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EDITORIAL
This summer two rather interesting meets are coming up. In August there
will be a meet in Lichfield where the campsite is being booked for exclusive
use of the Fell Club. Then in September, Andrew has arranged a long
awaited meet in the North, near Carlisle. A must attend meet for all our
members up North, please do your best to attend. Andrew might even buy
you a beer.…
Copy deadline for next magazine 15st August.
Publication date 1st September.
Front cover photo: Summer camping at its best.
HONOURARY SITE WARDENS
Camping by courtesy of these members. Private sites for Fell Club
members only
MEMBERS USE THESE SITES AT THEIR OWN RISK.
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online publication.
PLEASE TELEPHONE BEFORE ARRIVING.
Trek n Tent is available via email in PDF format, to subscribe to this service please
email the editor: mike_handley(at)hotmail.co.uk This can help save the environment,
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Copyright ‘Trek n Tent’, Magazine of The Fell Club
Letters and articles will automatically be considered for publication unless labelled
‘not for publication’. It will be assumed that such material does not infringe any
copyright. Opinions in ‘Trek n Tent’ are those of the contributors and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of The Fell Club.
PRESIDENTS PAGE
The Olympic Games: you can’t help getting hooked, despite everthing.
Competing in the smog must be quite something, but not so long ago, most
towns and cities were the same almost everywhere in the world. Some still
are. Remember Manchester, Liverpool, or London, to name a few, where is
was fashionable on a weekend trip to wear a white silk scarf, ex RAF, as a
true symbol that you had arrived on the cycling scene. It had a more simple
role than adornment. On arriving at the outskirts of a town or city that you
could not avoid, you simply wound the scarf around your nose and throat to
collect what is now called ‘the particulate matter’. Four thicknesses of finely
woven silk made a perfect, reusable mask. When not required like this, it
kept you warm and kept the rain from dribbling down your neck. By its aid
you could see just how much muck you were breathing in!
It was this muck that more or less forced you to take to the clean air of the
byways, the hills, or the open water by bike, boots, boat, or train. This muck
then set the great camping movement in motion and gave brief respite to
many during weekends or holidays. But it was the processes that gave rise
to the muck that gave us wealth and our position in the world and led
arguably to our present comfortable lifestyle.
What of our Chinese cousins who have to endure this pollution day in, day
out as they manufacture all the things we take for granted and no longer
make ourselves? It has made them he most prosperous nation on earth.
Who benefits this prosperity is a political issue which we must leave to the
Chinese themselves. Perhaps we shall see TV images of Chinese cyclists
wearing white scarves themselves, or when we meet them on the world’s
stage.
C.B.
Robert Saunders, 1st April 1930 – 15th April 2012
T.H. Holding may well be the father of lightweight
camping but Bob Saunders who went into business
in 1964, was the pioneer of the use of lightweight
modern fabrics in groundbreaking designs several
decades ago. His ideas have inspired tent designers
and imitators worldwide.
Bob Saunders created the classic Jet Packer and
Space Packer tents. He was the first UK tentmaker
to use synthetic fabrics as well as introducing many
other innovations that have become standard features on modern tents.
Most of his tents were still made in the UK, his death is another loss to the
outdoor industry here.
ALBERT WINSTANLEY 1916 – 2012
An end of an era came in March
this year with the death of Albert
Winstanley, aged 95 years. This
enthusiastic cyclist who had
massed a total of around 750,000
cycling miles, died quietly in his
sleep at Astley Grange Nursing
Home, Bolton, near to his former
home in Bradshaw. A few days
earlier Maurice Halsall had been
reading T'nT to him.
Albert's first bicycle was acquired
in 1930. In 1932 he joined the
YHA which enabled his touring
further afield. He also enjoyed
cycle-camping as well as playing
Hostel
pianos,
writing,
photography and local history,
becoming a prolific contributor to
Albert at the Fell Club gathering,
the
cycling
press,
local
York Rally, June 2007.
newspapers and radio. Cycling
World published around 180
pieces in all. Among his club affiliations he was a member of Bolton
Clarion, CTC, Autumn Tints, Fell Club, YHA, and Fellowship of Cycling Old
Timers. He helped to form the Velo Club Anglais for exiled cyclists in
Algiers in 1944. The three books he wrote were 'The Golden Wheels',
'Golden Days Awheel' and 'Owd Tom'. His personal manuscripts have been
donated to the National Cycle Museum and are held in the Archive at
Warwick University.
