tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70494883696129687752024-03-13T14:47:21.775+00:00UoN's RAMSOC BlogThe place where wit and walking boots combine. Join the University of Nottingham's Rambling and Hiking Society for musings on the meandering we do every Sunday.RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-33920959273128290932019-06-21T17:34:00.000+01:002019-06-21T17:34:22.413+01:00The RAMSOC Archive<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Greetings
from the RAMSOC Archivist!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m Joanna, former Publicity Sec, hater of walking and lover
of RAMSOC, and I have a secret. For the past year, I’ve been storing top secret
RAMSOC files in my bedroom. This started as a well-intentioned but poorly
executed plan for former kit monkey Charlotte and I to sort out through up to
thirty years of paperwork that had been left in RAMSOC storage, but in the past
24 hours has become a true labour of love, in which I’ve finally done the
sorting and made lots of exciting discoveries. What prompted this passion? I
told President Peter he could get rid of them, so he threw all the folders in
the nearest skip, and I regretted it so much that I crept after him and rescued
them all (this is not strictly true – I’ve realised I’ve lost quite a lot from
the 1980s under some bricks. I’m a fool.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Past committee members had painstakingly filed away every
walk sheet and list of walkers from roughly 1999-2010, with the odd gap and a
few pieces which were even older. Whilst I’ve thrown away a lot of these, I’ve
kept enough to show the evolution of walk sheets in RAMSOC, as well as anything
else that I’ve found especially interesting. As a result of my efforts, there
is now one lever arch file which can serve as a sort of Museum of RAMSOC.
(Peter is forbidden from throwing it away!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But I also wanted to create a digital collection of my
findings, because I think they would be interesting to a lot of members. Not
only do they show how RAMSOC has changed over the years, but they also serve as
a cultural history of Britain, of British students, and British walking. There
are technological developments, from handwritten walk sheets, to typewritten,
to word processed. Students enjoyed discos and even a RAMSOC barn dance in the
Portland Ballroom in 1993. Certain threads run through RAMSOC – particularly
pubs, hangovers, and an obsession with scrambles – but others seem to come and
go – my personal favourite was the 1997 consistency in offering a Walk Zero
every week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The most affecting detail was on the 2001 Foot and Mouth
outbreak, in which three walks were cancelled and ramblers hiked nearly 4500
fewer miles than the previous year. To me, it’s amazing how far the effects of
such disasters ripple out, even to our little club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m mostly going to write what I’ve found as I’ve written it
in my notebook, but I’ll also add a concluding paragraph about what this all
means at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Adventures
(if you only read one section, read this bit):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Gareth Moore (2003) says that on a flooded Yorkshire
Dales Weekend Away, several members had to be rescued by a tractor!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was very impressed by the 2003 lot. They gained 317
new members and took a coach <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> a
minibus on their first walk of the year. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2002/3 – after a Youth Hostel made a mistake, RAMSOC
showed up at their weekend away to find they had nowhere to sleep! Members were
farmed off to strangers’ houses or forced to camp.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2001 an envelope was carried round in the event
that a walk ‘was unachievable’ – it is still closed today!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2001 three walks were cancelled because of the Foot
and Mouth epidemic, but that was not the only bad luck this group had. Out of
the 24 walks they did that year, only 6 were completely dry. As a result of
these things, they collectively walked 4595 miles less than the following year.
