Tea in the garden
A return trip to Castleton for the Summer Wander of 2015. We’ve stayed here before, but at the old hostel in the town; this time we were at the new hostel, Losehill Hall.
On the whole the old place was probably better, having a bit more character to it it, but the new place had pretty extensive gardens for the kids to wander around in.
Wandering
The first away wander for Wayne’s Wanderers in 2015 saw us heading to Conwy in North Wales for a weekend of sun, wind and rain, fortunately, not all at the same time.
On the Saturday, Tryfan was suggested for the walk but instead we opted to take a low level route around Conwy and environs due to extremely high winds.
Look, snow!
The Winter Wander this year got off to a good start with coffee and scones at the Cauldwell’s Mill cafe in Rowsley and then headed up out of the village around the back of Lees Moor Wood onto the tops.
The going was pretty muddy at first but turned to thick snow the higher we got making for some great wintery photographs.
Heading up Wetherlam
So off we went to the Lakes again for the annual Autumn Wander and a thoroughly good time was had by all. Elterwater is now an independent hostel and I think probably a bit better than your bog standard YHA as a result, with some great food on offer.
Wandering in Wolfscote Dale
A weekend at Hartington Hall YHA in the Peak District at the end of June 2014 – the Saturday walk consisted of a trek down Wolfscote Dale to Milldale (stopping for ice creams, drinks and pasties) and then back via Alstonfield.
We had a very good turn out for this one with lots of micro-Wanderers along for part of the walk.
St. Briavels Castle YHA
A weekend spent at St. Briavel’s castle with a medieval banquet, a World War 2 re-enactment taking place in the hostel and a walk to Tintern Abbey along part of Offa’s Dyke all thrown in for good measure.
Outside Dufton YHA
Dufton in the North Pennines, September 2013 – the all important pub just over the road and a walk to High Cup Nick on the Saturday. The weather wasn’t particularly good for this one but we did at least stay dry.
What the hell are these things?
A once only trip to Eyam for Wayne’s Wanderers in the summer of 2013.
I didn’t attend this one so don’t know much about it, although I expect a walk on Eyam Moor was probably involved.
I’m reliably informed the weird animals in the pics below are alpacas.
Outside Welsh Bicknor YHA
Welsh Bicknor, March 2013 in the snow (and mud) with a walk along the Wye Valley to Goodrich Castle. The castle had excellent high walkways with great views of the surrounding countryside.
Buttermere YHA
Buttermere, September 2012 – amazing weather, a walk along High Stile and High Crags on the Saturday and an evening afterwards at the Fish Hotel.
For once, the photographs have lots of blue and lots of green 🙂
Wayne’s Wanderers, somewhere in Derbyshire
Ravenstor in the Peak District, June 2012 – good weather again with a walk along the Monsal Trail and back via Cressbrook Dale, Litton and Tideswell Dale. It was carnival day in Litton so we stopped by the village hall for tea and cake – two rounds if I remember correctly 🙂
Which way?
Grinton in the Yorkshire Dales, March 2012 – Grinton Lodge is a former shooting lodge built in the 19th century, which is all very well but I wish they’d built it a bit closer to the pub. Still, Friday evening was a clear night and the walk back to the hostel afforded an exellent view of the starry night sky.
Wayne's Wanderers 