provide the music - Photo by Gary Box
Thanks to Paul for being brave enough to offer to cook New Year's Day brunch for all waifs and strays who made the effort to see the New Day in at Caldy Cottage (where were you all? You missed a treat). Then down to the nearby beach to blow the cobwebs away and sip Thermos cooled Bucks Fizz and pocket-warm Roses chocolates - a stab at being indulgent. I think adrenaline and Saul's superb Chilli effort brought New Year's Day's Murder Mystery Evening back from the dead. With costumes and props effortlessly supplied by Gary, Jenny and John (there's a Blue Peter presenter joke in there somewhere), we were all kitted out in Nurses and Doctors paraphernalia and ready for a Columbo-esque challenge (nearly ready; I'm sure some lost the plot somewhere..) We never guessed that behind that sweet smile, Sue, you were a woman of such manipulation and wanton destruction. And Rachel B - there's an Oscar waiting for you somewhere.
Paul complete with silly hat - Photo by Gary Box
Our sexy nurses - Photo by Gary Box
Before the departure of some of the girly crowd on the Bank Holiday Monday, we had a fabulous Pony Trekking outing nr Newgale Beach . The wide, sandy bay and wintry sunshine bathing our weary bodies and refreshing the parts that other ponies cannot reach. For someone that had not even mounted a horse prior to that morning, I thoroughly enjoyed the excursion - it's a great view from atop a meandering mare. I may have been slightly overwhelmed by Rachel W's cool and professional looking gear, but I was also glad my horse didn't break wind as much as Saul's.
Tuesday saw a satisfying jaunt into the Preseli Hills, a magical and mystical place with just the perfect touch of misty low cloud to lend the Bluestone rocks on Mynydd Carningli an ethereal quality. The day began quite dank and grey; welcome to January. Yet we finished in the long shadows of a wintry afternoon; straw-coloured sunshine bathing the fields and highlighting the Preseli hills at last. The evening saw a welcome return to the Sloop, and a sampling of the huge Mad Dog burgers again. We were certainly winding down after a whirlwind wintry adventure - Glyn even managing forty winks in between courses, good effort.
An outstanding effort, led by Pete, to tidy the boys' cottage on Wednesday was greatly appreciated and I still wonder to this day how Gary's cottage managed to depart without making a dent into their food supply (maybe it was all those Fosters cans creating a diversion, Larry). The 6-day marathon ended quite quietly for me, as I waved the last car from a twilight saunter on Newgale Beach and returned to Caldy to examine the lost property and one last bottle of wine. I can honestly say, that this was a most eventful, challenging and satisfying trip away and I'm already contemplating 2006 NYE - who's in?
Article submitted by Kate Stroud
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