Lots of fun over the Winter

Please see the program of events which is now filled in to January 2010.  I’ve tried to find something for everyone with a variety of walks, but have still to put in a few mid-week outings for those who prefer this.  Please make suggestions and requests to help me offer what you want.

Something new:  I have  a series of “Hill Walks” for those who want more strenuous outings.  The aim is to “do a Munro a month” or some equivalent hill walk.   The first is on Wednesday 14th October. Now would be a good time to put your name down for one of these, or for the next “regular” walk near Lauder on Sunday 18th.

And another new something: My thanks to all those who walked round Co’path on Sunday and who made helpful suggestions then.  Following up one theme – would you be interested in a weekend away sometime this winter?  I’ve often thought about staying at the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe and this could be my chance.  They have a Beer Festival (see link) in February 2010 which includes lectures and live music as well as beer tasting.  Also lots of choices for walks to suit all tastes during the days.  Please  let me know if this would appeal to you.  If enough interest, we should then book up soon to avoid disappointment.

Some more walks….

Back in circulation so I’ve added some walks to the 2009 calendar.  Please have a look and see how many you can join in.

First an apology – having been away (for what seems like most of the summer!) I now have things to catch up on, so i cannot manage the next scheduled Sunday walk on the 23rd August.  Sorry.  Would anyone be prepared to arrange something for that day?  Please let me know.

To make up, I’ve put in three different midweek suggestions for 18/19/20 August – one hard one easy and one between.  It would be good if anyone if free to join any of these walks.

The Pyrenees

For anyone interested in what I’ve been up to in July:

I went to Gavarnie in France where I met Alistair Mackie, who had been walking the Pyrenees alone for 15 days to get there.

I walked with him for two and a half weeks along the “Haute Route” of the Pyrenees to Andorra. Read all about it here.

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I left him to walk a further 10 days alone to take him to the Mediterranean

Have a busy July

Where is this?

I’ve updated some details on what we’ve been up to recently – the Carfraemill walk, the curtailed Pencraig Hill outing, and the munro.  This will be the last update of the website before I return from the Pyrenees in early August, when I hope to fill in a program for the remainder of the summer and into the autumn.

As you know, Andre has very kindly agreed to arrange some walks while I am away, so I look forward to hearing about them and hope you attend as many as you can.  Don’t forget, any of you can arrange a walk – just suggest an idea and see who might join you.

Best wishes for July.

Congratulations to our three Moonies

Midnight on 21st June and three brave DRAM members joined the 10,000 others to “walk the walk” in Edinburgh.  Kerry Ross, Maureen Valentine and Pam Meldrum between them collected several blisters, stiff muscles and a lot of money for Breast Cancer Research.  I’m sure we are all proud of their efforts for a good cause and congratulate them all for completing such a challenge.

Two outings … then more

I’ve added a page about the munro we climbed on Monday 8th June.

Also updated the Arran page with a report on the weekend.

Now we need to plan the next outing for Sunday 28th June.  If you have requests, let me know soon … otherwise I’ll come up with something and add it to the calendar.  I’d also like to make use of the summer before I go away to the Pyrenees in July, so suggest we think about some extra walks before then – weekend and/or midweek, evenings and/or afternoon.  Let me know what you would like and I’ll try to arrange something.

Back in action

Pam and I have been away walking the TGO Challenge across Scotland (see photos here), but am back home again and hoping to have several outing with “DRAM” before I go away again.  Next expedition is the Pyrennees in July.

So firstly can I remind you all about the walk this coming weekend to Tillycoultry.  Put your names down if this appeals.

Two weeks after that we have the Arran Weekend.  Not to late to join this.

Also I’d want to have a variety of other walks while I’m here – perhaps a midweek local afternoon walk, or an evening outing.  Also I’ve not been on a munro for a while if anyone is interested.  Rather than me making the suggestions – if you are interested in any of these, please let me know.  Just suggest a date you are free and the kind of outing you fancy, and we’ll see what we can manage.

Summer is here?

I’ve a bit to catch up on, so please read on….

You can read a report, and see pictures, of two outings last weekend – one to An Caisteal and the other to the Pentlands.  Both were blessed by great weather and those who couldn’t manage along really missed out on a great walk!

With various holidays taking me away from the club for much of the summer, I am pleased to thank Andre for stepping into the breach and arranging outings in my absence.  See the new additions to the programme here.  There are still some gaps to be filled, and lots of opportunities to add additional walks throughout the summer – weekends, midweeks or evenings.  Please don’t wait for me to suggest outings – if you fancy a walk any time just make it known on the website and see who might join you.

For the budding munroists among you, I won’t be able to arrange any hillwalks until after the TGO challenge towards the end of May.  But if interested, please use the website to say so and we will see what can be arranged.

Arran.  We have a good number of members going to Arran for the weekend.  There is still space in the bunkhouse for more, so let me know if interested in joining us.

And finally – it is now time to add your names for our next outing to the South Esk Horseshoe on the 3rd of May.

St Cuthbert’s Way

I missed last weekend’s DRAM walk because six of us were walking the St Cuthbert’s Way from Melrose to the Holy Isle, over five days.  It was a pleasant walk blessed by good weather and you can see some photos here.

More for you to consider

a) Meeting.  I’ve suggested we meet on 31st March at 7.30 pm in the West Barns Inn (see below) to discuss plans for the summer.  I’ll try to arrange a short talk by someone as well.  Please let me know if you will attend.

b) Walks.  Our walk to Dollar on 8th March was cancelled due to snow, and I’m afraid I am not around for the next two scheduled walks.  (I’m doing “practice” walks in preparation for the TGO Challenge in May).
Sun 22nd March – Dunglass to Dunbar (ie first stage of John Muir Way – 10 miles of coastal walk).  Please put your names forward for this walk.   We also need someone to volunteer to co-ordinate this outing.
Sun 5th April.  The walk this time is The Cheviot.  An 8.5 mile hillwalk to the highest point in the Cheviots – should be a good day – I’m sorry I’m missing it.  Again, please put your names forward to join in – and again we need a co-ordinator to volunteer.
Sun 17th May – I’ve rearranged the Dollar walk to this date – lets hope the snow threat declines by then!

c) Munro.  With winter (perhaps) behind us, we can start thinking about a serious hill-climb for those interested.  I have only one possible date – Saturday18th April – the day before the DRAM Sunday walk in the Pentlands.  If Saturday suits anyone please let me know.  We can watch the forecast and pick a hill nearer the time.

d) Arran.  Numbers are going up very pleasingly, but its still not to late to join us.  We have twelve places booked, out of a possible 23 beds in the bunkhouse.  Don’t be put off by thinking it will be too much for you – some want to visit Goat Fell and the Arran hills, but others want something must less demanding – so if you can, please try to fill the hostel and have a great weekend.