Past Holidays
Church Stretton Autumn 2024
The weather forecast was eyed with some trepidation before we 24 set off to Longmynd house, Church Stretton. Extra waterproofs were packed to help protect us over the three days walking in the rolling Shropshire countryside. In the end, we were fortunate to escape the worst - we were able to complete our very scenic walks and retire to our rooms / bar and other HF facilities before the worst of the weather flashed, rumbled and cascaded outside.
Six walks were arranged in advance but some late changes were made due to the topography - steeper than we are used to in Leicestershire. The challenge of leading a walk when no opportunity to recce was evident as the shorter walking group endured “one of the worst mile of walking” ever - a combination of mud and what farm animals leave behind… Nevertheless, we encountered some truly wonderful views, excellent walking and good company.
The HF hotel was sizeable, accommodating over 80 and providing substantial quantities of nourishing food by very hardworking staff. Whilst in generally good condition its lift was unavailable, providing for unanticipated additional climbing up several flights of stairs (all good exercise, if not entirely welcome?)
Its skittle alley provided a worthwhile diversion one evening with a clear winner but with some controversy over the precise rules regarding ricochets (formal protests are ongoing).
Some found time to explore All, Little and Church Stretton facilities including nice tea rooms, pubs and other essential facilities. Our education was extended not least by learning that Stretton derives from Old English “straet” and settlement “Tun”. However, the full derivation of a mynd (whether long or short) still escapes us!
Isle of Wight 2024
31 people enjoyed a trip to Shanklin. As we were down in numbers this year the holiday was opened up to other walking clubs and we had four from Lutterworth Club and a brother and sister of Club members joined us to make up the numbers.
We packed lots of adventures into our 4 days on the island. As the Isle of Wight had recently been battered by storms there were lots of road closures due to landslides (and closed footpaths) so the first day's walk which started at Freshwater Bay gave us a grand tour of the island before we eventually got to the start of the walk where the long walkers took the high road to Yarmouth and the short walkers took the low road which meant they had time in Yarmouth to enjoy a cream tea before the coach took us back to the hotel. The next day we all walked from the hotel to Godshill where there was time for another cream tea or an ice cream (every holiday has to include an ice cream at some time!). Long walkers walked back to Shanklin via the donkey sanctuary while the short walkers let the bus take the strain and made good use of their bus passes back to the hotel. We then had a free day where some took the opportunity to visit Osborne House, see what Ventnor had to offer or just had a leisurely day around Shanklin. The last day we hired a minibus to take the long walkers to the start of the walk as the landslides meant the coach could not get to the start and then enjoyed a walk to Carisbrooke Castle while the short walkers did a circular walk starting and ending at the castle itself.
The hotel was very good and there was a vast improvement on the food from the previous year, There must have been a properly trained chef/cook in the kitchen! Also those wanting to buy food for a packed lunch the shop was just across the road. Some joined in the evening entertainment where one of our party, who had never played bingo before and thought she was buying a ticket to win a teddy bear, won well over £100! Others honed their skill playing canasta. Some even managed to include an evening trip to the theatre.
The weather was kind to us and only rained overnight. No Leicestershire clay in sight so that pleased Craig, our coach driver, who was very keen to keep his coach clean! Everyone enjoyed the trip and the mini cruise across the Solent. Next year's holiday is in the process of being arranged so look out for the details which will be published soon and keep the Spring of 2025 clear so that you will be able to join us for an excellent trip away!'
Whitby 2023
Kibworth Rambling Group’s autumn holiday took place in early October. It was centred on the town of Whitby where three consecutive days of walking took place. Both short walks, of approximately six miles, and longer walks of nearer nine miles took place each day. The group stayed in the HF centre, Larpool Hall and walked both on the North Yorkshire Moors and along the coastal paths. As you might imagine these walks proved to be both challenging and strenuous. The weather was generally good and, of course, the countryside beautiful. All twenty-five participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience.