Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 23rd Feb 2009

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Around Oxwich Point - Sun 1st March

This Sunday, 1st March, we finish the current Programme with a nice leisurely walk around Oxwich Head. Gary makes his debut as walk leader, but rest assured, he is highly experienced when it comes to navigating his way around areas of natural beauty so we should be in safe hands.
Although an easier walk this route offers plenty of nice Gower scenery, and also the opportunity to have an ice cream at the end (or perhaps even the beginning).

Distance: 4.5 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Start Points: County Hall at 0930, or Oxwich Bay car park at 1000 (there may be a charge).

Call: Gary on 07545068174. (Note: This is different from the number on the programme. Gary has had to change it as he's been having problems with a few fans/stalkers.)

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Uploading Photos - Guidance

A few of you now have the password for the flickr gallery that is linked to the website, and are uploading photos of the walks. This is great, but because there are now several people contributing we agreed at the last committee meeting that we'd issue some simple, common sense guidance on uploading photos. Currently the flickr site is limited to the 200 latest uploads, and the oldest photos are pushed out of view, so bear in mind the principle of 'quality not quantity' throughout!

* Please don't load too many photos of the same walk between you, 5 photos for each walk is reasonable.

* If there are a few people taking photos on a walk intending to upload to the gallery, agree between you on the walk who's going to put what photos on the website.

*Avoid loading multiple photos of a very similar view. Variety is the spice of life!

Saying this, we are very grateful when people do upload images of walks and events, it gives others, including potential new members, an up-to-date view of club activities and it's also a nice way for those who couldn't make it on a walk keep in touch. So keep snapping and uploading!

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Footpaths and Way-marking - Message from Graham (Footpath Sec)

As a group affiliated to the Ramblers Association, Tawe Trekkers has a duty to help in the important task of keeping our cherished network of Rights of Way open for this and future genrations to enjoy. There now two ways in which we can all help with this.

1. If you notice a problem with a footpath whilst out walking report it to me and I'll get in touch with the Local Authority to get it sorted. The problems might be broken stiles, collapsed bridges, fallen signs, paths fenced off or obstructive and intimidating landowners! Whatever the problem text or e-mail me brief details including date and an accurate description and Grid Reference. Photos may also help.

2. I have issued most walk leaders with way-markers which can be used to replace broken, faded or lost markers found whilst out on a recce or personal walk. If you haven't got some and would like some, or if you run out please let me know. It's technically the Councils who should be maintaining the way-marking but they are very under-resourced and may take years to get round to it. The main rule for this is only to replace markers that were previously there, however much you might feel that the route would benefit from additional marking! Also remember that some landowners are resentful of footpaths and may get emotional and illogical if you hammer in replacement markers under their noses! It's in everyone's best interests for the paths to be properly marked, especially the landowner's but please be discrete about it and sensitive to their feelings.

Contact Graham on 07770 435341 or e-mail g.rutt1@ntlworld.com.

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That's it for this week. The new programme should be out in the next few days but if you have any questions about what's coming up, call Trudi who has the draft schedule of events.

There's now only a couple of places left at the Bay View on Friday 27th, so if you want to come, please call/text me and it will be fastest first.

Cheers,

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter 'Plus'

An extra couple of items that I omitted from the last newsletter, namely the social event at the Bay View restaurant and an opportunity to try a climbing session at Dynamic Rock!

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Meal at the Bay View - Friday 27th - 1930h

To reward ourselves after the programme meeting we have a meal arranged at the Bay View on Oystermouth Road. This place does affordable Thai-influenced food and also doubles up as a pub so we can have a drink afterwards. Places are limited so to reserve you space give me, Doug a call on the usual number.

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Climbing at Dynamic Rock

If anyone is up for joining a taster session at Dynamic Rock Climbing Centre in Clydach, can they let Barbara know. Call or text 07810 715390. It is a 1 hour session and if we can get groups of 5 people it will only cost £10 pp. Take a look at the website http://www.dynamicrock.co.uk/taster.htm. Let her know which evenings are best for you so that she can book a session, or two!

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See you at the Programme Meeting tomorrow!

