Heathrow Hikers - Outdoor Group for West London

From the Editor
Report - Race For Life Charity Event
Update - Heathrow Hikers' Bear
Report - Chilli-Con-Cocktail Party
Report - Kate's Brecon Birthday BBQ
Contact / Submit details

July was a bit of a party month, the group celebrating the birthday's of Jen and Kate by getting away from London. The month also saw a number of our female members take part in the annual 'Race for Life' event to raise money for Cancer charities.

I've always thought that our outdoor activities and the team ethos of the group are perfectly suited to charity events, particularly when we undertake one of our challenge events like a long distance path or three peak challenge.

I hope we will see one or two charity events on the programme in 2007, if you have any ideas for an event or a good cause feel free to get in touch.

Several girls from the group turned out in typical grey London weather. The course was around Regent's Park and as the girls set off, I was left at the start / finish line with the girls' bags.

Some of those taking part were regular runners and wanted to record a decent time, others were simply there to raise some money for charity. Many of those taking part had written the name of the person they were running for on their T-Shirt.

It was only a short circuit and before long the girls were across the finish line where they were each awarded a medal and a small bag of goodies! The bag contained samples of products including de-odourant and something I thought a little sexist......... washing powder!

Some headed home after the run, the rest of us found a pub where after a quick change of clothes we found a table for a meal and drink.

It had been a fun day but most importantly lots of money had been raised for a really worthy cause.

Article submitted by Gary Box

July was another inactive month for Heathrow Bear. He remained with zimon the entire month. Hopefully he will begin his travels again in August.

Article submitted by Gary Box

A cocktail night sounded like a brilliant idea, and so did a Latin-themed party night. so why not combine the two?? I thought I may as well do it for my birthday, so set to work on the harrowing task of researching, testing and practicing cocktail-making! After much deliberation and liver-abuse, we had a list of 11 cocktails and 3 shooters. enough to knock a rhino down!

Having stayed at Jordans YHA before, I knew it would be the ideal spot. not too far to travel, but far enough to have a 'country' feel about it. The paved bbq area with a bonfire pit is the perfect place for a party.

The weather was absolutely fantastic as people started arriving. Some of the boys went hunting for firewood in the surrounding forests and got the bonfire going while others helped get all the bbq food organised. The main party was to be the following night, but that didn't stop anyone. Friday night kicked off the weekend very well indeed!

The group gather around the campfire - Photo by Zhang

On Saturday, we woke to a beautiful blue day and had a cooked breakfast to give us energy for our walk around the local area. The Chilterns is a lovely spot with quite a bit of history, and our first stop was a small graveyard where William Penn's grave is located (founder of the US state of Pennsylvania). We walked past the Mayflower Barn which is believed to have been built out of timbers from the Mayflower pilgrim ship. With our history lesson out of the way, we continued on a lovely non-taxing walk around the local area with a lunchtime pub stop.

Chilterns Walk - Photo by Zhang

Much to our surprise, the pub had masses of Morris Dancers who'd already done their dancing for the day, but a couple of the groups generously gave us a demo. They then invited several of our group to join them, teaching a few basic steps before launching into it with gusto, which was very amusing for everyone, whether participating or watching!

Morris Dancers - Photo by Zhang

On our return to the hostel, everyone prepared for an evening of fun. After the ceremonial bonfire-lighting (which I was given the honour of doing) it was time for the cocktails to begin! Mojitos, frozen mango and strawberry Daquiris, Champagne Cocktails, Mexican Melons, C**k-sucking Cowboy Shots, Margaritas, Brandy Alexanders, Pink Floyd Shots, White Russians. and food somewhere in between! We didn't quite make it through the whole list as planned, but everyone tried their hardest, gave it their best shot, did themselves and their country proud! The party around the bonfire lasted until the early hours (until the wood ran out!).

