December News letter.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

 I cannot believe that it is nearly Christmas already.  Hopefully you have all had a good year and are looking forward to spending time with family and friends over the holiday.
We are starting our celebrations tomorrow with lunch at the catering college in Birkenhead.  It should be a good do and we are looking forward to seeing everyone there.
Annual subscriptions will be due shortly and I attach the subscription form for completion at the end of the Newsletter. 
Past Events
9 October 2013 Wednesday.  Rob Powell led 3 walkers on a circular walk from Royden
Park, along the side of Arrowe Park via Limbo Lane and Harrock Wood to Irby returning over Thurstaston Hill along the escarpment and through Royden woods. The weather was mixed with bright spells, grey clouds and windy gusts and we made it back to The Cottage Loaf just before the deluge. Six more members joined us for a tasty lunch and lively conversation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16 October 2013 Wednesday.  Peter Brindley organised a tour of the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum and nine members met for morning coffee at 11.30 hrs in the Cafe.  A volunteer took us to the Island Warehouse building where he gave us a potted history of the canal system and showed us several types of narrow boats and barges which were on display under cover in this massive historic listed building.  The driving rain and blustery showers limited our tour of the upper and lower dock basins and surrounding locks but our guide showed us several partly submerged hulks in a covered basin which were being restored.  We moved on to a small building across the lock which housed The Story of Ellesmere Port with lots of historical photographs. Then we made a dash back through the rain via The Stables to the cafe for lunch prior to a short narrow-boat trip along the canal.  There is so much industrial history to see that another visit will be necessary when the sun is shining in order to explore the quayside and many other buildings.  Thanks Peter for an interesting tour.

22 October 2013 Tuesday.  Nine members met at The Great Mogul Pub by Maghull Station for lunch and a good natter.

27 October 2013 Sunday.  Eleven Members arrived at The Windermere Hydro, Bowness for the Autumn Break and four more arrived on Monday.  It was lovely to meet up with friends from Liverpool, Derby, Nottingham, Heathrow and Norfolk.  We enjoyed some sunny spells and clear views of the mountains on our walks.
On Monday we walked from the Hydro, crossed on the ferry, then along the shore of Lake Windermere and up through the woods to Far–Sawry.  We stopped at The Cuckoo Brow Inn for lunch and enjoyed superb home-made food.  We returned via the village, through fields and lanes to the ferry, and back to the Hydro just as the rains came. 

Tuesday.  We went to Ambleside by car in torrential rain and set off from Rothay Park to walk around the lower paths of Loughrigg Fell past Loughrigg Tarn and through Deer Bolts Wood to reach Loughrigg Terrace high above Grasmere Lake.  A few minutes after starting in the rain the sun came out and we enjoyed some spectacular views and a vast array of autumn colours. We descended the path around Rydal Water to reach the Badger Pub at the far end of the lake.   Home-made soup and fresh bread was spot on!  A mile walk along a flat lane took us back to Ambleside just as the heavy rain started.  The non walkers visited Ambleside and took a trip on the steamer and enjoyed the shopping.   After dinner there was a quiz set by Eunice which brought out the competitive spirit from the three teams. 

Wednesday. We walked from The Hydro over Biskey Howe and up the lane past Helm Farm passing some beautiful houses and magnificent scenery.  We linked up to a cart track on the Dales Way which took us out to the Kendal/Bowness road and we returned along the Dales Way through woodland, fields and lanes. The non walkers visited Sizergh Castle and some local cultural exhibitions.  After dinner we had two games of Pictionary in the same teams as on Tuesday and it was hilarious.  Some members of the Rotary Club dinner looked in hoping to join in the fun!  The atmosphere was very happy and a fitting way to end another great break at Windermere. 

13 November 2013 Wednesday.  Reg Griffiths led five members on a circular walk from St Michaels Station via the Festival Garden and along the riverside promenade to the Otterspool Pub for lunch where he was joined by another five members.  The sun shone for most of the walk and there was lots to talk about over lunch.  Thanks Reg for another good day out.

Eunice Powell