Updated: 11-05-09

Autumn weekend in the Lake District

A highlight of the year is a weekend in October, a group of 50+ travel by coach on Friday morning and stay until Sunday evening, ensuring two and a half action packed days,exploring the autumnal delights of the Lake District. As in previous years, the group has taken over a country house hotel, where members enjoy full board accommodation, in ensuite rooms, with marvellous views over lakes and fells. This year our own intrepid, experienced leaders arranged three levels of walk to suit the conditions and abilities of the group. We had NO RAIN at all on our walks - the weather was abolutely glorious!!. It didn't rasin until we were on our way back to Brum. Photos of this year's Lakes Weekend to follow. Watch this space! Walks are graded by height climbed rather than distance. The highest, most strenuous level aims for the tops, with climbs of 3,000 feet or more; the middle level is comparable with our Sunday "A" walks and has climbs in excess of 2,000 feet, and the short leisure walks remain in the valleys. Both leisure walks and the less high level walks (perhaps climbing to 1,000 feet through woodland or forest) concentrate on the beautiful valleys, rivers and lakes. There may also be the opportunity to visit other places of interest or even go shopping. On Saturday morning, wake to a large cooked breakfast, collect the items to make up a substantial packed lunch, pack your rucksack, on with boots and outdoor gear, onto the coach to be driven through magnificent scenery, to the start of your chosen walk. Come back tired but fulfilled to a hot shower, followed by an aperitif in the bar before a sizeable, home cooked, three course dinner. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing, chatting to friends, swapping anecdotes, selecting your menus and choosing tomorrow's walk. looking forward to another full day, before returning to Birmingham, after dinner on Sunday night. Oh, by the way - it has been known to rain, so waterproofs are vital! This holiday is so popular, that booking for the following year, begins during the coach journey up and is often fully booked by Christmas. Booking for 2009 now open. The City of B'ham Ramblers Group run 2 Y.H.A. Holidays per year , at Easter and August bank holiday week-ends. We have had some very good times, with good walking ,good food, and good company. The hostels are comfortable and friendly. We usually find our way to the local pub for the evening's convivial entertainment. Travel is by car sharing, and it is an inexpensive break. You may decide to book a local bed and breakfast if you prefer. Contact this site or any member of our committee.

Last year's very successful autumn Bank Holiday YHA weekend has been organised by Andy Bates for Melrose on the Scottish Border. Blaxhall in Suffolk was chosen for this year's Easter weekend, while Autumn 2009 Birmingham Ramblers will go to Whitby in North Yorkshire (28th of August till Tuesday 1st of September. The weekend has been organised by Andy bates Booking for the hostel has now closed.