We've got two weekends away on offer this spring. The first is in Swanage over the Easter weekend (Friday 21st to Monday 24th March). Walks will be organised, but you'll need to organise your own accommodation and food.
The second is just two weeks later, from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th April. Join Paul and Leanne for a long weekend of hiking in the stunning Wiltshire countryside, with its many ancient hill forts, monuments, earthworkings and pretty villages. and staying at one of the National Trust’s "Basecamp" bunkhouses.
Booking for both weekends is now open, and you can find full details on the socials page (members only).
The Ramblers' Association is embarking on an exciting new project to replace the current members' handbook with a series of five guidebooks featuring the best walks Britain has to offer, and they're inviting all Ramblers members to send in their favourite routes for publication.
Each book will focus on a different type of walk, starting with "Hills and Mountains" to be published in 2009. So if you've got a favourite walk you'd like to see in print, why not send it in? The deadline for submission is the 28th February 2008.
The Queens Arms at Cowden Pound, Kent, is a real gem. Known locally as "Elsie's" or "Annie's", it's been run by Elsie since the early 1970’s, who took over from her mother, Annie, who had run it since the 1920’s!
It' a fine old Victorian building and is listed on the CAMRA (CAMpaign for Real Ale) National Inventory of pub interiors. The bar has pretty much remained the same for over a century with an old ticking clock, very sparse furnishings and a small open fire place. They didn’t even have a till when I last visited and have only had a telephone installed in recent years!
The beer available is usually Adnams Best, but food is not available and there's a notice on the door stating “We do not sell lager”! Opening times are fairly eratic but they usually open for weekend lunchtimes and for a few hours (literally!) in the evenings. If you enjoy stepping back in time it is well worth a visit. Enjoy!
By Paul Russell
