The Hikers group followed the Sandstone way starting from the bustling town of Frodsham. We were soon climbing above the town wending our way up a dry path making the ascent easier. We paused at the war memorial at the top where the views over the Mersey Estuary were spectacular. Much of this section of the Sandstone way meanders around outcrops of sandstone through birch and oak woodland. We followed the waymarks along the edge of the hill pausing to look for the lettering carved into the rocks many thought to have been written by Edwardian women. The path dropped into Jacobs Ladder, a steep staircase carved into the rock. Today there is a much safer route down Baker’s dozen named after Jack Baker who was instrumental in devising the trail. The trail followed the edge of the woodland on Alvanley Cliff. Several quarries are nearby, including one which produced particularly fine sandstone used to rebuild Chester Castle and Eaton Hall. After a short walk along the road, we stopped for lunch at Stonebridge Farm. The food was delicious and very good value with picnic benches set out in the field for our use. We now entered the Delamere Forest, a remnant of the ancient hunting forest of Mara and Mondrum used for hunting by the Earls of Chester and later the King. We reached the visitors centre where a number of hikers stopped for further refreshments whilst the others made their way to  Delamere train station. We finished our day feeling very fortunate in enjoying such a varied walk in glorious sunshine.

Hilary (photos by Ida and Stuart)

Twenty one Polys travelled to Chester from London to join the 20 who had preceded them on Thursday. After settling into the accommodation at Chester University and visiting the nearby Aldi for provisions, we met up for the tour of the city. We were able to admire the ancient walls built by the Romans and later fortified by the Saxons to defend the city. We passed numerous black and white timbered buildings dating back to medieval times and other more recent ones built during the Victorian Revival period. The Rows which are covered walkways above the shops, unique to Chester, were fascinating. We commented on the quirky mixture of buildings from different eras. We ascended onto a small section of the walls where 3 members tested the legend running up and down the Wishing Steps holding their breath while expressing a wish.

After strolling along the Groves by the River Dee we passed the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre which was the largest in Britain. We finished our walk at the Information Centre from where we could see the Victorian Gothic Town Hall and the Cathedral with its heavily restored Victorian exterior. We then dispersed in groups to find somewhere for dinner before returning to our rooms.

Susan (photos by Stuart)

Friday.  A small and bijou group this year with only 6 participants. We flew to Innsbruck with BA and took a bus to the station. After some dithering about lunch in Innsbruck or Scharnitz, we decided to take the train and make our way to Scharnitz. This train journey is very scenic. We checked in our B&B, Gastehaus Frankenhof, and then had lunch in Gasthof Risserhof, where we received a warm welcome from the owner. She told us snow was expected during the night. We did a short walk around Scharnitz and went back to the B&B for a rest. 7.00 was time for a pre-dinner drink in Dominique and Sunita’s flat. Dinner was in Gasthof Risserhof, the only hotel in the village but a substantial establishment. There was a formal dinner in the next room for about 100 firemen, in their full  uniforms. No wives seemed to be allowed but apart from some loosening of ties, it was a very  orderly event. Continue reading 17th-20th January. Snow walking in Scharnitz Austria →

Friday 23^rd August. 37 Polyramblers descended on Lancaster University for a long weekend of walking and sightseeing. The university complex is extensive so the first test on arrival was finding reception and accommodation, luckily Hilary’s sister Janet was on hand to assist as buses arrived. Janet and Hilary led an orientation walk around the older part of the city centre including Lancaster Castle and the Judges Lodgings and a number of historical pubs before we descended down to St Georges Quay’s  walking along the Lancaster end of the river Lune to the Wagon and Horses where we had an excellent meal. It was at this point that Danny pointed out that one of our group had not yet appeared, we later found out that his train had broken down outside Euston! Continue reading Bank Holiday Weekend – Lancaster →