In the morning, a worse-for-wear Geoff and a couple of others were collected by some of the Backabush group for a daywalk, which I'm told they survived. just. After a huge cleanup of the hostel, people started making their hungover way to the train station for the journey back to London and 'normal' life.

All in all it was a fun weekend, and I've gained quite a lot of very 'valuable' knowledge of cocktail making. very handy! I'll be sure to use it wisely, for the benefit of myself and friends.

Article submitted by Jen Harris

July was a month of hot, hot, hot sun in London and the South East. Even our drive up to the beautiful old red sandstone rock of the Brecon Beacons was accompanied by blistering sunshine, sunglasses, shorts and skimpy vests.  We thought we were in for a treat of summer hill walking in our best Coolmax t-shirts and trekking sandals.

A staggered (not staggering) arrival from the group meant that most of us chillled at the comfy Star Inn Bunkhouse in Bwlch and made a dent in the amazingly large pile of Tesco delivered food and drink (yes, I went shopping mad again).  There was a pub across the road for last orders, complete with old men, pipes, old dogs and some very thirsty southerners.  I think we were all glad that the Brecons aren't as far away as the Lakes or North Wales for a Friday night drive.

The forecast was not promising for Saturday, I'd had my eye on it all week but it just didn't seem possible that we wouldn't be walking in our shorts and t-shirts.

But this is Wales...and we were in for a belter.

Our planned route was to include the distintive Brecon summits of Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Fan y Big and Cribyn.  I was hoping we would get some views this time, as a previous trip last October afforded us with thick cloud, driving rain and a biting northerly wind.  And this was July....surely not.  But, yes.  As we commenced our steep ascent onto the spine-like ridge to Corn Du the clouds encircled us, the wind increased and the rain began to lash horizontally at our summery clothing.  Luckily, we were mostly prepared and our lunch stop under the Group Shelter protected us from the elements while snacking, as well as making us look like a blob-landed-from-Mars-type-shape causing much intrigue for sodden passers-by.  Not even the weather-gods smiled on Gary this time, who is usually very lucky with the elements.  But, with the help of good humour, waterproof bottoms, jelly babies and a few songs we made our way roller-coaster style up and over the sweeping Brecon tops and called it a day at the bwlch between Cribyn and Fan y Big.  Here, there is a wide path back down to the reservoirs below and the cloud remained around us until well into the valley.  The Brecons really were a bleak scene that day!  On return to the bunkhouse the cars were warm and humid, windows misting up from our damp clothes. ZZZzzzzzz.......

After hot bath and showers (could we believe it was 30 degrees in London yesterday?!) we were up and at'em with BBQ preparations.  Although, evening rain dictated the meat be cooked in the oven.  There was plenty of food and drink to be shared, eaten, shaken, stirred, dropped and thrown.  Thanks to Chaya and Ross for the professional burger flippin' and Fiona for providing electric dance moves.  And what the hell were those floating condoms doing??!!  It was a fun Birthday evening, made all the better by slightly tired legs, fuzzy heads, a full belly, a bottomless champagne glass and many merry men.

And all too soon it was Sunday morning....and what a difference a day makes.  We were greeted with glorious sunshine and scudding clouds.  So glorious that Rachel W felt the urge to go for an early morning run into the hills....and a small group of us went for a (very very short) walk up above the bunkhouse to eat birthday cake in the sun.  We were blessed with beautiful views back to a crystal clear Pen y Fan (just our luck after the day before!) and wild horses upon the moor. 

Sunday Stroll - Tom, Con, Rachel & Larry - Photo by Kate Stroud

Back at base, a tremendous cleaning effort ensued - and we divvied out the left over food and booze.  I think there were some sore heads that day, but all was made better by the smiling faces saying goodbye and the views over to Sugarloaf and beyond on our way home.

Article submitted by Kate Stroud

If you have any articles or images you wish to contribute to the next issue of Compass please email them to Gary.

Please try and submit articles as early as possible but not later than the 3rd week of the month if you wish it to appear in the subsequent issue.

Thanks.