Southport Fell Walking Club

 Photo: by Darren Thirty-three members of SFWC made the trip to Betwys-y-Coed and were rewarded with a fantastic day. The weather was dry, warm and sunny (again) with the wet and miserable walks of the recent past an almost distant memory. And because of the nature of the area, it was decided to try a new strategy in dropping off and picking up. Rather than all groups finishing their walks in Betwys-y-Coed, four of them did so at Bethesda. This required a logistical change and everyone to know exactly where to be and at what time. Thanks to great co-ordination by Stuart this drop off and return journey pick up at Bethesda went well. As Gerry drove up to the bus stop in Bethesda at 5.59, Stu breathed a sigh of relief as he counted all nineteen members of the four groups waiting there! So after a late start at Lyn Ogwen the weather was looking promising and Geoff’s group was looking forward to a great scramble up Tryfan North Face. It didn't disappoint. They all had a go climbing ...

 Photo: by Monika It was another great day on the fells for the members of Southport Fell Walking Club. Great walking, eight led walks on offer, sunny and dry. What more could you ask for! Certainly not another coach air-con drama!!! A few weeks back on the Grassington walk, the coach developed an issue with the air-con unit on the return journey. It was a hot day and the journey back proved uncomfortable. This week although all was well on the way up, Gerry the driver discovered during the afternoon that the air con had failed again!! And on one of the hottest days of the year!!! He took the coach for a run up the A66 and back to test it, to no avail. Still no air-con. So all credit to Don Fraser who decided that the only solution was to send out a replacement coach. The defective coach headed down to Tebay Services with roof hatches tilted open, relieving passengers somewhat of the stifling heat. The rendezvous with the replacement coach was made at Tebay Services whic...

 Photo: by Claire D Steph set off with Lorna and Martin for Firbank Fell in dull and windy conditions. Navigation was fairly straightforward and they were soon on the descent to the well sign posted Dales Way.  Lunch was taken at the Lune Viaduct, where they were able to shelter from a strengthening wind. At Lincoln's Inn Bridge they decided to ignore the 'impassable' post on the net and progressed past Luneside with no problems.  Near Brigflatts they rested next to the calm river in much warmer and less windy conditions. It was here that they saw a Kingfisher. Finally they followed the River Rawthey south of Sedbergh to New Bridge and walked along the road to the coach. Lorna commented on the large number of wild flowers throughout the walk. 12 miles in total. Paul’s group left the coach at junction 37 of the M6 and headed west, an area few of them had been in before, with the wind largely behind them on this section. There was a little bit of a problem finding the st...

There were 19 members of the Southport Fellwalking Club (plus Lola the dog) who went to Borrowdale this year. As they have done since 2012 they stayed in the beautiful Glaramara Hotel in Seatoller, which over the years has evolved from a Youth Guest House operated by the Co-Operative Holiday Association in 1935, to the independent Glaramara Hotel that is so well known today. The accommodation and food as always was second to none. The group was spoiled last year with almost unbroken sunshine over the four days, but weren't so lucky this year even after the recent heatwave. Nevertheless everyone managed to get out and about, completing a variety of walks (both high and low) and even a trip at last to the Keswick Pencil Museum!!! Thanks to Anne for making the necessary arrangements and also for hosting the annual quiz night, which this year was won by the team made up of John G, Pat T, Bob, Lorraine and Anthony. This years photos were taken by Mike K, John G, Pam B & Paul C. Than...

 Photo: by Clare V What a difference a few months make in the world of fellwalking! Back in March we wondered if we’d ever walk in the sunshine again. But since Glenridding we’ve seen four consecutive ‘dry’ walks. Unheard of!! And what a beautiful day this was. Glorious sunshine throughout but with a gentle breeze that kept the temperature down to one that was manageable. Twenty-four hours later and it would have been a different story! Keith’s group, after leaving the coach on the A59, headed straight for Embsay reservoir where the group took advantage of the ice cream van. With temperatures in the high 20’s it was a nice chance to cool down a bit. They then headed for the trig point at Cookrise Crag Top, the cross and the obelisk on Cracoe Fell before heading down to Burnsall where it looked like the whole of Yorkshire had congregated. They couldn’t even walk down the road as the cars were backed up both ways. With marshals directing the cars over Burnsall bridge the whole plac...

 Photo: by Clare V Thirty-six members of SFWC set off for Kirkby Stephen with another promise of fair weather. Surely they couldn’t have a third dry walk?? But yes, the run of 'good luck' weather wise seems to be holding out! Geoff’s group left Kirkby Stephen heading first for Ewbank Scar and Ladthwaite Beck which seemed to be a lightly used route requiring much limbo-ing and jumping over fallen trees. Next to Birkett Hill they found a bullock who was happy to see them and started their ascent towards   Nine Riggs navigating various bogs with mainly sunshine. After lunch just before Nine Riggs they got to the top just in time to spot Stuart on his own route before the clouds rolled in dropping the temperature a little. Heading back they followed the coast to coast mainly before diverting to extend the walk first to the North of Kirkby Stephen and then across the 2 viaducts. Great day with about 14 miles or so walked. With his mate John absent, Stuart chose to 'w...