Centenary Weekend 1st-3rd Nov.

Centenary Weekend 1st-3rd Nov.

Jack and Ken at Hartington Hostel

The re-enactment of Ken and my-self's first hostel weekend fifty years ago was initially somewhat marred by not being able to stay at Hartington Hostel for the first night, due to heating problems. We were however re-located to Ilam Hostel with a generous compensation package that everyone was happy with. We arrived at the hostel at various times and spent a very convivial evening meeting up with old friends, our tongues loosened somewhat by the wine kindly provided by Hartington Hostel.

Although we had a rather a misty start and then about an hours rain, it was a rare opportunity to be able to walk the full length of Dove Dale. The river level was quite high so it made crossing the stepping stones quite exciting, but eventually we all arrived safely at Ilam Hostel. After a hearty Italian Buffet we got down to our evenings entertainment of an old fashioned Big Singsong. We were accompanied by Sue on ukelele, Geoff on guitar and John Pudduck on accordion. The songs were interspersed with jokes, monologues and poems, and my thanks goes to all the contributors.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny, if a little cool, we soon warmed up however walking up hill past  Throwley Hall ruins. We negotiated several rather muddy fields before descending into the Manifold Valley for belated elevenses. The walk continued up the valley and over a rather slippery ford to Wetton Mill. Lunch and comfort breaks were taken here before splitting into two parties. One group went over the hills back to Hartington, whilst the other stuck to the valley until reaching Hulme End where we picked them up by car.
Altogether a most pleasant and entertaining weekend with some of the best food I have had in Youth Hostels. We will all be looking forward to doing a similar thing next year.

Your beloved leader

Jack