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There was a successful Scotland weekend away that year
– eleven climbed Ben Nevis!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2000 – Poor committee! Their coach didn’t show up on
their first walk, but people banded together to drive people up to the Peaks. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Traditions
and Bucking the Trends:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We think of the Dark Peak Challenge as a time-honoured
tradition, but in 2001 they did the Yorkshire Three Peaks instead – one person
noted that ‘It was nice to do an event people had actually heard of’<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The High Peak Marathon (as it was then known) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> run 1995. 38 miles in 15 hours, with
an option for 24. The fastest was 7 hrs 51 minutes by Nick Wollestein! This is
faster than our previous records suggest! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Whilst I haven’t found any record of the ‘Red Socks
Award’, ramblesecs have often kept track of who has done the most miles. They
also note the collective mileage – in 2002/3 that was equidistant to London to
Sydney. One of my favourite ramblesecs also collected his fellow committee’s
attendance on the sly – someone had attended 100% of all walks!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Alcohol has been a consistent RAMSOC theme, although
in the early 90s, they didn’t meet back at the pub but all went to different
ones on their walks. Strange! Sunday walks on weekends away have always been
planned with hangovers in mind, with the ramblesec in 1996 selling rehydration
tablets for 50p to help struggling members out! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Walk
Sheets:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For a period of about ten years, walk feedback sheets
were used to gauge the success of walks. My favourites were by ramblesec Dave
Roberts whose were very methodical, including Group Size, Return Time, and
comments. My favourite comment was after a particularly strenuous walk in 1997
- ‘yes, we did do it all, you sceptical bastards’<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lots of Ramblesecs have their own slogans. ‘Don’t get
lost, James’ ‘Enjoy your walk, Rob.’ One guy from 1996, Steve, wrote a Beatles
quote on his every week. Another wrote Welsh translations for their Snowdonia
weekend away. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Even in the ‘70s most ramblesecs used a typewriter,
but there are periods in the ‘90s where walk sheets were handwritten.
Gradually, photos appear, until digital maps developed sufficiently to be
included, like the ones today! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Clearly Grade Two and Grade Three training haven’t
always existed. For a while they simply asked ‘if you want to be a walk leader
put an asterisk’ – imagine having a choice! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Walks
Themselves:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The walks have been far more varied than today, and
RAMSOC was not limited to the Peak District. Although lots of locations appear
time and time again (The Roaches, Ladybower) there have been the odd surprise.
Manifold Valley, Church Stretton, Langsett just outside Barnsley etc. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Nowadays we are very strict with our five walks, but
the number of walks varied wildly. There were often six, but even more on
weekends away. The most surprising to me was that three were offered in
Sherwood Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lots of cute walk names! My favourite were The Roaches
– ‘Three Rocky Things’ ‘Four Rocky Things’<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We used to do the Sherwood Forest walk in Robin Hood
attire. Bring this back!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mystery walk! I think we may have even been doing
these when I first joined. Ramblesec Jon Earl ran a Beatles themed walk (he
also wrote the time of the sunset on each walk sheet – a sensible soul)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I really love the regular inclusion of a Walk Zero, in
places such as Buxton, Chatsworth, Bakewell and Hathersage. They often write
suggestions of things to do. Of course, my favourite is the 2001 Keswick
Weekend Away, in which they comment on the recent opening of the World’s
Largest Pencil at the Pencil Museum! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Coach
(and other logistics):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The coach is often neglected in our discussions of
RAMSOC, but we couldn’t run without it. One of my favourite details is the 2001
debate on whether they could actually get the coach to Edale. They managed, and
it’s now one of our favourite walks! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For a long time, RAMSOC had its own mobile phone.
Before that, they had to use the coach phone. One can only guess how they
managed before that. Morse code? Carrier pigeon?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of my favourite feedback sheets was one filled out
by the coach driver on a 1999 weekend away, where they asked him how he found
the drive. How considerate! I love ramblers. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One bit of admin from 1996 is fascinating – Youth
Hostels in the ‘90s were so cheap! Each one cost roughly £8 per person per
night. I was born in the wrong era. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So what do we do with all this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I think we love RAMSOC a little
more. We come from a long line of anorak-wearing, pint-sipping nerds, who
walked the same footsteps as us, and even lived in the same houses as us.