Well known as a raconteur and master of monologue for Cyclists' Dinners,
his spoken and written tales included quaint items of local history and
fanciful musings of time-traveller status. His led rides always had a surprise
twist to entrance his companions.
His main bicycles were a Claud Butler and a Dawes Galaxy, both with
granny gears of 18", while his final stable consisted of a modified Brompton
with 10-speeds and an electrically assisted bicycle, which enabled cycling
those shorter distances by elderly legs. The Brompton came into its own
when Albert would book a coach holiday but, when other guests climbed
aboard for a day trip from the hotel, he would wheel out his cycle and enjoy
rides of exploration on his own! It was on one of these in North Wales
where, dealing with a puncture in pouring rain, he sought the protection of a
bus shelter and repaired the rear puncture of the Brompton without
removing the wheel, a difficult feat under any conditions.
In his 90th year he was honoured by inclusion in the 'Spirit of Sport'
sculpture, an 85-foot erection in the centre of a new roundabout in the De
Havilland Way, Bolton, as one of 1000 being commemorated. See:
http://www.thespiritofsport.org.uk/
Goodbye to a unique personality, whose thoughts will live on through the
written word.
M.J.
Kingsbury Water Park Meet.
My first Fell Club meet of the season found me Friday 23rd March trundling
along a bus to Birmingham (Nottingham return ₤10.40) and then a short
search for the 116 Connection to within 1.5 miles of the campsite.
After being deposited at the correct bus stop it was just a leisurely amble
into camp, being passed on my way by Mark J, noticing rider and bike in
their usual immaculate condition. As for me I would be called total
antithesis, a bag of spuds tied up in the middle would be a fine description.
I found this site excellent and well chosen by Roy and I must thank him for
the supply of 4 nights of frost and 4 days of red-hot sun and not forgetting
the icing on the cake….the real ale pub, Dog and Doublet, packed to the
rafters.
Seeing as I was the only backpacker, I decided that Saturday to do the
grand tour of Birmingham. What a mixed bag of citizenry they are (like most
cities!!) though I’ve not seen so many ‘black pillar boxes’ in one place. Still
there was other interesting sights / sites to see, even if I was back on site
by dinner-time for a couple of pints, then bird-watching around the lakes.
Saturday night
again found us
Saturday morning fog.
Fell members
in yon hostelry
for the usual
humour
and
bunter.
Mike
asked
if
it
would be OK to
wear shorts in
the pub. Hey!
With Kirsten on
his arm who’s
going to look at
his legs!
Sunday, early
start for the long trek to Tamworth, but first a short detour to the showers to
thaw out. Highlights of the day, seeing a grass snake swimming across the
canal and good crack (Irish interpretation) with an old fellow who lives in a
concrete pipe, I kid you not!
Later back at camp, I found Kirsten, Mike, Dru and Simon had abandoned
ship for work on Monday. Never mind, one day you will be an O.A.P /
Senior Citizen also known as O.F, I love it.
Pub again. Last of
the Fell members
Saturday again, but with
were soon into their
sun.
pints and discussing
the meaning of life,
the universe and
everything with Fred
playing
deep
thought, now was it
54 or 42?
Thanks Roy, great
meet,
Malc
for
sorting out my bus
times and last but
not least, Mike G for
the big hug.
B.G.
A tour of North Holland and a bit of Germany.
