Friday 14th - Sunday 16th March 2025, Rowarth, Peak District

The foothills of the Pennines contain many surprises. Tucked away inside the far western edge of the Peak District National Park is a secluded valley. There is only one road into it, although many footpaths and bridleways find a way as well - the Pennine Bridleway skirts the eastern perimeter. Rowarth is indeed an isolated village, but it does attract the crowds on summer weekends. The Children's Inn is a former 17th coaching inn which was acquired by Stockport Girl Guides. It is very well equipped, although thetwo shower rooms will be in great demand for the size of any group staying there. All sorts of party games are available to be playedin the large activity room. There are 30 comfy beds in four bedrooms (2x6, 1x8 and 1x10 beds). One of the 6 bedded rooms is reserved forNigel and his brood. At the moment there are still two spare beds. Blankets are available, but it is advisable to BRING a sleeping bag and/or a pillow.

Getting to Rowarth is NOT straight forward. The address is Hollinsmoor Road, Rowarth SK22 1DK. The trick is to access the minor road going north from New Mills along the ridge to Charlesworth near Glossop. This ridge road can also be reached from the west going up the steep hill directly from Marple Bridge through Moorend. Once on the ridge road watch out for signs to Rowarth and also The Little Mill Inn. On the top keep a keen eye out for a junction with a minor road descending to the east. (This is the boundary of the National Park, but you wouldn't know it). Descend the steep roadand after about 300m you will see on the left what appears to be a row of terraced houses. This is Children's Inn. Just beyond it on the left is the car park.If for some reason you miss this and continue straight down the road for another 500m you will reach the Little Mill Inn and a dead end at the bottom.

On summer weekends the Little Mill Inn is very popular with family groups. In the daytime it can resemble a mini Disneyland. Despite it's location the pub does attract a surprising number of people for evening food. The pub is very spacious and was relatively recently tastefully modernised. There are a lot of dining tables, so a group of our size should not be a problem as long as the landlord has been informed in advance. He is quite happy to receive notification a few days in advance. So a menu will be circulated to the SHOT contingent one week before for folk to decide if they want to eat on Friday and/or Saturday nights. The menu is itself a good standard one with two of three changeable special options. Landlord is proud of his locally sourced food, although a Holt's beer from Manchester could be swapped for something more interesting. Thornsett Brewery is less than one mile away across the fields!

Many of the best view points are those from lesser hills looking towards higher ground. Several of these can be found in the vicinity of Rowarth providingstunning views of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow for example. Modestly sized Lantern Pike is one such hill. Chinley Churn and South Head south of Hayfieldoffer truly panoramic views, whilst Cown Edge gives a surprising view of Greater Manchester! The Little Mill Inn has produced an attractive free leaflet describing five walks starting from the pub. Robin Hood's Picking Rods and a mysterious new stone circle by Near Slack Farm may also entice some people.Because of Rowarth's isolated location driving towards Kinder Scout and Bleaklow for more demanding walks necessitates a much longer drive. If you havetime on Sunday the Millenium Walkway and the Park beneath the Town at New Mills is worth a visit, as are the lock flight and acqueduct in Marple.

Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd June 2025, Deiniolen, Snowdonia

Having been fuelled by a supply of marmite flavoured cheese straws from Zoe, Katherine completed the recent Manchester Marathon in an excellent time of less than six hours. So well done the Swindon Belle. Katherine may now well be looking forward to this trip as our own Queen of the Wire has previously survived the world's fastest zip line at nearby Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda and may be tempted to do a repeat run, or is it a flight? Unfortunately for some folk, Zip World have proposed several ludicrous additions in recent years to their portfolio including one across Thirlmere in the Lake District. After a massive public outcry Zip World finally dropped this idea as the RAF were rather concerned that one of their very expensive low flying jets may have got sliced in half!

Deiniolen is very much a classic North Wales slate mining village between the enormous excavations at Bethesda and Llanberis. Lon Dryll Outdoors was once a cottage and barn just outside the village. It has been converted into a luxurious outdoor centre owned by the Williamson's family. Check out their website. The accommodation is split between the Main House and the Bunkhouse. There is a dining room, kitchen, lounge, games room, plus showers and bedrooms shared between the two buildings. The Main House has 3 bedrooms containing 13 beds with a mixture of doubles, bunkbeds and singles. Likewise with the Bunkhouse. This time 4 bedrooms with 17(18) beds. All the beds have bedding. The Wellington Inn just a 12 minute walk away in Deiniolen doesn't do food, but does sell Big Boy Welsh Bitter. So Nigel has agreed to use SHOT funds to provide a bar-b-que feast on Saturday using the fire pit at Lon Dryll. Just bring along your own beverages. I am sure a compliment of Burger Boys will keep everyone well satisfied.

With some judicious planning and a bit of higgledy piggledy navigation it should be possible to devise linear walks direct from Lon Dryll up Elidir Fach or Carnedd y Filiast at the end of the Glyders range, over 2 or 3 peaks then finish with a descent into the Ogwen or Nant Peris valleys where cars could be parked beforehand by those doing the same route in return. But it must be said, that good weather weekends do bring out the crowds and car parks do fill up. Alternatively, become a tourist splash the cash on a Zip Wire, a mountain railway or even visit a castle.

Lon Dryll is located about 500m North West of Deiniolen approximately where Rhiwen is printed on the OS Snowdon/Conway 1:25,000 Outdoor Leisure Map. Grid Reference 571636. Beware that the little red squares denoting Bunkhouses may be confusing (some are now erroneous). Do Not use Sat Nav. It is not too difficult to find the location. Coming off the A55 North Wales Expressway near Bangor follow the A4244 towards Llanberis. After about 3 miles this will come to a roundabout with the B4366 and B4547. Stay on the Llanberis road A4244 (ie first exit) and less than two miles later near the brow of a hill there is a Texaco petrol station on the left. Turn left at the next road junction towards Deiniolen. Follow this for half a mile and locate a lane with Lon Dryll sign by a house on the right hand side. Go down the lane which bends right and terminates at Lon Dryll. If you have ended up at Deiniolen village and The Wellington Inn then you have missed the lane.

There are still a few beds available. Please contact Gustav if you need one.

Friday 17th - Sunday 19th October 2025, Pantygelli, Black Mountains

More info to come soon

Friday 5th - Monday 8th December 2025, Porto, Portugal

Porto, the second largest city in Portugal and one that not many people have visited so this years Christmas trip will be here. It has a good selection of things to see and do, there is a funicular, cable car, plenty of port cellars and one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world, well that's me sorted but I am sure there is plenty there for everyone.

Let Tim and Mark know that you are coming and what hotel rooms you need and we will sort hotel rooms nearer the time.

Please book your own flights as usual.

Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd March 2026, Muker, Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales

More info to come soon