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Brighstone - Isle of Wight |
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Friday 10th – Sunday 12th September
After years of searching, Ibex has found a hut on the Isle of Wight. A scout hut by day and during the summer holidays is used by YHA. Space is initially limited to 10 beds (a 4 bedded room and a 6 bedded room), with extra accommodation in the floor area (though you will need to be prepared to bring a karrimat to sleep on the badminton court floor.) There is a well equipped kitchen (with 2 electric cookers, a microwave, kettle and toaster, and plenty of cutlery, plates etc.) and also plenty of seating and tables. There are 3 toilets and 2 showers. Most importantly there is a pub opposite called the Three Bishops. There is a village shop for limited supplies of stuff.
Transport will be best if you go by train (thus I will NOT be arranging car sharing – though if you wish to take your car over at great expense then please let me know and if you are able to take any passengers). The best option is to go to Lymington Pier (direct trains from London Waterloo with a change at Brockenhurst) and a ferry to Yarmouth. Then you need to get a bus (number 7 direct to Brighstone). It is possible to go via Portsmouth and the ferry to Ryde, but it will mean a change of buses in Newport. (For details on buses please go to www.islandbuses.info). Isle of Wight buses are not the cheapest, so either bring a bus pass or I am looking into Rover tickets to cover the weekend. Ferries and buses do operate until late in the evening. Luckily only one OL map covers the whole of the island and is OL29 (aptly called the Isle of Wight).
We will not have access to the hut until 9:00 to 9:30pm because of a Venture Scout meeting, so I suggest meeting in the Three Bishops pub for a drink and/or meal at Brighstone.
There are plenty of opportunities for walking, either towards the Needles, Alum Bay and Freshwater Bay direction or towards Ryde and Shanklin and I propose that we use the buses in at least one direction. Sunday may be a walk from Brighstone. It is difficult to know what time we will finish, but I anticipate about 2pm., but a lot will depend on the weather. |
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Friday 24th – Sunday 26th September
We are staying in the charming village of Coniston at the Midland Association of Mountaineers’ hut, Low House (GR 302974), a comfortable cottage/bunkhouse with good catering facilities. Jim and Viv can highly recommend it! This is an excellent base for walking the Coniston Fells directly from the hut or a short drive away are the Langdale Pikes and Fairfield Horseshoe. Weather permitting there will also be climbing (such as on Dow Crag) and / or scrambling.
We have 16 places booked, the remaining 8 beds have to be reserved for MAM members. Saturday evening we will be eating in. It is possible for a few Ibexers to make it a long weekend as there are 6 places available for the nights of 23rd and 26th. If interested, please let us know us know on your application form but obviously this will be subject to transport being available. |
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Brecon Beacons - AGM Weekend |
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Friday 15th – Sunday 17th October
This year’s AGM weekend is based in Brecon, at the foot of the Brecon Beacons. From the bunkhouse it is possible to do both high level and low level walks. High level walks include taking in the peaks of Pen y Fan, Cribyn and/or Fan y Big via the numerous ridges south of Brecon. Other options include Black Mountain to the west of Brecon and the Black Mountains to the East. Low level walks include the Taff Trail and other river paths around Brecon. The Brecon area is covered by OS Landranger map 160 and OS Explorer map OL12.
Accommodation for the weekend is the Canal Barn Bunkhouse in Brecon, nestling between the River Usk and the Brecon Canal and is a short walk from the town centre. It sleeps 24 and has excellent facilities. For further details see www.bunkhouse-brecon-beacons-wales.co.uk
The outline of events for the Saturday will be to go walking during the day, returning to the bunkhouse around 16:00 for tea and cake. Between 17:30 and 19:00 the AGM will be held before walking to the George Hotel where a free drink will be offered! This will be followed by a three-course meal (menu to be circulated nearer the time). |
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Weekend Away - Mitchell Troy, Monmouthshire |
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Friday 5th – Sunday 7th November
A particularly comfortable weekend awaits us courtesy of Ibex founder members Derek and Rosie Ringer at their Bed and Breakfast, Church Farmhouse in Mitchell Troy near Monmouth. A selection of full day walks on Saturday, afternoon tea, fireworks, dinner out at a local hostelry, cooked breakfasts both days and walking on Sunday too – a grand way to cheer up as the days shorten.
Cost per person: £45 to cover B&B for both nights. If you have to drop out we will endeavour to find a replacement. |
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Weekend Away - Stoney Middleton, Peak District |
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Friday 19th – Sunday 21st November
We are staying at the Derbyshire Pennine Club Hut (Carlswark Cottage) in the grounds of Stoney Middleton Hall, on the A623 about 15km WNW of Chesterfield. Grid reference SK 231755 on OS Landranger map 119 (NB you might want to take map 110 as well for walking possibilities to the north). Public transport addicts can get as far as Chesterfield by train and thereafter local buses (needs some research – if anyone finds a better way then let us know).
The usual walking (and climbing, for those optimistic about November weather) activities will be the main focus. Nearest mountain bike hire appears to be Bakewell, if that is also your thing. Or if you would like to go horse riding there are several centres in the area: Haddon House Riding Stables, Northfield Farm Trekking Centre, Two Dales Riding School and Ladybooth Equestrian Centre. See www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/peakdistrictvisitorguide2010.pdf for a good guide to the general area.
The hut sleeps 15 and facilities include a shower and a well equipped kitchen. There is a pub within 100 yards (www.themooninn.com). We will be eating in on the Saturday night, so if you are happy to help out with the catering please indicate this on your application form. |
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