Well we have just
finished sorting out our
camping gear and the
bikes after our trip to
North
Holland
and
Germany. We travelled
by ferry from Newcastle
to IJmuiden overnight, it
was a calm crossing
and we had a good
cabin. There were quite
a lot of cyclists onboard
but twice as many
motor bikes. The next
morning we set off on
cycle paths to follow the North Sea cycle route and we cycled amongst the
dunes and a nature reserve which was a surprise but enjoyable. We
decided to head inland and north away from the coast to try and escape
the wind. There are cycle routes all over North Holland and that should
make it easier to follow a route. However, they are numbered but the
numbers don’t always follow in sequence because at the numbers there is
usually another route that joins it or crosses the one you are on. So we
quickly learned to check our route on the map and then write the numbers
down. Anyway we headed North towards the huge dam or dyke that
crosses the IJsselmeer. We camped just before crossing because it was
getting a bit windy. Crossing the dam we had the wind behind us so we
were very lucky and no rain. I was very impressed with the dam it was an
impressive piece of engineering and a cycle path all of 29 miles long. . We
continued around the coast towards Delfzijl to get the ferry to Emden but it
has ceased to operate! During the route to hear we encounter severe
storms and constant
rain and wind. This
delayed us for a few
days .We headed for
the German border
but decided not to
head through North
Germany
because
we would not have
made it in time so we
headed south along
the Dutch German
border and back in to
Holland. In Holland
we stayed at some
really
good
campsites and the cost was between 8 and 12 E they are farmers
campsites ‘Kamperen Bij De Boer’. They were very good and we met some
very pleasant people. We headed to Groningen because it is supposed to
be an excellent cycle friendly town. Well it was certainly full of bikes but
don’t go there on a Saturday afternoon because you can’t move for bikes
and if you hesitate the locals don’t like it. It is a friendly town and we
enjoyed it but only after we knew where we were going! Then we head
south to Drenth province. This was a very pleasant cycling area and had a
couple of nature reserves and forests and of course the usual canals all
very pleasant. Unfortunately we had another storm that kept us staying for
a few nights until it passed. Well we started to head back and had a 1.5
hour ferry across the IJsselmeer which was interesting because it wasn’t
raining or blowing a gale.
A few more camp sites and then along the coast to the dunes and a very
expensive campsite 24E but it was good and overnight campers had a
small area to theirselves and it had stopped raining for a while. It was
actually a very well laid out site and although it was big it wasn’t so obvious
because of the layout. It also had a bar that sold decent beer. Next morning
into IJmuiden to catch the ferry. We enjoyed North Holland and everyone
we met was friendly and helpful and we will definitely go back to Drenth for
a short tour.
A few things about North Holland:
1. It is flat, very flat
2. It is windy, very, very windy
3. Not everyone speaks English (but then why should they)
4. It is very bike friendly and the people are really pleasant and friendly and
very helpful.
So all in all we thought that we made the right decision to turn back and
see more of Holland and have an easy tour.
F.D.
1930’s Style of Camping.
In this day and age you let the train take the strain. My grandfather
would pack everything that was not needed at into a strengthened tea chest
and screw on its lid. The porter would call around with a horse and cart,
and off would go the tea chest.
In this case it was to be Llandudno. When your holiday began off
you went on the train, at Llandudno, you produce your receipt, obtained
your chest of kit and a porter put it into a handcart, then he led the way to
your campsite.
Grandad would go off and fix up to camp, he would come back with
a bale of straw. Up would go the tent ( 7 foot long, 6 foot wide and 1 foot
walls ) down would go the groundsheet. The straw went in a bolster and a
pillowcase, you then had a mattress and pillow.
The campsite was at a farm at the base of Great Orme, which has
turned out to be the largest copper mine in the world during the Bronze
Age..
My Grandfather enjoyed a good swim, so that most mornings were
spent on the beach. I used to paddle, but the only thing I recall was being
swept up the beach by a very large wave. The other thing I recall is rolling
down the field onto the beach, to find that a tooth had come out. I was
sitting looking at it when a young couple came along, had a chat and gave
me sixpence for it.
We all had a good time, and my Father came to take us back home.
The chest went off by train, and we went off by car, a 1930’s overhead
valve Morris Minor, the same engine as the early MG’s. In those days there
was nowhere open on Sundays in Wales, so when one of the inner tubes
blew up with a bang, the tyre came off and was stuffed with grass. So that
we could get over the border, to get another tube.
The next trip was to Exmouth on a farm to the East along the coast
road. This followed the same pattern. Though now I could swim, so enjoyed
much more.
