Tavistock Ramblers Summer 2020 Advert Cotswold Outdoor Summer 2020 Walks Programme Reflections From The Chair ne way of remembering which way to move the hour hand when the clocks Ochange is to say “Spring Forward, Fall Back”. Well spring is upon us, and despite the gloomy weather we have had of late, we hope this programme will inspire you to spring forward with the optimism of more spring-like weather. It has been established that walking can increase muscle tone, boost metabolism, ease stress, raise energy levels, improve sleep and could help with weight loss. That is provided a good day out walking doesn't give you too good an appetite. Calories you may have lost through going up hill, down dale, negotiating mud, jumping streams, clambering stiles etc (all part of a Tavi Rambler’s day out) have often been promptly re-established by the not uncommon cream tea or gooey cake afterwards. That, too, has its positive points (not necessarily the calorie intake) in that it is where the social side of walking with a group kicks in: friendships are formed, relationships even, some who have arrived with problems have derived support through friendship and consistency. This tends to be a further by-product of walking, indeed it is often the case with a lot of shared interest groups, particularly so in walking’s case where the group could well have puffed up hill, slithered down through mud, braved whatever the weather throws at us (character building I admit, but not untypical). So with this spring programme, spring into life, put a spring in your heels and get out there. It remains for me to thank everyone involved in the production of this programme: the walks leaders whose efforts are listed here for us all to enjoy, to the production team whose artistic and organisational skills are brought together to produce a good summer’s worth of healthy outdoor enjoyment and probably some cream teas and gooey cakes as well. Rosemary Walks Guidance Notes We welcome all Ramblers members on our walks. Non-members are also welcome to join us on a walk or two before deciding to join Ramblers. Walks Meeting Points Our Group encourages car sharing and we meet in Tavistock to share transport FOR ALL OF THE WALKS IN THIS PROGRAMME other than evening walks or if specifically stated otherwise. The meeting point is the free car park in Pixon Lane, Tavistock, PL19 9BB (just below the Market Inn). Note that the programme shows the time that we meet at Pixon Lane. The time in brackets is the time that we anticipate we will start walking. Note that we do leave the Tavistock meeting point promptly. Those wishing to make their own way to the start point of the walk should check with the leader to confirm that there have been no changes in details. Drivers usually appreciate it when passengers make a voluntary contribution. As a guide, £1 to £4 according to distance travelled, is considered a reasonable amount to offer. Please bring clean shoes to change into if a passenger in another walker’s car. Safety Information Walks take place over ground that may be steep, uneven, slippery, muddy or rough and can involve climbing stiles and crossing streams. No liability is accepted by the leader or Tavistock Ramblers in respect of any personal loss, damage or injury that occurs on, or as a consequence of, any walk or event. Walkers should wear suitable footwear and clothing appropriate to the walk and weather conditions and bring adequate food and drink. Always bring an extra snack and spare warm clothing in your rucksack in case we are delayed or the weather deteriorates. Walkers are advised to carry their own first aid kit. Walks leaders no longer carry first aid kits provided by the group. The leader reserves the right to vary the route or cancel the walk to take account of weather or ground conditions. The leader also has the right to exclude from the walk anyone who is insufficiently fit or equipped for the planned walk. Please also note: ● When walking, we usually stop after an hour or so for a “coffee stop”. If the walk is more than, say, 5 or 6 miles you should bring lunch. If in doubt, contact the leader beforehand. ● Walk gradings are provided as a general guide only. If you have any doubt about your fitness for a particular walk please contact the organiser or leader in advance. ● Bear in mind the distance of the walk, regional differences in terrain and the possibility of bad weather, which can make a walk more difficult than planned. ● If you are unsure of your fitness level, try a short and easy walk first. It is much better to find a walk a little too slow and easy than to make yourself miserable and exhausted. ● Leaders may refuse to accept participants who, in their opinion, are inadequately equipped or unfit. ● Walks gradings relate to the difficulty or otherwise of the walk and not the length. A long walk, requiring a degree of stamina, can possibly be graded as Easy and you should take this into account. Walks Gradings Easy - walks for anyone who does not have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem or who is seriously unfit. