Pathfinders Club (Solihull)

Midweek Walks are now a part of the Pathfinders schedule. They have been running since May 2008 and are now set to run well into 2009. A good deal of interest as been shown and the next two walks, one on Wednesday January 21th 2009 the other on Wednesday February 18th 2009 have already been set. Go to the dates on the calendar for more information  if you are interested in joining these walks.       The format for the walks will be the same as club Sunday walks. Full details, and who to contact, will be in future mail shots.

The Shropshire Way is the next long distance trail that the club will undertake. The trail is a circular route, we are to start from Ludlow Castle. As before the trail will be broken down into 9 to 12 mile walks.

As with other long distance trails, because of travel arrangements,numbers will be restricted. Full information for anyone interested can be obtained from the walk organiser.

The above was a unique setting for a ‘Knight’ to remember, when 72 Kings, Queens, Lords, Ladies, Serfs and many Landowners met Ivanhoe, Puff-the-magic Dragon and Chastity the scantily clad Wench with the key to mens imagination and hearts.  After enjoying a four course Banquet of Pate’ and toast, Cottage Loaf and Cheese, Half Chicken with Salad and Jacket Potato followed by a Traditional Dessert - Bakewell Tart, Apple Pie etc. and Cream  -

Money Raised for Charity - £552. 44p.

Thank you again to all who attended but especially Family and Friends of Club Members who made this fun event so very worthwhile, successful and enjoyable!    

So you were too late to grab a ticket for the event of the year,too bad,you had plenty of warning. Here are a few of the lucky ticket holders at play.  As you can see a group of Morris Dancers appeared as we moved back in time and still further back, the rest of these colourful characters emerged.  Kings, Knights, Lords, Ladies,Gentry,Scottish Rebels,Serfs,even a Belly Dancer, all were present (by the way Robin you will not find your bow- it came back to the twenty-first century)  

It is quite usual to admire well appointed properties and gardens as we walk.  So it was that we found ourselves, on a club walk last summer ,doing just that. The owner of the house, seeing us at his wrought iron gates, came out to speak to us. It turned out that he was a multi millionaire who enjoyed, at certain times of the year and for charity, opening his gardens to the public. We were asked whether we would like to view his latest acquisitions,we of course replied yes. So it was ,after the security guard had turned off all the alarms, we found ourselves in the Garden-Of-Heros.

The garden was alive with full sized bronze figures from fiction and real life.The Few, stood at one end, second World war pilots racing towards their Spitfires. At the other, figures from Homer’s Iliad. On the sky line Lawrence-of-Arabia urged his camel on, and many many more wonderful sights stood around.

A walk truely to be remembered, Thank you Felix, From the Pathfinders.( Go to,’A Glass Half Full’ if you wish to know more.)       

So all of the 154 miles of the Herefordshire Trail have been conquered.  Many Club Members answered The Chairman’s call.  Many fell by the wayside, but a gallant few struggled to the end.

One day our epic battle will be told and put onto the Silver Screen, it will surely  rank with other screen greats - such as:-Pig Sty Story! - The Sound of Moosic! ( featuring our very own musical singing star - Doreen)  

 Also, let’s not forget that  magnificent masterpiece of entertainment

BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER WYE!          

                       46 Brave souls set out from the Bunch Of Carrots public house on Sunday’s Cramble. Despite the pouring rain they were determine to have a good day. The rain continued  relentlessly, all day, washing away some of the earlier resolve. Gradually the group shrank as wet through, walkers headed toward the coach’s pick up points.In the picture we can see the small group that made it to the Wye Valley View Point at the end of the walk.

But despite the  weather every one, when dry,warm and full of food, at Cadmore Lodge, said that it had been a good day. The organisers would like to thank everyone who came and lifted this grey and damp event to a wonderful close, Thank You! 

We like to visit the Pub for the odd drink,ask Judith, but some people spend all their time there and ask, ‘why do you bother to walk’? 

To these poor souls we give you, Spring Around Kenilworth.    

Should you still not see the answer to your question, then you are already lost, but if you are not a member of our walking club, join us and we will try to redeem you!

If we succeed it will be drinks all round - Your Treat!

Some times it can be hard even to find one finger post. Here we find SEVEN!

Perhaps this can be more confusing, or may be you know of a better example?

Or perhaps this D.I.Y. stile is more your taste! 

The last few sections of the Herefordshire Trail are in sight.  After consulting with Sherpa the mountain pig our gallant group climb to Base Camp at Arthur’s Stone.

From here they must make their final push.

In our last picture we can see the intrepid few making a determined assault on the trig point of Merbach Hill.