We had a bad storm one day, and watched a boat with a broken
mast being towed in. Most of the beach huts in Dawlish Warren were
washed out to sea or smashed. We took shelter in Woolies and found the
John Bull sixpence each and a bottle of meths for sixpence.
After this trip came the last war, which put paid to this life for a while
R.O.
LONG ITCHINGTON, WARWICKSHIRE.
Having been cycle campers for many years Chris and I only joined the Fell
Club about six years ago, primarily out of respect and support for its strictly
held principles. During those six years we were not able to attend any meets at
all mainly due to Chris’ inability to take time off her work usually meaning there
was insufficient time to travel to and from weekend meets. Nevertheless, we
were able to follow the adventures of the Fell Club members through the pages
of Trek “n” Tent.
All that changed at the end of September this year when Chris retired and we
were able to celebrate her new freedom by attending our first Fell Club meet.
We were doubly fortunate that this coincided with a spell of flawless clear blue
skies and warm temperatures which were to continue throughout the weekend.
We are lucky in having a railway station near our Oxfordshire village home and
so we were able to travel to Banbury on a local train from where we had
booked our bikes onto the Cross Country train to Leamington Spa.
As Sustrans Rangers we enjoy using the various routes although it must be
admitted that they do range from excellent to sometimes questionable “works in
progress”. So on emerging from Leamington station it was pleasing to find that
the local Sustrans Rangers had been busy ensuring that Route 41 was clearly
signed and we had no difficulty in finding our way to the Grand Union canal
towpath on some very pleasant paths through an attractive park. A couple of
miles along the canal and we turned on to a stretch of disused railway known
as the Offchurch Greenway and then on to a road crossing the Fosse Way.
After a fairly short distance route 41 turned on to a deserted single track road
leading directly to Long Itchington. Just outside the village the route continued
on towards Rugby and out of interest we followed it for a short distance as it
continued along a disused railway embankment.
Leaving the route we sailed down a short slope into Long Itchington to be
greeted by the unmistakeable figure of M.K. and his shouted welcome of “Fell
Club?”. “Yes” we shouted back to which he replied “they are all there” as
indeed we found out as we turned into the field behind the Green Man pub. We
were welcomed initially by D.C. who was sitting outside the first tent we came
to and then by M.H., K.H, J.B. and others. The warmth of the welcome made
us feel immediately at home, a feeling which persisted throughout the whole
meet. It’s a great pleasure to be
M.K. cleaning the camp.
amongst
fellow
lightweight
campers with so many shared
interests and experiences and the
inevitable
questions
about
equipment and so on. We live in
a time where “spin” rules and it is
common for organisations to
market themselves as the friendly
“this” or “that” (which fools no
one) so it’s always reassuring to
encounter the genuine sincerity
which clearly exists among the
Fell Club membership.
By the Saturday there were some 20 lightweight tents on the site. As usual,
some members went off to explore the locality while others just sat around on
the wooden benches just chatting and simply enjoying the glorious weather.
Later, a few problems occurred when a group of youngsters apparently refused
to leave the pub at closing time although most of the campers were unaware of
this as they were asleep by then. It seemed the landlord had gone off on a
short break leaving the pub in the charge of some inexperienced young people
who were unable to control the customers. This also resulted in a delayed
opening of the toilets in the morning despite an assurance by the landlord that
everything had been organised before he went away on his break. Some of the
campers were painfully aware of this deficiency and were forced to give
consideration to alternative arrangements. Now, where’s that trowel?
Later on the Sunday some of the members broke camp in a leisurely fashion to
return home after a dry pack while others, including ourselves remained until
leaving on the Monday morning, again having the benefit of a dry pack. A
relaxed journey to Leamington Spa in the company of Fred and Anita Davis
and we were soon back home in Oxfordshire to reflect on a most successful
and enjoyable weekend. Our thanks to all those Fell Club members who made
our first meet with them such a pleasant experience.
C.C.G.
The Camping Card ACSI
On several occasions I have heard Simon telling people about the Camping
Card ACSI scheme. I have decided to offer the information up to everyone,
as it will prevent me from having to spell ACSI for him yet again!
