Saturday 25 June 2011

24-26 June - Camping in Anglesey

24-26 June - Camping in Anglesey

Trearddur Bay camping

24 brave and waterproofed campers spent the weekend in Bagnol Camping & Caravan Park, in Trearddur Bay. 
We all survived a wet & windy Friday night, and Saturday dawned rather sea-misty, but at least it was dry!
 
13 people did a walk south of the campsite, heading along the Anglesey Coastal Path, to Borthwen & Silver Bays, and then back, via a rather posh pub, The White Eagle.  4 people heading north, towards South Stack, & others went sight-seeing and bird watching around the same area, had a bike ride and visited family.
 
We all had a BBQ later, and many thanks to Brian & Ursula for the actual BBQ, which later became a wood-burner, which was much appreciated in the misty evening.  Much beer, wine, laughter and Irish music also helped to warm us up!
 
Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, so we got to see Anglesey at its finest, and was a fitting end to a very enjoyable weekend.
Look forward to future camping trips…
 
 

Sunday 19 June 2011

Cruise Sunday 19th June

Cruise Sunday 19th June
 
As a change from the usual Sunday walks programme, 27 intrepid SWOG adventurers boarded the 'Snowdrop' at Salford Quays bound for Liverpool via the Ship Canal.  On taking our seats John H came across his worst nightmare, a full view of Manchester United's ground. Soon we were under way gliding past all the new buildings on the Quays including the New Media City. At first the weather was quite cool and certain of our number adorned themselves with hats and gloves making it look more like an expedition up Kinder. We passed through several locks and many swing bridges before arriving at Eastham Lock  where we entered the Mersey Estuary. By now we had full sunshine and it was a very pleasant cruise down river to the Pierhead at Liverpool. Quite a number of the party continued the nautical theme by visiting the Baltic Fleet. Soon it was time to leave and we were whisked back to Manchester in a fleet of double decker buses.
 
Cap'n Jack

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Sunday 5 June 2011

Churnet Valley 5th June

05 June

We had two walks on 5th June both of them in the Churnet Valley area. 23 of us met up at Deep Hayes Country park just south of Leek. Here we split up with Jack leading one walk and Vince the other. The weather was fair with only a light shower in the afternoon.

Jack's Walk:-
After leaving the country park we walked along the Caldon Canal, past Cheddleton Flint Mill and also Cheddleton Railway station on the preserved steam railway. We then proceeded in a loop over the Staffordshire Moorland Walks, dropping back down into the valley at Consal. As there were no suitable steam trains available we walked back to Cheddleton along the Caldon Canal. After a little refreshment in the Boat Inn we returned to the Country Park by a different route.



Jack
Vince's shorter walk also started at the country park but we soon lost the advance party as we made a stop at The Flint Mill Cheddleton with it's two working water wheels. The cottage was especially interesting furnished as it would have been in the early 19th century although Vince found the mill workings more to his taste. We would liked to have stayed longer but the delights of the steam train beckoned which did not disappoint we even had a first class carriage! We alighted at Froghall to be greeted with sunshine and a vintage bus rally, lunch was taken outside the station buffet where we also enjoyed a cream tea and as people know I enjoy a cream tea! We then headed back along the canal meeting some lovely people along the way, called in at Consall Forge pottery (lots of teapots but no tea) then back to the Country Park where of course we were last to arrive. All in all it was a great day and many thanks to Vince for such an interesting and lovely walk.

Lesley

Photos Here


Photos Here