Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 2nd June 2009

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Llyn y Fan Fach from Llandeusant - Sun 7th Jun

On Sunday Emyr and Caroline will be leading us up Carmarthen Fan (don't be fooled by the name, it's nowhere near Carmarthen), from the western side. 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.

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Distance: 10 Miles

Meeting Points/Times: 0930 at County Hall or 1045 at the walk start point near Llandeusant.

As always, please contact the walk leader if you are going to be meeting at the walk start point.

A note on directions to the start point: If possible follow 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 Emyr on 07846879210 for details.

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Messing about on a boat...Tawe Trekkers Trip to Ilfracombe (Devon) on The Waverley

Tom is organising something a bit different that may appeal to a few of the sea dogs amongst us; see details from Tom below:

Sunday 14th June 2009. Swansea Ferry Terminal, SA1. Cost: £27 (£25 cons)

Contact: Tom Jack Mob: 07980 477 164

Departure: Assemble at 10.50am for an 11.15am sailing.
Return: 9pm. Travel time, 2 hours each way.
Boat: Waverley, Glasgow-Built, it’s the world’s only remaining ocean going paddle steamer.
Why go? Stunning views of Exmoor, Lundy and Gower coastline. Victorian seaside town with renowned Annual “Victorian Fayre” scheduled. Option of Beautiful 6 mile stroll along spectacular cliff tops of North Devon Coast on the “Tarka Trail”. Devonshire Cream tea and Local cider consumption prior to trip home , leaving Devon at 7pm.

As this charter rarely sails from Swansea, take advantage of this opportunity and reserve a place by sending a cheque made out to: Thomas Jack for £27 ASAP to: “Churchfields”, 6 Rectory Court, Llanmaes, Vale of Glamorgan, CF61 2WJ. You can also just turn up on the day, but given popularity, there may not be spaces on board ship.

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That's it for this week, look out for the new programme which will appear shortly on the website, and a reminder that it's also the regular pub night at the Brunswick this Thursday (11th June) from about 8 onwards.

Cheers,

Doug

TT Newsletter 25th May 2009

NEWSLETTER

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 25th May 2009

Hi everyone

This week's newsletter is another packed edition so here we go:
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Kilvey Hill - Evening Walk - Thursday 28th May

If you have never seen the views from the top of Kilvey Hill then this walk is a MUST for you. We’re meeting near the Ship Inn at 7.30 pm on Thursday 28th May. The Ship is at 98-99 Pentreguinea Rd, St Thomas SA1 8DJ; it's a little north of Fabian Way almost on the bank of the Tawe. Parking is available by the row of shops next to Swansea Dockers Club; alternatively there is plenty of parking in the nearby streets.

We’ll walk along the Tawe and then ascend Kilvey Hill from the North before returning to the Ship at about 9ish when, if you can’t make the walk, you’ll be welcome to join us. If the weather stays dry then proper walking sandals will be okay – but don’t blame me if you twist your ankle; if wet there will be a few muddy bits to negotiate.

Hope to see you – any questions contact me on 07981 963 681.

Robert

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Dinner Out at The Woodman - Friday 29th May

If you'd like to join the TTs for a meal and a few drinks at The Woodman starting at 7.30pm, please call Chistian to book your place. We have 15 seats reserved.

The Woodman pub in West Cross has a nice atmosphere, real ales and good food.

Call Christian on 07791 089942 to book your place or for more details.

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Kittle taster walk - Saturday 30th May

To round off the current programme we have a mini walk this Saturday in Kittle. As it's The Ramblers national walking day we thought we should to do our bit to promote walking. So if you have any friends who think walking is strictly for the red socks brigade (no offence to any of you who wears red socks!) then please try and encourage them on this pretty three mile walk on the edge of the Gower. We can then round the walk off with a refreshment and food, for those who want it, at The Beaufort Arms. Portable dogs are welcome.

Start point:- Outside The Beaufort Arms in Kittle Green.

Time: Meet 10.30am at County Hall, 11.00am at the start point.

Distance: 3 miles

Difficulty: Beginners

If you have any questions please contact Christian on 07791 089942.

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Shropshire Hills Weekend - Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August

This is another weekend away with the Black Country Group in the lovely Shropshire Hills region. Chris Price of BCWG has sent some details (below): There is a pub in the village which has an excellent range of beers, good food menu. http://www.horseshoeinnbridges.co.uk/index.htm

Accommodation: The hostel in Bridges village is £14 for self catering accomodation pppn. You can also camp £7 pppn on the hostel grounds and use their facilities (showers/kitchen etc). They have plenty of spaces at the moment but we will need to make booking www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/selected-accommodation.php?area=701&s=21s There is also more exclusive accommodation at the village pub: http://www.http//www.horseshoeinnbridges.co.uk/rooms.htm

Walks: Saturday: The Stiperstones and Devils Chair Sunday: The Long Mynd

More details to follow shortly, if you are interested in coming on this trip please let me, Doug know (07766652837), or speak to Chris Price of BCWG (07916274725). To secure your place (after deciding whether camping or hostelling), please post cheques, made payable to Chris Price to:

Chris Price

18 Yarnborough Hill

Stourbridge

West Midlands DY8 2EB

Would be good if we get a few TTs going along to this; these joint weekends with the BCWG have always been very successful and enjoyable, and from what I know of the Shropshire Hills region, it will be well worth going.

Doug

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Think that's it but I would just like to thank Trudi and Emyr for handling the newsletter duties whilst Doug and I have been away.