The Camping Card is first and foremost a discount card. By showing your
Camping Card you can enjoy an inexpensive holiday in the early and late
season- this is usually every month of the year except July and August with
Up to 50% discount at 2,109 camp sites inspected by ACSI in 19 countries
across Europe. The campsites are just as nice as in the high season; the
owners guarantee the same level of hospitality and service. Most of the
facilities are available in the low season as well, you just pay less. A lot of
campsites will even give you extra discount the longer you stay. The
Camping Card ACSI is valid for one calendar year and is non-transferable.
The campsite may ask you for identification to prevent incorrect use of the
card. When you show a valid ACSI Camping Card at an ACSI Camping
Card site, two people can spend the night for only € 11, € 13 or € 15. All
campsites in this scheme charge one of these prices. The price is also
clearly displayed on the ACSI Camping Card sticker in the reception area
on the campsite itself.
For a one off payment of (Current price) €13.95 excl. postage you receive
the handy map of Europe in the Camping Card ACSI
guide and detailed route maps for each campsite. The
guide also includes an accurate route description to
each campsite. The accompanying text provides a
good impression of the atmosphere and the location.
Subscribe to Camping Card ACSI and benefit from a
discount. Instead of € 13.95, you pay just € 9.95 per
year (excl. postage).
Participating camp sites offer the following:
• A camping pitch.
• Overnight stay for 2 adults.
• Car & caravan & awning, or car & folding caravan, or car & tent, or motor
home & awning.
• Electricity. Your Camping Card includes a 6A connection with a maximum
of 4KWh per day included in the price. If you require higher amperage or
use more than 4 kWh, the camp site has the right to surcharge you the
rates which normally apply on the site (not that we carry a fridge on the bike
but nice to know all the same).
•Hot showers. In camp sites where showers are operated by tokens,
Camping Card holders are entitled to one token per adult per day.
• Maximum 1 dog staying on camp sites which accept dogs. For a second
(or
additional)
dog
you
might
have
to
pay
extra.
•VAT
Some camp sites make a distinction between standard, luxury or comfort
pitches. Luxury or comfort pitches are in general larger and equipped with
their own water supply and drainage. In many cases you will be allocated a
standard pitch but it may happen that you are offered a more expensive
pitch at the Camping Card rate. The camp site has the right to decide this;
you cannot insist on a luxury or comfort pitch.
For further information, or to order your Camping Card ACSI guide go to.
www.acsi.eu
D.J.
Tiny Campsites Book Review
tiny campsites by Dixe Wills, second edition, published March 2012 by
Punk Publishing Limited. Price variable, but I bought my copy from Amazon
£8.25.
Having read the first edition of tiny campsites and being suitably impressed
I discovered from the Authors website that he was due to release a second
edition of his highly successful campsite book. For those that do not know,
the tiny campsites book has a selection of UK sites, all visited, tried and
tested by the Author Dixe Wills. Each
site is less than 1 acre in size and the
book is separated into geographical
sections, with the usual blurb about
facilities at the campsite, tariffs,
amenities on site and nearby, how to
reach the site by public transport or
OS map co-ordinates, and is a handy
size to pack in your rucksack.
However, having read and been
suitably impressed enough by the first
edition to want to buy my own copy; I
was less than impressed to find that
the second edition was not much more
than a re-print of the first, with 10 new
sites added, 10 from the previous
edition omitted to make way for the
replacements and the rest of the book
was exactly the same, including the
introduction. The information on some of the sites identified in the first book
has been updated where applicable, and there are new photographs, but
overall my advice would be, that although the tiny campsite book is a
brilliant addition to any book collection, you only need the one edition,
either the first or second will suffice. The books boast of information on
around 75 sites, the majority of which, as I have already stated are in both
books. Therefore, if you have already purchased tiny campsites edition 1, I
would suggest that unless you absolutely must have edition 2 for the 10
new sites included, save your money until you see it at a bargain price.
D.J.
Worn Sliders in Zips.
Metal slider can open up over time or just get worn out with hard use and
exposure to dirt and sand. Once a slider becomes parted or worn enough,
the zipper will misalign more and more and eventually part somewhere
behind the slider.