Cheers,

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 16th Feb 09

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The Escarpments of Carmarthen Fan - Sat 21st Feb

On Saturday we'll be heading up Carmarthen Fan (don't be fooled by the name, it's nowhere near Carmarthen), from the western side. In my opinion this affords a much better route with easier access to the isolated, dramatic views than the usual route from the eastern approach.
The first half of the walk includes some steep ascents up to the spectacular, elevated viewpoints of Fan Foel summit. The scenery on this walk is amongst the best in the whole of the Brecon Beacons. Let's hope for a nice clear day so that we can appreciate it!

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Distance: 7.5 Miles

Meeting Points/Times: 0930 at County Hall or 1030 at the start point near Llandeusant.

A note on directions to the start point: If possible follow me up in convoy from County Hall. If you are going to try and find it yourself (or lose the convoy), then get on the A4069 from Brynamman and then follow it about 15km north. At Pont Newydd take a right and follow the country lanes to Llandeusant (if you miss the Pont Newydd turning then you can take another right approx. 2km further up the road at Pont-ar-Llechau). When you get to Llandeusant continue west (look out for a small old wooden sign for Llyn y Fan). Eventually the road turns into an unsurfaced track, continue along this until you come to the foot of the range and parking spaces next to a river. Grid ref 798238. It will help you to look at the OS map (OL12) in finding the start point if you have one.

Call Doug on 07766652837 for details.

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Programme Meeting - This Thursday, 19th Feb!

Before the walk on Saturday we have some inportant business to take care of; the meeting for the Spring Programme! We've got some offers for walks already, but could do with more along with some social events too so that we have a full and lively programme for the Spring season. All welcome to attend, 8pm at the Vivs in Sketty, and this will replace the usual pub evening.

Call Trudi on 07807726441 for details.

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That's it for this week. Thanks to everyone who came on the Black Mountains weekend, and it was really good to see our friends from The Black Country Group and Tiger Bay Ramblers too. It seems that a good time was had by all, and photos should be available to see on our website gallery shortly. By the way; if you have photos from the weekend and want to upload them onto the gallery please let me know and I'll give you the password.

Cheers,

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 9th Feb 2009

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Black Mountains Weekend Away - 13/14/15th Feb

There's no day walk next weekend as we have our big weekend away in the Black Mountains! Places are now full so if you're not coming along I'm afraid you'll have to amuse yourselves with your own walks. For those that are coming I've attached the lastest information with the email newsletter. This little guide has changed only very slightly from the last time I issued it back in November, but the new updates are in blue so you can see what's been added. It would help you to print copies of this out and take it along to the weekend with you so you know what's going on.


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Programme Meeting - Thursday 19th Feb

The next Programme Meeting will take place on Thursday 19th Feb at the Vivs pub in Sketty from 8pm, and this will replace the regular pub meeting at the Brunswick. If you are able to lead walks or organise social events and want to get involved, please come along or have a chat with Trudi. If you've got any info you can submit before the meeting (to this email address) then that could also help. As always, we'd encourage people to get involved and add their events to the programme if they are able to!

If you want to discuss the programme please call Trudi on 07807726441.

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That's it for this week, see you soon!

Doug

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 3rd Feb 2009

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Vale of Glamorgan Walk - Porthkerry - Rhoose - Penmark - Sun 8th Feb

On Sunday Tom will lead a walk in his stamping ground of the Vale. We've never been to this area before and it promises to be a scenic delight. The walk starts from the carpark at Porthkerry park, and includes moorland, parkland and a nice stretch of coastline. If you're reading this on the email version of the newsletter you should find an attachment with full details.

Meeting: County Hall in Swansea at 0930, or the carpark of the Blue Anchor pub in Aberthaw at 1015.

Distance: 10 Miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Contact: Tom J on 07980477164

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Distillery Tour - Sat 7th Feb

Remember that on Saturday the group are visiting the wonderful Penderyn distillery near Brecon. Meeting at 1230 at County Hall, or 1345 at the distillery itself. You'll need to give your name to me, Doug, if you want to come along as places are limited. Standard cost is £7.50, but we get an (unspecified) discount for a group of more than 10.

Contact: Doug on 07766652837.

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Another reminder that it's our regular pub night at the Brunswick on Thursday (5th) from about 8pm onwards, and looking a bit further ahead, we have our next Programme Meeting at the Vivs pub in Sketty. This will take place on Thursday 19th Feb from 8pm onwards and we'll be looking for walk leaders and social event organisers so that we can fill the next programme with loads of lovely stuff!

Until next time, all the best,

Doug