Bishops Castle Weekend 2015

Thanks to all those who contributed to a great weekend – that’s everyone who came along!

The weather was reasonably kind to us and the walking varied. With Dennis Glass and John Hammond leading walks they had not done before, and me a section I had not done, the help and assistance of others in the groups (sometimes welcomed, sometimes not!), seemed to add to the entertainment factor of the weekend. Particularly my half mile up a one in seven lane only to come back down again, commemorated after dinner that night by Hefina, Jane and Margaret giving us a brilliant rendition, with actions, of the first few lines of the Grand Old Duke of York – something about marching up and down a hill, I believe.

Thanks to John and Dennis for leading, and to Edmund and Rachel of course, who on Friday afternoon introduced the group to the lovely countryside around Bishops Castle.

Edmund had also arranged our evening meal locations, with the help of their daughter and family who live just down the road in Clun. Talking later about the meals at the Three Tuns, the Castle and the Six Bells, each had people saying ‘that was the best dinner’. One thing for sure, I don’t think anyone left feeling hungry!

It was good to see Pat Stevens and Guto Parry getting the miles in again, after their recent health problems. They were among my list of possible short, short walk participants. However, having travelled to Bishops Castle earlier last week to look at some, only Denis and Monica took advantage of my self guided walk photocopied map – and found their way back! It will be good to see Denis returned to full heath, hopefully soon..

A few years ago Dafydd walked Offa’s Dyke, often classed as the toughest long distance walk in the UK. Having just touched a section of it, on the longer walk from Clun, we can certainly vouch for the steepness of its hills.

Thanks for your £5 donations towards expenses – part went to Dennis and Joan, who were with us at BC in April for the first reccie, though we ruled out the walk they did then – far too many stiles! Camping for a few nights adds up, but not as much as B&B would, having heard about the £65 per night some folk were paying over the weekend. Outch.

Dave