Lewes Footpaths Group - Members’ Holidays

Holiday Report Archive

Criel
Mollorca
Cotswolds
Alresford
Rouen
New Forest

Criel 22-24 April 2005

Although not a group holioday as such, seven of us joined a walking weekend organised by East Sussex County Council to join French walkers who had come to Sussex last year. There were 27 from Sussex, including people from Newhaven and Hailsham walking groups. We sailed from Newhaven at 8am and arrived at the Chateau where we were staying in time for an afternoon walk towards the cliffs and then back in time for dinner. The next day it was an all-day walk inland from Criel up the beautiful river valley with a stop to look at an ancient church with stories of murder and intrigue and a picnic lunch taken at a village hall which used to be a church. The day ended at a bar in the village where we enjoyed refreshments. The next morning it was off to visit a cider and apple brandy making farm. After lunch we walked eastwards along the coast to see a seaside town in the next valley with unique architecture from the days when it was a fashionable resort for sea bathing (shades of Brighton?). We retuned to tour the town hall, once a hospital. After dinner it was off to Dieppe to catch the return ferry and so back to Lewes after 1pm. We all enjoyed the hospitality of our French friends and special thanks to Agnes for leading us on the walks and to those who organised the event on both sides of the channel. A wonderful weekend.

The cliffs at Criel and our leader, Agnes

Picnic lumch in the village hall and the group from Sussex

Our simple abode and the group from Lewes

Holiday Report Index

Mallorca 4-11 March 2005

19 members enjoyed a tough week of walking in Mallorca staying at a waterfront hotel in Port d'Andratxfrom where we had five all-day walks. The first day was an easy walk to lull us into a false sense of security, then it was up into the mountains for some challenging, but wonderful walks. These walks took us to the former monastery at La Trapa, to St Elm, Castell d'Alaro as well as the Archduke's bridle path near Valldemossa. The terrain was often rough as well as very hilly but the views obtained from the mountains at heights of almost 3,000 feet were magnificent. Fortunately little rain was encountered although it was quite windy and cold at times, however the sun was bringing out the almond blossom whilst the orange groves and gnarled olive trees were very attractive. A free day was also included in the middle of the holiday when visits were made either to Palma or Soller. A few photographs will give you an idea of the terrain.

Yes, we did climb to the top of this mountain to visit the castle and the tea shop at the top!

Holiday Report Index Crudwell April 2003

Twentyfour members gathered at Minety for the start of the first walk of this holiday. Most of them are shown below.

Walking across fields we saw horses and encountered numerous stiles (always the way when walking on the flat). The sun shone and apart from some difficulty with the crossing of a wide ditch (see photo), the walk went without hitch and we returned to pub from whence we had started to regain the cars for the drive to Crudwell, just south of Cirencester, and the hotel where we were staying. The hotel was most welcoming and very comfortable. The evening meal that first evening soon convinced us that the food was going to be very good, and it was.

The Cotswolds at this time of year were at their best, not too many visitors but simply beautiful with the old stone villages enhanced by an abundance of spring flowers and a hint of lacy green leaves emerging in the trees.

The next day we set off for an all-day walk which included the delightful village of Bibury with its trout farm and the famous row of ancient cottages. Many took tea in the warm sunshine in the village befoire heading back to the hotel.

On Sunday our walk started and ended at Chedworth where we visited the remains of a Roman villa there and learnt of the legacy of Roman influence in the area. Malmsebury and its Abbey gardens were a favourite spot after the walk and although not all was in bloom, it was still an impressive sight.

Our final walk was on Monday morning starting and finishing at Purton. We encountered some very difficult stiles and only wish that Wiltshire would look after its paths rather more dilligently.

Altogether another very enjoyable weekend and many thanks to Bert for organising it.

Holiday Report Index

Alresford October 2002

Twenty eight members of the group had along walking weekend this week based at the Georgian Town of Alresford. We stayed at the Swan a coaching Inn in the centre of the town and walked on each of the four days, each walk having a historical point of interest. Our first half days walk was from the village of Cheriton and we walked through the site of the Battle of Cheriton which took place in 1644 between the Royalists and the Roundheads.

Saturday was an all day walk taking us up over the Twyford Down cutting to St Catherine’s Hill which gave wonderful views of Winchester. The hill was the site of an Iron Age fort and we were glad of the shelter of the trees which now surround the area from squally rain. We compared the gash of the cutting with that of the Brighton by pass now covered in grasses and buses and much less intrusive.

