Perfect weather greeted walkers who met at the car park at Minions for the first outdoor social event of 2009. 21 cheery folk and 2 dogs met at 10.30am and after some banter we had the customary group photo shoot. Simon Pryce, the organiser, led us out through the village and the start of a clockwise circular walk around the perimeter of Caradon hill, with it's huge radio/tv mast atop. After the recent snow and rain on Bodmin moor the walking conditions were surprisingly good under foot.( No muddy boots this time !! ). The walk took in some wonderful views and we passed several disused tin mines with their granite engine houses and chimneys, a reminder of times past.
There were plenty of photo opportunities some of which are shown below. After just short of 2 hours we arrived back in Minions. Simon had wisely pre booked tables for us at the Cheesewring Hotel where we settled for a hearty meal and a pint. ( No Simon didn't pay !! ). For those that haven't been to that area of Bodmin Moor before, it's worth a visit. Plenty to see and do.
It was good to see the two latest new members Steve and Hilary Wingrove join us on the walk; details of which they had found on the website as they are so new they aren't on the Club e-mail list yet! After lunch, it was such a glorious day that Steve, Hilary, Kay & Gary set off in the opposite direction to the morning's walk and went off to see the Hurlers and then the Cheesewring. Which meant that these four walked for 4 hours on Sunday and the Commodore and Secretary's legs know all about that two days later!! Here's hoping that the weather for the first sail of the season is as superb.
Words by Tony Dunn & Kay Ecclestone.