““AAccttiivvee wwiitthh DDiiaabbeetteess”” WWaallkkiinngg HHoolliiddaayy 22001155 SSuunnddaayy,, 33rd –– FFrriiddaayy,, 88th MMaayy Join the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation and Ramblers Countrywide Holidays as we explore the rolling hills, rural idyll, wildlife and dramatic landscape of the beautiful Peak District National Park in the Derbyshire Dales for our “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holiday 2015. Our Location – The Peak District National Park, Derbyshire The rugged beauty of this area is overwhelming and makes it a wonderful place to walk; rolling hills, tranquil dales, gorges, magnificent rock formations, evidence of a history which changed the world and some beautiful towns of honey coloured stone. We can ascend the rocky precipice of High Tor on wooded paths above the Derwent Gorge, or wander through the picturesque towns of Bakewell and Ashford-in-the-Water. We can scale Monsal Head to take in the stunning panoramic views and encounter Britain’s industrial heritage directly from our hotel at Cromford, built by Sir Richard Arkwright, whose innovative water powered cotton mills kick started the industrial revolution. We can walk on part of the High Peak Trail, an old railway line which closed in 1967, or travel by steam train to Rowsley, before walking back through limestone country with impressive views over the dales. You might also find the time to visit Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Devonshire. The southern peak district is an ideal base for a holiday at these grades. We are surrounded by beautiful limestone crags, valleys, streams and rivers. All of the local high points can be reached easily within our Grade D so we can enjoy the panoramic views over fascinating countryside. This is land sculpted by nature and man throughout history. Our Hotel For the duration of the week, we will stay for five nights at the three-star Willersley Castle Hotel, which is located in the picturesque parkland of Cromford. Willersley Castle is a 200 year old and recently refurbished Grade II listed building commissioned by the industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright. It overlooks the River Derwent and stands in 60 acres of grounds just outside Cromford. Cromford Mill is just a short walk away and the village of Matlock can be reached in a few minutes by car. The hotel has a leisure club which is open to all guests and includes an indoor heated swimming pool, miniature golf and other facilities. The hotel has 30 bedrooms in the castle and 14 bedrooms in the mews block. A lift in the castle serves both the first and second floor bedrooms. The hotel is conveniently situated within a 10-minute walk of Cromford Railway Station. Free parking for hotel guests Choice of twin-bed and single rooms Tea and coffee making facilities Hairdryer and ironing board Swimming pool and fitness club Restaurant and bar and lounge Dining Accommodation and meals are on a half board basis. Breakfast will be served as buffet style with a choice of cooked or continental breakfast, cereals, juices and hot beverages. Our evening meals will be three-course and will be taken in the hotel restaurant, where we will enjoy a hearty meal after a day of active walking and fresh air. Other refreshments, snacks and drinks can be purchased separately in the hotel bar and lounge area. Picnic lunches are not provided as part our package, but can be ordered. Alternatively we can decide whether it would be nicer to find a café or pub and stop to buy lunch at our own leisure. Our Ramblers Countrywide Guide All of our walks will be led by a trained guide from Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Our leader will ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable experience in the great outdoors. Highly experienced individuals, they are friendly and informative and will help us explore the secrets of hidden beauty spots, understand the nature and wildlife of the area and provide us with an altogether deeper appreciation of our countryside. For your extra peace of mind, all leaders have a current first aid certificate and follow an in-house or external, nationally recognised training scheme appropriate to the type of holiday they lead and are experienced in leading groups. For the fifth year in a row, our walking leader in 2015 will be Ms Elizabeth Savage (by mutual request) Elizabeth has led our group on previous walks around the UK and has a great understanding of our groups needs and vice versa. Grade of Walks We will enjoy three full days of walking and a day of easy walking with the option to opt out to explore the local area at our own leisure. We will do the walks together as a group under the leadership of Elizabeth and she will decide on the routes that are most suitable for our group. The walks are ‘Grade D’ and classed as easy to moderate. They will involve long days out. Most walks are around eight miles in distance and will possibly traverse some uneven terrain with some steep climbs and descents. Depending on the weather, the ground could be wet and slippery or dry and arid, so be prepared for anything. Our walks will all be on good paths and although there is no great altitude gain, be ready for some healthy and rigorous exercise and lots of lovely fresh air. Walking and Diabetes During our week in Derbyshire we will be accompanied by our trusted friend Angela Sealeaf who is the Lead Diabetes Nurse Specialist at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax. Angela has been part of the “Active with Diabetes” Walking Holiday since its inception in 2001, and so knows the needs and abilities of our group very well. Angela and I will work with Elizabeth to ensure that the chosen walks reflect the ability of the group. Angela will be present on all the walks to ensure that we are observing safe practice at all times, looking after our feet and managing our diabetes well during the activities. Other Questions Who will be there? The numbers and members of our party differ each year, depending on who books to come. Generally there are between fourteen to eighteen people, so it’s a fairly tight knit group. Some of the walkers in our group are regular attendees that come back year after year to explore a new region, to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Other people may be joining us for the first time and feel a little bit anxious about this. There is no need as our group is always full of warm, welcoming and friendly people that all have something in common. You will be chatting away and feel at home in no time at all. Can I bring a friend or partner? Of course you can. Each year our group is made up of people attending on their own or with a partner friend, husband, wife or family member. However, as mentioned above, once you arrive you will find that you are in the company of friends for the duration of our stay. Rooms can be booked on a twin, single or double basis to suit your needs . What sort of walking ability should I have? The walks will be quite a distance, normally between six to eight miles over varied terrain. It won’t be a walk in the park, but likewise it won’t be an arduous cross country trek. We can walk up hill and down dale, across open farmland and down long coastal paths, through covered woodland and windy village lanes, so prepare for a real mixture of scenery. We will be out of the hotel straight after breakfast and will return in time to shower and change for dinner and a relaxing evening in the hotel lounge. You should be used to long walks or more correctly “rambling” and be prepared for any weather. We always walk to the pace of the group and give encouragement and support to those whose legs might not carry them as quickly as they would like. Will we walk every day? No, on the day we arrive, we will settle in, meet each other and enjoy an evening meal, ready to get a good night’s sleep ahead of our first day of walking. We will enjoy four full days of walking, a day of easy walking and also have some time-out to explore the local area at our own leisure and to give our legs a well earned rest. We have learned through past experience and by listening to our members that a day off in between walking is a most welcome distraction. It will also give you more time to explore the local area and visit the many sites of interest that will be on our doorstep. Do we get breaks? Yes is the simple answer. We will stop for regular breaks during the walks in order to rest our legs, catch our breath and to take on water. We usually carry some of our own personal snacks too. We will stop for lunch at a pre- planned stop and the hotel will be happy to provide packed lunches if we ask them to, otherwise there are normally places to stop for a bite to eat along the way. If we keep to our schedule and don’t get sidetracked, we should even have time for a nice cup of tea and to explore the villages that we pass through or reach at the end of our walking destination. Cost We have worked closely with the team at Ramblers Countrywide to put together a fantastic package for you, which we hope you are pleased with.