There’s something beautiful about these strings of similarity that bind us together
across generations – not just a love of walking, but of pubs and puns and
silliness and adventure. I often find posting in the RAMSOC Facebook group
daunting, as I’m sharing something to nearly 2000 people. But I’m so proud of
that connection and the group that connects us. It’s our passion for RAMSOC and
our funny little traditions that keeps RAMSOC going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I also think we can learn from this
little museum. These people ran mystery walks and left the Peak District. They
went to little-known spots and tried new pubs. We do our fair share of this,
but we can always do more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are some funny gaps in this
RAMSOC history. I found very little on socials, except brief mentions of AGMs
and Progressive Meals, and even a barn dance in the Portland Ballroom (do we
assume the Great Hall?). Ram, and all sheep, are disappointingly lacking. Maybe
all of this is our new legacy? Let’s live it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Joanna van Zeller (Ramsoc, 2016-19)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I think there are still documents in stores that could be interesting,
but my time is up (I’m graduating, not dying). Let me know if you’d like to
continue this job, or want more info. I’m passing my folder on to the new
committee. It contains a paper copy of this blog post, examples of walk sheets across the years, and a few more gems.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-84612172885391394922019-03-25T13:47:00.002+00:002019-03-25T13:47:54.308+00:00The Lake District<div class="post-thumbnail" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 2.625em;">
<img alt="" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" data-attachment-id="1511" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n" data-large-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg?w=840" data-medium-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg" data-orig-size="960,720" data-permalink="https://joannavanzeller.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/the-lakes/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n/" height="720" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 60vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg?w=960" srcset="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg 960w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg?w=150 150w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg?w=300 300w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54799315_1958885034221992_6158975947048484864_n.jpg?w=768 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="960" /></div>
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; color: #1a1a1a; float: right; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; width: 524.736px;">
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<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Note: This blog post is taken from RAMSOC member Joanna van Zeller's <a href="https://joannavanzeller.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/the-lakes/">personal blog</a>, and do not necessarily reflect the views of RAMSOC as a whole. </em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Annual Dinner Meet is a decades-old tradition in my Rambling and Hiking Club.</em> Whilst other societies prefer glitz and glamour, we instead lug our formalwear to a youth hostel in the middle of nowhere, along with our waterproofs, fetching woolly hats, and a wine order of at least half a bottle per person (though many enjoy significantly more). No one knows why we do this, but tradition is a powerful thing, one that encourages students to stuff their ball-gowns in their hiking boots and get on a coach driven by the Absolute Legend/Mad-Max-Madman that is Roger.</div>
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This was my final ADM of my university life, and as I shared earphones with my friend Ollie to listen to The Now Show, and received tens of McDonalds Monopoly stickers from rambling friends and strangers when I put out a plea at the service station, I felt such gratitude to this club for introducing me to so many kindred spirits. It didn’t hurt that I’d gotten a free McFlurry out of it, too.</div>
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But something was especially strange and special this weekend. Normally <a href="https://joannavanzeller.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/frozen-songs-and-jelly-babies-walking-when-youre-bad-at-walking/" style="background-color: transparent; box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;">I hate hiking but love my hiking society,</a> because hiking seems to be, effectively, torture. The only reward is a view which, let’s face it, looks better on Google Images, and the fun prize of knowing that you are not dead at the end of it. I do like walking, but this constant uphill-downhill like we’re the Grand Old Duke of freaking York does nothing for me. Why be up or halfway up when you can be down all the time?</div>
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And, finally, they listened to me.</div>
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Every walk, between effing and blinding and sweating and stalling, I repeat the same manifesto. I want a walk that is mostly flat, near a body of water, with a field of unusual livestock. It should have a waterfall, a few eccentricities here and there, a view of some hills with no pressure to ascend them, and finally, we should finish in time for afternoon tea.</div>
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Saturday’s walk round Buttermere and Crummock Water delivered on all counts. I skimmed my first stone, we had not one but <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">two </em>lunch breaks, and enjoyed a dramatic game of pooh sticks over a little waterfall. En route we saw highland cattle and Herdwicks, some paragliders and even giant inflatable flamingos. All the way round, the sun shone and the gorse blossomed and everyone was in high spirits, including our President, James, who always looks slightly mournful when on a walk with me, knowing that he’ll spend the next five hours dangling a Jelly Baby in front of my face to keep me going. I agree that we should have a few walks that are challenging to unfit slow-pokes like me, but I hope the club remembers that, when we run relatively flat walks that suit all abilities, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">everyone</em> can enjoy them.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
