We stayed near Shepton Mallet, and stayed in a ramshackle climbers and cavers bunk house. We climbed everyday mostly in nearby limestone quarries. We had a chance meeting with a local man who keeps the climbs in a good state. This and the access we had to the strange man-made landscapes gave me an awareness …
Following May Bank holiday tradition, it was a grey start to the day. By the time Brae, Carreg and I had reached the bus stop the mizzle had bejewelled my whiskers. Continuing with bank holiday tradition our bus was 30 minutes late, due to breakdowns and when it eventually arrived we were not allowed to …
Driving down on Monday, the weather closed in, getting dark, damp, rainy and cold. We were all tired for various reasons so when we arrived spirits were low. But, when we woke up on Tuesday morning the sun was out, the air was mild and the birds were singing. Dorset was transformed and all our …
SPA training at Plas y Brenin, 12-13 January 2015 I’ve just completed my SPA training at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia. Plas y Brenin is the national training centre for mountaineering, climbing and other outdoor activities. The SPA is the Single Pitch Award – the longstanding benchmark qualification for taking people climbing outdoors. The training …
SPA training at Plas y Brenin, 12-13 January 2015 Read More »
Child Protection Training 25th. February 2015 Are your children safe in our hands? Yes, of course they are; apart from anything else all children take part in company with their parent(s)/guardians. But, despite not needing them, all Craggers’ main volunteers hold DBS (formally CRB) checks. Until now these checks had been done under the aegis …
Craggers trip to the Cairngorms March 2015 Craggers has had an annual trip to Scotland in the winter for a number of years for mountaineering and winter climbing. This year was notable for the absence of Tony, our most experienced member, due to hip and knee operations (too many hills!) For this reason we decided …
Sunday 29 Dec 2013 – Hove Seafront. Tracy and Paul walked from the pier to the peace statue at Hove sea front to blow out the winter cobwebs. Wheel chair and pushchair friendly. Distance 1 mile. Time 40 minutes. Sunday 26 January 2014 – Rottingdean to Brighton Marina. 3 adults and 1 3year old dressed …
A winter walk on the South Downs near Falmer – approx. 4.5 miles. We met in Falmer village north by The Swan pub. It was overcast and spitting with rain but we carried on! First we crossed the busy A27 by the footbridge to visit Falmer south as I and never seen the pond there. …
When I look back I am surprised that I put my name down to do a winter climb in the Cairngorms. I had not climbed before, I don’t like the cold. I have very weak arms, and the only breaks I do have are with a child in tow. How exciting; a bit of freedom. …
Craggers booked us into a great activity centre high above the Tamar Valley. Everyday, we made an early start to cover training or get out early for the days activity on Dartmoor. The training was essential and we covered all aspects of Trad climbing, we also covered wearing the right clothing and the dangers of …
We had had three weekly training sessions at the huge new climbing walls of Withdean Sport Centre in October before we left on Saturday the 25th, traveling all day to Gunnislake, Cornwall, very near Devon where in fact we did most of the climbing. TRAINING DAYS Tony had already advice us to watch some getting …
Snowdonia is known to be one of the wettest parts of the country, but that didn’t stop me from being as excited as a child visiting Disneyland for the first time. I was exuberant just thinking about witnessing some of the most impressive crags and landscapes in the UK. I got there with a couple …
Craggers just paid for me to renew my Archery Leader qualification. I originally did the Archery Leader training in 2007 and the system has now changed with the general modernisation of the Grand National Archery Society (which has now rebranded itself as Archery GB) so that you can now renew online via a system something …
It was far too noisy to sleep; driving rain battered the gossamer thin nylon; the wind bent the tent poles and cracked the fabric like a whip. Somehow I did manage to sleep and by the time I woke the intensity of the storm had lessened to such an extent that I could make out …
It was a pleasure going back to Hailsham for the second wild food walk for the Hailsham Trust. Becci and I were doing the walks for free and the Trust was making a donation to Craggers. It had been five weeks since our last foray and we hadn’t done a recce before this one – …