HTAG Guildford - Country Walks Newsletter March 06

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Country Walks Newsletter March 06

Country Walks Newsletter March 2006

Issue No 9: March 2006

Dear Country Walker,

We had hoped to tell you about our visit to India and walking 'Down Under' but we had to cancel the great trip when Aubrey developed Labyrinthitis last November. Having walked away most of the effects of his illness, (see the philosopher Kierkegaard below!), he has now recovered and will be leading walks with me in April.

We very much look forward to resuming the walks in April and seeing you all again soon.

Aubrey and June

On Walking

Above all, do not lose your desire to
walk; every day I walk myself into a
state of well-being and walk away from
every illness. I have walked myself into
my best thoughts, and I know of no
thought so burdensome that one
cannot walk away from it.
(Kierkegaard)

Additional Websites

With our new Applemac software we can create an infinite number of small websites, each providing slide shows of photographs taken on any number of our weekend walks. These can be viewed by anyone with access to the internet and we can email the details to you.

Each new website is password protected and therefore accessible only to our own email subscribers. If, however, you do not wish to appear in any of the photographs, let us know so we can respect your privacy.

Diary of a St David's Weekend: October 2005
By Dorothy Allen

June and Aubrey had thought "How about Pembroke?"
Well, I came with the group and I became hooked.
An awful trip down, weather wet and unkind
But we reached Warpool Court and phew, what a find.
A stunning hotel with views to the bay
Across broad swathes of grass and bales of hay.
To the south, Skomer Island and further, Grassholm,
The latter important for gannets, as home.

On Saturday, sixteen rushed off for the bus
To Newgale they dashed up and down cliffs - no fuss.
The slothful ones pottered, took coffee and tea
And found bus times and advice at the nice TIC.
We all met at Solva, the Cambrian Inn
Where some ate a lot - chips includedtherein.
We all joined together for the five mile ramble,
But the coast path, with June, was no gentle amble!
Aubrey declaimed verse (which was cosy)
Until he involved Caroline as "his Rosie"!!
Other folk on the coast path looked slightly sad
At seeing these people who sounded quite mad!

Sunday, idyllic - blue seas and pink thrift
And glorious views made the whole day a gift.
The boat trip round Ramsey the highlight of the day
With seals and gannets and peregrines and spray.
We were told "lift your rucsacs" and I soon found out why
My boots filled with sea water and not much stayed dry.
A convoy of cars took us back to our rooms
(Nothing left to chance with Aubrey and June).
Later, at the Cathedral, the bells rang
And, inside, the choir quite beautifully sang.
Then, a last noisy meal, fond farewells all too soon
And a huge vote of thanks to Aubrey and June.
(Dorothy Allen)

We were delighted with Dorothy's gem of a poem; let's have some more poems, contributions or tips relating to walking for the summer newsletter!

Walking Breaks 2006

All dates at our two new venues for 2006, The Purbeck Hills and The Quantocks, have been fully booked since November and have waiting lists. The Pembrokeshire Coast also has a waiting list but The Southern Cotswolds has one extra room which has just become available at a b and b at Wotton-Under-Edge in The Cotswolds (7-9 July). If you are interested, (single or double) please email info@country-walks.com or phone 020 7233 6563. Please note that we will be away in Swanage and The Quantocks between 15 and 26 March.

New Walks

A Walk for Diana
Staffhurst Wood,
Thorncombe Park

Everyone loved our previous London walk so much, we have now organised a new route with quite different features through four of London's most beautiful parks. A Walk for Diana is dedicated to the memory of the late Princess of Wales and focuses on the famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life. We have timed this to coincide with the full dress rehearsal of the Trooping of the Colour ceremony on 10th June - an exciting spectacle!

A new Staffhurst Wood walk breaks entirely new ground to the eastern edge of Surrey while the new Thorncombe Park walk to the west includes some of the finest countryside most easily accessible from Guildford, Godalming and London via the A3.

Contacts:

Tel: 020 7233 6563

or

their website