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Leisurely - walks for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. The walk may include unsurfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended. Moderate - walks for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country, and might be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. Strenuous - walks for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. Likely to include hills and rough country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. The grades are indicated on the Walks Programme as follows: E Easy L Leisurely M Moderate S Strenuous ICE Cards All regular walkers who are members of Tavistock Ramblers have been given an ICE (In Case of Emergency) card. These cards have been purchased from group funds and are for the safety of members. They record identity, contact and medical information and should be clipped inside the top of the rucksack. Medical ID Your smart phone can also help in an emergency even if you are unresponsive. Both IOS (Apple) and Android have a standard feature in “Settings” called Medical ID where similar information but in more detail is available. This is accessible even if your phone is locked. It also means that an emergency call can be made without knowing the passcode. You are urged to make sure that you have activated this feature. You are more likely to be carrying a phone than a rucksack when not out walking, after all. Emergency SMS On the subject of phones, we have been advocating for several years now that all members register their mobile phones with the SMS Emergency Service. This means that you should be able to contact the emergency services even if there is no signal on your network. Dogs Dogs are permitted on walks, except where specifically excluded, but on the clear understanding that they are under complete control at all times and on a lead where there is livestock. In particular, dogs should be kept on a short lead during the bird nesting season on Dartmoor (1st March to 31st July) and throughout all refreshment and lunch stops during the walk. Diary Dates For further details, see the programme Thursday 30th April The first summer evening walk Saturday 9th May Leaders Day for new leaders Saturday 23rd May Dartmoor Way launch weekend Tuesday 23rd June Lundy day trip Saturday 4th July A walk (and boat ride) in Agatha Christie country Sunday 26th July Summer Barbecue Saturday 5th September 11 Tors Challenge Saturday 19th September A walk in Rick Stein country Saturday 26th September A walk in Doc Martin country First Monday of the month Coffee at the Bedford 10:30 First Friday of the month SAS (pub evening). Contact Paul for details Holiday 31st May to 7th June Snowdonia ABC Advert Summer 2020 Walks Programme Date The Walk Leader & Times Start Point, Description, Distance (Miles) & Grade Wednesday Start: Long Ash CP, opposite garden centre. SX497694 1st April 5 Jean Walk Double Waters, Coppicetown Farm, Buckland Monachorum. 09:30 M 01822 610257 Tracks and footpaths. Leader not at Pixon Lane. (10:00) Start: Bus stop in Princetown (opposite Fox Tor Cafe). Park in Saturday Princetown public car park (fee currently £2). SX589735 Olwen 4th April Catch 9.30 bus from Princetown to Postbridge. 13.5 01752 661899 08:45 Linear walk back over Hexworthy, Bellever, Higher White Tor. S 07795 264688 (09:30) Moorland tracks with up to 2000 feet of ascent, interesting stream crossings and passing the Crock of Gold. Leader not at Pixon lane. Sunday Start: Cadover Bridge South CP. SX554645 5th April 9 Bruce Walk Dewerstone, Bickleigh Bridge and Shaugh Prior. 09:30 M 01822 610257 Moorland, cycle track, lanes. One steep up. Generally firm underfoot. (10:00) Wednesday Start: Anderton layby. SX488722 Catch 09.50 bus to Horrabridge. Lynda & Helen 8th April Walk Horrabridge, Plaster Down, Shorts Down back to Anderton 5 01822 852468 09:30 layby. M 07710 969491 (09:50) Footpaths, moor and lanes. One long moderate up from Horrabridge. Saturday Start: Noss Mayo tennis court or nearby. SX547474 Graham 11th April Walk Bridgend, coastal path at Beacon Hill continuing to Stoke Down, 9 01822 615564 09:30 The Warren, Battery Cottage.