On Sunday we saw the watercress beds for which the area is famous and gave the name to the restored steam railway line. On our free afternoon many of us took to the trains for a very eventful train ride fraught with delays caused by trees on the line due to the bad weather. On our last day we walked through the woods and on tracks around the hamlet of Abbas and had an excellent lunch by the side of a warming open fire in the excellent pub called the trout.

This was en excellent weekend with good food and walks and we are very grateful to our leaders Gordon, Eileen and Jessica who gave the historical commentary.

Holiday Report Index

Autumn Holiday in Rouen 2002

The sun was shining when we met at Newhaven Ferry Terminal for the Seacat crossing to Dieppe and it was great to see Gordon and Eileen at the starting point! Gordon was without a passport until 7.00 am ‚ not I hasten to add through any lack of organization skills on his part, but a hold-up with a visa application for his Middle Eastern trip. The crossing was smooth and uneventful and the shuttle bus was waiting, giving us time for a coffee and baguette at the station before taking up our reserved seats for Rouen. A short walk then to the Hotel Versan our base for the weekend.

Gerard and two or three others from ARRP met us shortly after for a walking tour of Rouen, starting at the City Hall the oldest Renaissance edifice still standing in Rouen. On then to St Ouen's Abbey, sadly closed following a hurricane much the same as we had in 1987. It was once one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in Normandy. Through the narrow lanes of timber framed houses, so many and so well preserved. On to the Cathedral in the centre of the City, reflecting the Gothic architecture and the Claude Monet statues on the faÁade, many of these are now inside the Cathedral awaiting restoration. Then, in complete contrast, to the St Joan of Arc's Church built on the site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. The vast stained glass windows had been removed from St Vincent's Church which was later destroyed in the D-Day Offensive.

On Saturday morning we were out again and back on the train to Montville for our walk through the forest. A steep climb out of Montville, to be humbled by Ann and Janet who had walked this on their recce complete with luggage! A picnic lunch on the way with goodies purchased from the patisserie. We caused havoc in Le Houlme where we were to catch the bus back to Rouen. After a long discussion with driver as to whether it would take us to our destination there was much hooting and excitement as all eighteen of us boarded, only to get off at the first stop to catch the bus behind, causing yet more hooting from the following cars!

On Sunday we were out early to meet Gerard and friends for a visit to the Sunday market, a fantastic array of flowers, fruit, both hot and cold food. Tragedy struck here for me when I discovered I had lost my wallet containing both cash and cards. It was a chilling thought for a moment or two but I then remembered I had Card Insurance and all was not lost. We joined ARRP for a Charity Walk again through the forest with some fairly steep climbs. In spite of our advanced years we acquitted ourselves well against a much younger local contingent. On our return ARRP entertained us with champagne and nibbles and it was a very happy band that caught the bus back to Rouen.

After reporting the loss of my cards etc. it became obvious that I needed to report my loss to the Police and I opted out of the walk from Port St Ouen to Franqueville St Pierre and Ian and I made tracks to the Gendarmerie - it was an enjoyable walk on the other side of the river. I cannot comment on the group walk but was told it was the best of all ‚ but then they would say that wouldn't they! We had time for lunch in Rouen before catching the train to Dieppe. The journey back was uneventful, the crossing was calm and we arrived back in Newhaven on schedule. Our thanks to Ann and Janet for arranging a super weekend. It was good to stay in Rouen and to be able to explore the City and to enjoy some cafÈ life. For my part, not being a regular walker with LFG, once again I felt thoroughly at home and my thanks to everyone for this.

Don

Holiday Report Index

New Forest Holiday April 2002

Our group of 19 met up at the Royal Oak in North Gorley, a charming thatched inn, where we were able to sit outside in April sunshine to enjoy a drink before going inside for an excellent lunch (pre-ordered and speedily served). Ponies were ambling around the car park as we set off for a two hour circular walk over Gorley Hill and Common to Abbots Well, giving us our first taste of the forest.

We checked in later at the delightful Ashburn Hotel in Fordingbridge, welcomed by a portly tabby cat who liked to oversee all such activities. After an excellent three course dinner Bert briefed us on the following day's programme.