Friday 14th- Sunday 16th October 2022 Llanidloes, Mid Wales
Friday 24th- Sunday 26th June 2022 Robin Hood's Bay, North York Moors
Any true Yorkshireman would readily nominate Robin Hood's Bay as being the finest stretch of coastline in England.Certainly, the picturesque village with its tightly packed stone cottages and their red pantiled roofs descending either side of a small, steep valley to the rocky foreshore takes some beating. Once it was the haunt of fishermen who had a nice side line smuggling contraband of tea, tobacco and brandy. Nowadays it's photographers, painters and day trippers who throng the narrow alleyways and sea shore. It can be very busy on summer weekends, but most of the crowds disappear by the evening.
Wainwright chose wisely for the destination of his self penned Coast to Coast Walk- Britain's most attractive and varied long distance walk.Either side of the village the coastal cliff path can be followed north to Whitby or south to Ravenscar and Scarborough. The disused Whitby to Scarborough railway line, running roughly parallel to the coastline, has been converted to pedestrian use, so can be easily accessed to form different circular routes. One word of warning however, the coastal path south of Boggle Hole can be muddy and slippery after heavy rain and in places can be affected by landslips. Alternative delights can be found elsewhere inland around Goathland in Heartbeat Country, the North York Moors Steam Railway, and Whitby with its Abbey and the nearby Whitby Brewery Tap.
The Old School Bunkhouse is the former village school converted into an outdoor activity centre, There are a recommended 36 beds (possibly 41) with bedding in 9 bedrooms of 4 or 6 beds. There is a communal lounge and a small kitchen. Toilets and showers are limited to 4 of each which may explain why there is an optimum size. Adequate parking is adjacent to the bunkhouse.
Robin Hood's Bay is situated a couple of miles off the A171 Whitby-Scarborough road. Enter the upper Victorian part of the village towards the Bank Top Car Park. Go past the Victoria Hotel on the left. At the roundabout turn left to the lower old village before the car park entrance. Go downhill, pass the Laurel Inn on the left, and within 50 yards as you cross King's Beck turn right uphill on a minor road (Fisherhead). At the second bend is the white painted Old School Bunkhouse with its open aspect.
The historic Bay Hotel on the sea front is a popular place for food and drink during the day, Ye Olde Worlde Dolphin nearby was the best pubIn the village, but appears to be closed now. Equally, the Laurel Inn may no longer be open to non-residents. At the top of the hill the Grosvenor and Victoria Hotels are larger establishments with good food and drink.
Please send Gustav a deposit of £ 5 to book a bed.
Friday 18th- Sunday 20th March 2022 Rhoscolyn, Isle of Anglesey
Island Hopping for the new decade. Not just one but two for SHOT's very first 'over seas' trip. Anglesey may be known by some as the place where during an earlier visit Roman Legions came ashore and slaughtered the local population in their thousands thus destroying the last stronghold of Druidism. For many other people Holy Island and Holyhead off its west coast are places encountered en route to Ireland. But Anglesey is also known for possibly the two best afternoon tea establishments in the whole of Wales- Bakers of Benllech and Tim's Tea Shop at Four Mile Bridge, which hopefully will soon attain legendary status.
Rhoscolyn and the nearby Borthwen Beach on the south side of Holy Island are less frequented than the more popular Trearddur Bay and Silver Bay. A short walk away from the White Eagle pub in Rhoscolyn is the very well appointed and comfortable Outdoor Alternative Centre -named on the OS map as Cerig-yr-adar (GR 278752). The purpose built centre consists of two buildings each sleeping 20 people. One has 2x2, 1x4 and 2x6 beds and the other 1x3, 3x4 and 1x5 beds. The Centre has a very good website with excellent travel instructions so use that. Please note however, especially when travelling in the dark, that there are two bridges to cross once leaving the A55. The first goes back over the A55 dual carriageway once through Valley and the second is a low lying one crossing water of the 'inland sea' at Four Mile Bridge.
The Anglesey Coastal Footpath can be accessed easily from the Centre initially following sandy bays and low cliffs before rising to the more dramatic South Stack and North Stack either side of Holyhead Mountain. This section could be a bit breezy at times but well worth the effort to witness the seabirds making light work of it all. A very short walk (less than one hour) following the inland section of the Coastal Footpath leads directly to the very friendly Tim's Tea Shop at Four Mile Bridge. Any one with salt in their blood could also spend time watching ferry boats in Holyhead Harbour and imagine what life working above water was like. Tim, Andy and Nessie all know Anglesey extremely well so can offer alternative suggestions or preferences especially if the weather turns foul.
Please send Gustav a deposit of £ 5 to book a bed.