To mend a worn slider, first make sure the zipper behind the tailing end of
the slider is closed and properly aligned by gently sliding it back and forth
until everything is lined up. Then use a pair of needle nose pliers to very
gently press back end where the zipper should be lock together one corner
at a time. Test your slider and repeat until it is working properly.
It is important not to force the zipper slider closed to the point that it no
longer slides. Should this happen, you might be able to pry it loose with a
flat tip screwdriver or you may need to remove and replace the slider all
together.
You can also try a block of wood and a rock to carefully and gently tap your
slider back in place. This field technique is not recommended unless you
don't have access to any tools and just can't wait.
M.H.
Pot Cosies.
For the last few years now I have been using a home made pot
cosy. This is made from a lightweight insulation material like bubble wrap
sandwiched between two layers of foil. According to the manufactures
details it is equivalent to 35mm of insulation. I have found that by bring
pasta to the boil, and then putting the pot in the cosy, it will continue
cooking, while I cook the sauce. So fuel can be saved as well as time. Last
Summer, I made Simon a container to carry his butter in to protect it from
the heat and prevent the butter separating. This also worked well. Make
one for your mug to keep your tea warm.
By using your pot as a template you cut the base and side piece
and stick together with Duct Tape. A top lid piece is cut using the lid as a
template. If you have good Blue Peter skills it will only take ten minutes.
The material is called Therm a wrap and is available from most DIY
superstores, though you have to buy quite a large quantity.
Backpackinglight, sell smaller pieces for £6, available from their website.
M.H.
TENSIONING KNOT
Based on the Tarbuck
climbing knot, this variation
will do for guy lines, wash
lines, etc: hold the standing
part taught and take the
end around the peg; cross
the end of the bight over
the standing part and turn
3 turns down before
crossing over to the top for
one more turn. Tuck the
last turn under the crossover diagonal to end as for
a clove hitch. Pull down on the standing part below the knot, tighten the
knot and then it can be slid up or down to tighten the line. It will then hold
its position.
LETTERS
Following the article regarding ticks in the former Trek ‘n Tent, I thought you
might like a reference about the problem from a book called The Poor
Bloody Infantry, I am reading now. Perry Castle was on the run in Nazi
occupied Europe for over two years. During this time he was captured by
the Germans, interned by the French and imprisoned by the Spaniards. He
finally reached the safety of the British Embassy in Madrid. There he was
baked in wax all over to remove the many ticks in his emaciated body. On
his return to the UK in 1942 he found himself to be arrested yet again, this
time by the British Field Security. Three months later he was back with the
reformed 51st Highland Division in North Africa. Perhaps we should all carry
a segment of wax and a lighter around in our first aid kits?
S.L.
I do not know about you out there but I have been a member of the CTC for
quite some time (years!). Over the past year or two I have got rather fed up
with the CTC’s magazine content that has veered from touring and general
riding to mountain biking and now ‘sportifs’ i.e. just short of racing. The only
thing that kept me in the CTC was the third party insurance. I put a query
about the CTC forum on the internet asking what this insurance was
exactly. Amongst the answers on the forum was several people suggesting
I look at my household insurance!! To my amazement I found I was
covered away from the home for injuries to third party persons etc. (My
insurance company is Direct-line). Also as far as the CTC is concerned it is
now seeking to be a charity, which I do not agree with. I have not renewed
my membership of the CTC.
B.R.
Thanks for the last Trek ‘n Tent, full of inspiration as usual. How I
would have loved to be at Mark’s meet at Rutland Water and/or at the
AGM. Unfortunately I work on a Saturday but, and here is the good news, I
am planning to retire completely in December (my birthday is just after
Christmas). So next year I hope to get to a few meets.
Most years I managed to get to Mildenhall though I may not make it
this year. Last year Mildenhall was my only cycling holiday as we moved!
(after 40+ years it was difficult). Despite illness my lovely husband
dismantled, moved and rebuilt my bike shed.
The thing I missed last year was France. I did not know L.N.
personally but I am sure she was looking forward to a lovely tour there
when she was so sadly killed. Of course many people will say that such
‘accidents’ show how dangerous cycling is and therefore stay in their cars.
