www.pdwc.org Vol: 23 Issue 13 13 December 2009

AMBLESIDE & Coaches leave Grasmere at 4.30pm

FUTURE WALKS Coach Walks 8.30am Start : 4.30pm Return Sun 10 Jan Sedbergh A: V Walmsley B+: A Ingham B: C Hunt C: D Lowe Sun 7 Feb Coniston via Ambleside A: G Hogg B+: D Thornton B: E Jackson C: W Manning

Thursday Car Walks 10.30am Start Thurs 14 Jan Cockerham B Walk with Frank Gillibrand Meet at the village hall Thurs 11 Feb Darwen Tower B Walk with Jill & Bernard Croft Meet at Roddlesworth Info Centre

Sunday Car Walks 10.30am Start Sun 27 Dec Scorton C Walk with Derek Lowe Meet at Scorton picnic site 7½ miles / 12km climbing 500ft / 152m From the Scorton picnic site we head for the village and then take the road on our left which takes us under the motorway. Field paths take us to Higher Lane from where we have a nice gradual stroll up the Grizedale Valley. We then head north east to Siphon Well and End before returning on field paths back to Scorton. A meal at The Barn in Scorton will follow – details from Derek. Sun 24 Jan Abbeystead B Walk with Jackie & Sheila Meet at Stoops Bridge GR564544 Sun 24 Jan Longton C Walk with Derek Lowe Meet at the Golden Ball Pub

Allan Benson will take over as Coach Booking Secretary as from January 2010 Our thanks go to Peter Barnes who has done stirling work as Coach Booking Secretary for the last five years .

Club Holiday 11 th – 16 th April 2010 The Rex Hotel, Weymouth, Dorset This ***hotel is situated opposite the Esplanade, overlooking Weymouth Bay. The cost will be £350 per person for half board in double or twin rooms. A deposit of £30 is required, with a cheque payable to Preston and District Walking Club sent to Dorothy Shackleton at the address shown on the Programme and indicating whether double or twin rooms are required. .

st Following the AGM, annual Subscriptions now become due on 1 January and should be paid by the last day in February .

Club Dinner th The annual club dinner will be held on Friday 12 February at the Derby Arms, Thornley, near Longridge. There will be three courses with choice followed by tea or coffee. The cost will be £16.50 , payable on the night. Sign up on the coaches or - bookings to Tony Ingham

Seat belts are a legal requirement. Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times. The coaches are non-smoking areas. Editor: Maurice Bradbury Please note – Walk details must be in 2 (TWO) weeks before each coach excursion. Today’s Walks Today’s starting points: 1. B: Windermere 2. A: Ambleside 3. B+,C: Grasmere

ALL WALKS MAY BE SUBJECT TO ALTERATION ON THE GROUND

Fairfield with Graham Hogg

Grade. A Distance 9 miles / 14.5km Climbing 3200ft / 975m We start today’s walk in Ambleside at the junction of the Kirkstone Road and the A591. After making our way to Low Sweden Bridge we begin the gradual climb to Low Pike. The ridge continues to rise as we proceed to High Pike and then Dove Crag (2598ft / 792m). From here we have a short descent before climbing again to Hart Crag (2697ft / 822m) and then on to our highest point of the day - Fairfield at 2864ft / 873m. From the summit, we head south-west to Great Rigg and then descend to Grasmere village via Heron Pike and Alcock Tarn. .

Eagle Crag with Dave Thornton . Grade B+ Distance 8 miles / 12.9km Climbing 1800ft / 549m

Starting from Grasmere village we take the Easedale road and follow Sourmilk Gill up to Easedale Tarn. We climb steeply up to Codale Tarn and continue climbing to the path from Langdale to Chapel Stile. On a good day the views from here are superb. We continue past , Blea Rigg and Great Castle How, descending to Swinescar Hause to Wray Gill and its waterfalls. This comes as an unexpectedly beautiful gorge which we follow down into Grasmere.

Windermere to Ambleside with Colin Hunt Grade B Distance 8 miles / 12.9km Climbing1150ft / 351m

Leaving the coach at Windermere station we climb 400ft / 122m to the summit of Orrest Head. We now descend to Moorhowe Road and then take Dubb Road past Dubbs Reservoir. When we meet the Garburn Road we go south west to Troutbeck. Here we go via Robin Lane and Skelghyll Wood to Ambleside or, should the weather be near perfect, we could go over Wansfell Pike. This second route is a little shorter but has more climbing and will only be taken if everything is favourable .

Two Waters with Stephen Watson Grade C Distance 5½ miles / 8.9km Climbing 450ft / 137m

Today’s walk is a circumnavigation (ooooh!) of the picturesque waters of Grasmere and Rydal. I shall be relating a bit of the local history of the area as we go and explaining the use of the famous patented Ambleside Underwater Lawn Mowers and the savage Herdwick breed of sheep. Heading out of Grasmere in a south easterly direction we pass Dove Cottage (the home of Wordsworth during his most creative period) and follow a well defined path beneath Nab Scar as we head for the tiny hamlet of Rydal. Over the main road we cross the river Rothay by way of Pelter Bridge (great for Pooh Sticks!) and head for the south shore of Rydal Water. Leaving Rydal behind and picking up a little height we cross Loughrigg Terrace where fine views of Grasmere Water can be had. If weather conditions are poor we will take a lower path. We stay close to the water’s edge for some distance before leaving the wet stuff behind as we pick up a minor road to take us back to Grasmere in time for a brew and a bit of sight seeing before the coach ride and a snooze on the way home. PLEASE NOTE: as most of you are aware my walks are always set at a sedate pace in order that everyone can enjoy the walking and climbing at their own pace. Speeders will be shot in the leg so, if you feel this may be a little slow for you, I suggest trying the B walk with Colin.

A seasonal message from your President On behalf of your Officers and Committee I would like to wish all our members A Very Happy Christmas and a Good Walking New Year.

Dorothy Please help to keep the coaches clean by removing muddy boots. Please check that you have all your belongings and take newspapers etc. away with you. Thank you.