Tawe Trekkers Newsletter -27th Jan 2009

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Ilston - Penmaen Circular - Sun 1st Feb

Becky and Phil lead an easier (but not too easy!) walk on Gower this weekend. From The Gower Inn we'll follow the river up the wooded Ilston valley and then cross to the Llethrid valley via the back lane to Lunnon. Through the woodland tracks we reach the edge of Cefn Bryn Common from where we can join the coastal path over Penmaen Burrows and back to Parkmill. Dogs OK on leads, there are a few stiles and some sections of the route will be v muddy.

Distance: 7 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Meeting: County Hall 09:30 or 10:00 at The Gower Inn car park, Parkmill (GR SS 553 892)

Contact: Becky (07818 097615) or Phil (01792 555901) for more details.


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!Bookable Event!

Whisky Galore! - Visit to Penderyn Distillery - Sat 7th Feb

The Tawe Trekkers will be paying an educational visit to a distillery in the Brecon Beacons village of Penderyn on Saturday 7th Feb. As well as being Wales' only distillery, Penderyn is also one of the World's smallest, (they obviously don't know about the one in Rob and Marie's shed). The whisky produced at Penderyn is something quite special. An eminent writer on the subject said:

"Absolutely staggering arrival on the palate of malt, landing with almost snowflake delicateness. Immediately a second movement, this time of bitter-sweet fruit, blood orange included, sweeps down over the startled taste buds. Astonishing stuff."

– Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Well I know that not all of you will get quite so passionate about the amber nectar, but even if you're not a big drinker of the stuff, you may still find the production process interesting and learn a few things, and who knows, you may even develop a suprising taste for it?!

You'll need to book as places on the tour are limited, call/text/email/facebook/message or speak to me, Doug on 07766652837 to get your name on the list!

Here's the details:

Meet: County Hall for 13:00 departure or the Penderyn Distillery (in Penderyn, obviously) at 13:45. The tour is booked for 14:00.

Cost: £7.50 each, or less with a discount if we get more than 10 (which we should do). This includes a tasting of Penderyn whisky.

Link: www.welsh-whisky.co.uk


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A Note About Rambler's Association Membership

Could I please remind people that if they come on more than a couple of walks with us they need to join the Rambler's Association. You can do this online or get an application form from Dougy. Being an RA member helps to support the organisation's cause of promoting rights of way and walking in the UK, provides funding for the Tawe Trekkers, and you also get freebies and incentives out of it too!

If you are a walk leader you need to have RA membership to protect you against liabilities; if you lead a walk without being an RA member then you as an individual and we as a club are breaking the law!

The RA in London are about to provide me with a full list of who's a member, so I may be chasing some people up, in a nice way, of course.

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That's it for now, see you soon.

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 20th Jan

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Grwyne Fawr - Sun 25th Jan

Emyr's back with another Black Mountains Trek. He must like it up there, and you can see why. This walk includes forest, moorland and a reservoir along the Grwyne Fawr Valley. The start point is the Forestry Commission Carpark at Pont Cadwgan.

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 7.5 Miles

Meeting: 0930 at County Hall Carpark or 1030 at Pont Cadwgan (North of Abergavenny, for full details of directions give Emyr a call).

Give Emyr a ring on 07846879210 for more details.

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Swansea Treasure Hunt - Thursday 22nd Jan

This Thursday the regular pub night will be replaced by Rob's Swansea Treasure Hunt. Although the hunt will finish in a pub, I can't say which one as it may give away one of the clues!

To join the treasure hunt, turn up to meet Rob and the other competitors on the steps of Swansea Museum at 1930. Here you will then be divided into teams, issued clues and sent to find the treasure.

Important: you will need to bring torches and compasses.

Call Rob on 07990807510 for details.

If the weather turns out to be unbearably awful, then we'll meet at the Brunswick as usual.

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Rhidian and Louise's Birthday - Salt Bar - Sat 24th Jan

Remember that Rhidian and Louise are having their nautical themed birthday party on Saturday night. Meet in Salt bar in Mumbles from 1930.

The theme is nautical fancy dress, so if you're feeling in the mood then please dress up in your themed costumes! Some ideas: Pirates, mermaids, fish, fishermen, captains, sailors. You won't get refused entry for not dressing up(!!), though it would be nice to see some imaginative costumes on the night!!

For more details call the Rhidmeister on 07534960567

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That's it for this week. See you soon.

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 13th Jan 2009

Hi all,

Next week Christian is putting on a walk near Llantrisant (see info from Chris below). If any Tiger Bay Ramblers are reading this you may be interested in coming along as it's down your neck-of-the-woods?!

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Llantrisant Forest Walk - 17th January 2009

Start point: Llantrisant Forest car park

Distance: 7 miles (with Tom's extension!)

Difficulty: Easy / moderate (some gradients but only for small sections of the walk)

Description: This walk starts in Llantrisant Forest and extends out onto a ridgeway with fine views before passing through the sleepy village of Llanharan and then heading back into Llantrisant Forest. The walk is slightly longer than advertised due to the addition of Tom's extension which is sure to be the high point of the walk and takes us through a disused mine - ok perhaps high point is stretching it but I think it's worthy excursion - well done Tom!

Dogs: a few stiles so probably best for the smaller breeds.

Meeting point: 9.30 at City and County Hall or 10.15 at Llantrisant Forest car park.

Contact Christian if you require more details: 07791089942

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Hope to see you there!

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 6th Jan 2009

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Cwm Pwll y Wrach - Sun 11th Jan - Change to Original Walk

Please note this is a change to the walk originally advertised. Andrew is no longer able to do the route in Abergorlech because of work commitments, but Emyr, like a knight in shining armour, has stepped in to lead an alternative in the Black Mountains. The walk goes through Cwm Pwll y Wrach, or the 'Valley of the Witches' Pool' from Talgarth (Powys).

Distance: 5 Miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Meeting: 0930 at County Hall, or the memorial clock in the middle of Talgarth (Emyr says there's also a carpark nearby) at 1045. Grid ref: 155338. Talgarth is on the A479 northwest of Abergavenny.

Contact: For directions or details give Emyr a call on 07846879210.

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Pub Night @ The Brunswick - 8th Jan

It's our first regular pub night of 2009 on Thursday (8th) in the Brunswick in Sandfields, Swansea from about 8pm. All welcome, come along for a pint and say hello!

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See you soon!

Doug