We know that it is cars (or their drivers) that kill and that more own
steam travel would lead to healthier people and a healthier planet. I am not
sure how we can change the world but at least we can do our bit. Through
us other may discover how good lightweight camping is and what a friendly
bunch we are. They might discover, in F.D. words, that it was ‘much better
than expected and it was the members who made it so’.
Love to all,
R.H..
A little snippet for T ‘n’ T. The train booking service : redspottedhanky.com
I can recommend despite it’s quaint name. They claim an average of 51%
average saving on fares.
I have recently booked a journey which would normally cost £72 - £125 at a
cost of £46. However they also offer £30 off for every £10 Tesco Clubcard
voucher. So I paid only £16 actual cash plus the £10 voucher. The service
was excellent, free First Class postage.
D.C.
Puttingham Camping Barn.
Fell Club member Sarah Smith is one of the volunteers that run the
Puttingham Camping Barn in West Surrey. It’s not camping, but according
to Sarah it is the next best thing when a roof over one’s head is wanted.
The barn offers simple overnight accommodation for walkers, cyclists and
horse riders. The Puttingham Camping Barn is ideally situated on the North
Downs Way and Sustrans cycle route 22, between Guildford and Farnham
(SU 933 479). The full address is The Street, Puttenham, Guildford, Surrey,
GU3
1AR.
More
information
can
be
found
on
www.puttinghamcampingbarn.co.uk
Product review: Sugru
Fed up of burned
hands
when
using
the
uninsulated
handles of the
MSR Titan Kettle
and the like, then
Sugru
is
the
answer. It is a
flexible silicone
based
putty,
similar
to
plasticene, which cures in 24hrs at room
temperature and is heat resistant to 180 C. I
bought the 12 mini pack for £11.50 and used 1 easily mouldable pack for
each of the 2 handles.
See www.sugru.com for purchase and it's many other uses.
So it is goodbye to banana skins and socks.
M.A.
Uniqlo Premium Down Ultra Light Jacket
Are you on the lookout for a lightweight
jacket, ideal for the chilly evenings, but don’t
want to pay a fortune? Uniqlo are not an
outdoor brand, but a fashion label and
happen to have a lightweight down jacket in
their range, for men and women. Mine is a
medium and weighs in at 220g including
stuffsac. The jacket consists of a windproof
nylon shell. The down filling makes it is as
warm as a heavy 200 fleece. They have a
jacket with a hood or you can have one
without, and they come in 13 colours. The price is £59.90 which is roughly
half the price of a comparable jacket from one of the ‘respected’ outdoor
brands. Unless you live in London you will have to order online at
www.uniqlo.com.
M.H.
MEETS
Kerks Midsummer Meet.
22nd – 24th June. Contact ……………. for
booking . Please confirm by phone if you are
coming. Please telephone if you are coming.
This is the last monthly Meet at Kerks. The site
will be closed except for prearranged
occasional Meets. In view of the large traveling
distances involved and the great success of the
Maypole early Spring Bank Holiday weekend
Meet, any future Meets at Kerks will be replaced by prearranged special
occasion Meets. Keep a look out in the fixture list.
York Cycle Rally.
23rd – 24th June.
Over 10,000 cyclists from across the UK and beyond, will gather on the
Knavesmire at York Racecourse. Cycle Show visitors can join the thrill and
challenge of bidding for a bargain bike in the Auction sale - or visit the
saddlebag sale - our version of a car boot sale - for those elusive bike bits.
Watlington meet for Benson Vintage
Rally.
29th June – 1st July
Camping at White Mark Farm, Watlington,
OX49 5AF Tel: 01491 612295 Benson
Veteran Cycle Rally on Sunday 1st July
starting from Benson Village Hall. Contact:
M.H.
10th - 11th August. Lichfield Meet. Fullbrook
Farm, Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
WS13 8EP. Grid ref OS Landranger (pink one)
128: 118129. I have booked the site for
exclusive use of Fell Club members on the
Friday and Saturday nights. So there will be no
noisy neighbours or car doors slamming in the
night. There’s no need to book with the site,
but I would appreciate if you could contact me so I’ll have an idea of the
numbers. There is a wash room (Shower, toilet, two basins with hot water).