Cheers. Christian

Newsletter - Vale of Ewyas walk - Sat 23rd May

Hi everyone,


A few things to mention in this weeks newsletter!


1. Pam is arranging a boat trip around the Gower on the Sea Serpent on Saturday 27th June at 1.30pm. Cost approximately £23 per person. A great oportunity to explore Gower wildlife and views of the coastline from the water. If you're interested and want more details please call Pam on 07967 466690 asap.


2. Another propsoed boat trip comes from Tom. His plans are to take the "Waverley" (the last ocean going steam paddle steamer in the world) from Swansea to Ilfracombe on Sunday 14th June and then take a short walk along to the mullacott valley before heading home! The cost for this trip is £27 per person. Apparently the Waverley is only in Swansea for limited time so perhaps not an opportunity to be missed?!
If you're interested and want more details please call Tom.J on 07980 477164 asap


3. Summer 2009 Tawe Trekkers Programme - thanks to everyone who's offered to lead a walk on the next programme. Once again we've a variety of walks and locations coming up. Please can leaders let me have details of their walk (if they haven't already) by the end of this week to ensure the new programme is available asap! Thank you


4. And last but not least here's the details of Toms walk in the Vale of Ewyas in the Black mountains on Sat 23rd May. Please note the earlier start time due to the distance to travel, but it's definately worth the longer car journey!

Walk description: From the village take farm tracks and zig zagging back up onto offas dyke trail, an ancient country-long earthwork built by an Anglo saxon king. Then, follow this northwards to the prominent top of Hay bluff and views from black mountains escarpment, then descend to Gospel pass and re-ascend to Lord herefords Knob, the second of the day's summits. Progress along stunning cliff edge to Rhos Dirion, the highest point of the walk with a majestic trig point, and then descend southwards on way back over the western arm of the enclosing glacial valley and descend down the valley side back to Capel y Ffin.Option afterwards, time allowing to visit the augustinian prioy ruins at Llanthony and to sojourn at the pub IN the abbey, the undercroft has been converted into an amazing pub.
Grade: Strenuous. Ascent: 2500ft Terrain: Moorland, farm tracks, sheep pasture, peaty mountainside.
Start point and time: 9.00am from Swansea hall car park or 10.30am from the few gravel car parking places at Capel y Ffin, a village with two chapels 3 miles North of Llanthony Abbey in the vale of Ewyas.
Directions: This valley is off the A465, a few miles NE of Abergaveny in Monmouthshire (best reached along heads of the valleys road via vale of Neath from Swansea, or M4, A40 for all other routes).
Parking:If there are no places when you arrive at Capel y Ffin, take a small road to the left as you enter the village and travel 700 metres up a slight hill to parking areas at a Monastery or at the nearby Stables, and walk down to assembly point in the village near the red telephone box. Grid ref: S0 252 314. Os map Explored OL13 Distance: 12 miles.
Dog friendly? Yes..only a few stiles, mainly gates to negotiate.


The location is spectacular, do not forget your camera. This is one of my favourate valleys in Wales and the UK. The route is a classic and one of the finest mountain walks in Wales...and is well worth the slightly longer than usual drive. The fewer cars the better due to limited parking options on a bank holiday weekend. Beware of driving north up the valley, narrow and twisty with blind bends.
If you have any questions or plan to go straight to the start point please call
Tom J on: 07980 477164

Think thats it for this week! Any other queries please call me on 0780 726441

Trudi

Ystradfellte - Woodlands and Waterfalls walk

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter -11th May 09

Saturday 16th May - Ystradfellte Waterfalls Walk

Start point: 9.30 am at Swansea Civic Offices or 10.15 am at Ystradfellte car park in the village. Please contact walk leader if you plan to meet at Ystradfellte car park.

Length: approx 7 miles.

Ascent: Moderate and gradual.

Dog friendly: Only a few stiles, so dogs are welcome.

Walk description: This week Barbara takes us deep into the heart of the Neath valley. A magnificent walk through woodland and the waterfalls of the Afon Nedd Fechan river finishing with refreshments at a local hostelry - the Angel Inn.

Walk Leader: For more details call Barbara on 07810 715390


Programme Meeting - Thursday 14th May

As usual we'll be holding programme meeting at Vivs in Sketty, please come along at 19:30 for a 20:00 start, and bring along your ideas for walks and social events!

If you want to lead a walk or organise a social event for next programme, or for any programme related questions call Trudi on 0787 726441, or Emyr on 07846 879210.


Happy walking and see you soon

Emyr

Tawe Trekkers Newsletter - 5th May 09


North Gower - Sunday 10th May

Start point: 9.30 am at Swansea Civic Offices at 9.30 a.m or 10.30 am at Hillend Caravan car park, Llangennith (parking fee charged).

Length: approx 13 miles.

Ascent: Moderate and gradual.

Grade: Strenuous due to length.

Dog friendly: Only a few stiles, so dogs are welcome.

Walk description: This week folks Martin takes us on a long classical gower walk. Starting at Hillend we take in a circular route that encompasses Llanmadoc, Cwm Ivy woods and whitford point.

Walk Leader: Martin

For more details call Trudi on 07807 726441


Programme Meeting - Thursday 14th May

As usual we'll be holding programme meeting at Vivs in Sketty, please come along at 19:30 for a 20:00 start, and bring along your ideas for walks and social events!

If you want to lead a walk or organise a social event for next programme, or for any programme related questions call Trudi on 0787 726441, or Emyr on 07846 879210.


Happy walking and see you soon

Emyr