It is less than two miles from the centre of Lichfield. Good links for rail and
Sustrans route 54 passes within a mile of the campsite. The nearest pub is
just over a mile at Fradley Junction, the meeting point of the Trent and
Mersey and Coventry canals. There is a craft centre with tea room five
minutes down the road. On Sunday there is a car boot sale at the
neighbouring farm. £5 pppn Contact M.H.
Mildenhall Cycling Rally.
25th – 27th August.
At Riverside Middle School, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall , Suffolk IP28 JX
www.mildenhallrally.org.uk The nearest station is Kennet, with others
at Ely, Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Brandon & Thetford. The
rally site will be signposted in the town, The site opens at 4pm on the
Friday and closes at 7pm on Monday.
14th - 16th September Carlisle Meet.
Dalston Hall, Dalston, Carlisle. CA5 7JX
Tel:01228 710165
Easy to get to from Carlisle Bus no 75 City
Hopper from outside Carlisle station English
Street ,the Courts, will drop you off at the
front gate of the Hall last bus at about 6pm
(tel travel centre 01228267267)
or train from Carlisle to Dalston .
It is also on the NCN10 and 7 a very good cycle path from Carlisle to
Dalston. Although it is called a holiday park the owner is more than happy
to accommodate backpackers and cyclists, facilities are good and just a
mile into Dalston with Pub and shops . Contact A.D
October 12th - 14th Long Itchington Meet.
The Green Man, Church Road, Long
Itchington, Warwickshire. CV47 9PW.
Landranger 151 (SP 410 651) 6 miles East of
Leamington Spa. Camping in a small field
behind the pub. The village boasts six pubs
and a small Co-op lateshop supermarket.
Sustrans cycle route 41 passes nearby, as
does the Grand Union Canal. There is a bus to/from Leamington Spa run
by Stagecoach (No 64) which stops right outside the pub. If you come on
Friday there is a fish and chip van outside the pub at 7.30pm –
recommended. There is no showers, only the pub toilets. Discount rate for
Fell Club at ₤5 a night. Contact: M.H.
Information about the Fell Club
The Fell Club is a lightweight camping club for people who do not use private
motorized transport at Club Meets. Members use camping gear which they carry
unaided, walking, cycling, and canoeing. For long distance Meets, public transport is
used. Members camp at their own risk. All ages (over 16 years) and abilities are
welcome. The Club provides a simple magazine x4 with free advertising for
members, unbiased test reports, and DIY instructions, some private sites, regular
meets. The Fell Club was founded in 1969 by people who had a habit of camping on
the high fells.
Current Club Fees
The membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March but, if you join on or after
1st January, your membership is valid for the whole of the following year.
Members and renewals:
Annual single £6
Annual joint £8
Three-year single £15 Three-year joint £20
Note: Three-year only available after at least one year of membership.
Mudguard sticker
£0.50
Pennons
£2.75
Metal badge
£1.25
Orders will be sent out with the next magazine,
Cloth Badge
£1.75
unless a S.A.E. is enclosed.
Total amount. (enter appropriate fee)……………………..……£…………
Free Life Membership will be available on request to those known to be 75
years of age or more, AFTER 15 years' continuous membership.
Type of
membership
Please tick
Title
Surname
Forename
Address
Single
Joint
One Year
Three Year
Postcode
Telephone
Email
Date of Birth
Walker/Cyclist/Other
(please state)
Magazine format
Paper
Life
pdf (via email)
The information you supply will be held on the club’s computer. Access to your details is
only given to committee members in pursuance of club activities and administration. The Fell
Club does not pass details of members to other organisations.
Signed…………………………………………………Date……………………
Please could you send a cheque payable to ‘The Fell Club’, this completed
form and an S.A.E. for reply to:
Robert McDougall,
39 Brooklands Drive,
Kidderminster,
Worcs,
DY11 5EB
Tel: 01562 632418
e-mail: fellclubsecretary(at)hotmail.co.uk
Above: P.T.
Below: J.C.