<img alt="55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n" class=" wp-image-1518 alignright" data-attachment-id="1518" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n" data-large-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=236&h=315?w=720" data-medium-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=236&h=315?w=225" data-orig-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=236&h=315" data-orig-size="720,960" data-permalink="https://joannavanzeller.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/the-lakes/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n/" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 236px) 85vw, 236px" src="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=236&h=315" srcset="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=236&h=315 236w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=472&h=630 472w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=113&h=150 113w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55564173_1958893940887768_2566662234067435520_n.jpg?w=225&h=300 225w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="236" />After a couple of pints at The Fish Inn (where my dad once stayed in their barn because he’s Jesus?) the Dinner commenced. Burgers were eaten, treacle tart was inhaled, and general merriment abounded, particularly after a raucous committee rendition of 500 Miles. At one point in the evening the older and newer members of RAMSOC split, and it was rather sweet watching the newer members play a surprisingly peaceful game of Spoons whilst the older ones tried to put someone’s (very smoothly removed!) bra on another member during some awful drinking game. I think the newbies will do just fine.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
The next day’s walk was slightly subdued, partly because of the fair few hangovers, but also because we’d all been mildly traumatised by sitting in a 50-seater coach as it hurtled down country lanes. Why hasn’t the Lake District designed its streets with coaches in mind? How selfish. To recover, we enjoyed a serene amble round Derwent Water, where I was able to tick off some other things from my ‘Best Walk Bingo’ – a boardwalk, five poodles with braided hair, a comical fall, and, an arrival in Keswick for a very early afternoon tea.</div>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1519" class="wp-caption alignleft" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_1519" style="box-sizing: inherit; float: left; margin: 0.375em 1.75em 1.75em 0px; max-width: 100%; width: 225px;"><img alt="55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n" class=" wp-image-1519 alignleft" data-attachment-id="1519" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n" data-large-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=225&h=300?w=720" data-medium-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=225&h=300?w=225" data-orig-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=225&h=300" data-orig-size="720,960" data-permalink="https://joannavanzeller.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/the-lakes/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n/" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 85vw, 225px" src="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=225&h=300" srcset="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=225&h=300 225w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=450&h=600 450w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/55793524_407498299828855_7241047306068295680_n.jpg?w=113&h=150 113w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-1519" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #686868; font-size: 0.8125rem; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.61538; padding-top: 0.538462em;">#CoupleGoals</figcaption></figure><div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
After a much-needed scone and pot of earl grey, my friend Charlotte and I ventured to the Derwent Pencil Museum, a place I have longed to return to. I have vivid memories of being a small child gazing up at the World’s Longest Pencil*, and I wanted to see whether it would still seem large now that I’m a little bigger, and my vision’s been sharpened. It does not disap-point, and the whole Museum is informative, interactive, and ingeniously structured (I am a Museum Curation Nerd) – it will be hard to erase from my memory. After visiting the Birmingham Pen Museum last year, and the Derwent Pencil Museum this year, I am not sure what lies in store for me in 2020, but I’m sure the year won’t be stationary!</div>
<div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
Thanks RAMSOC and Committee for a fantastic weekend and great couple of years. I’ll leave with a smile on my face, a song in my heart and a Jelly Baby in my stomach.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
<img alt="54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n" class=" wp-image-1520 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="1520" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n" data-large-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=200&h=150?w=840" data-medium-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=200&h=150?w=300" data-orig-file="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=200&h=150" data-orig-size="960,720" data-permalink="https://joannavanzeller.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/the-lakes/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n/" height="150" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=200&h=150" srcset="https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=200&h=150 200w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=400&h=300 400w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=150&h=113 150w, https://joannavanzeller.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/54514125_354788168470136_7229285104336502784_n.jpg?w=300&h=225 300w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
*I told my dad that I’d visited the Pencil Museum, and he told me that when we were <span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--color-neutral-600);">last </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--color-neutral-600);">t</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--color-neutral-600);">here , I was telling off another child for misbehaving, and the child bit me. Thanks to my brain for repressing that therapy-worthy memory, but teaching me very early on that snitches get stitches.</span></div>
</div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-88653694511446457232019-02-11T12:35:00.000+00:002019-02-11T12:50:20.500+00:00Walking Gifts for Your Valentine (Or Literally Anyone)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfkjVcw3YbQ/XGFvbnLkHUI/AAAAAAAAAfA/epDxoDSe-bsjUXn70V0wZOc-XUHyHiZcgCLcBGAs/s1600/CX8lKAcvmRalcMIyay-Q_PostLoveDesigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="721" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfkjVcw3YbQ/XGFvbnLkHUI/AAAAAAAAAfA/epDxoDSe-bsjUXn70V0wZOc-XUHyHiZcgCLcBGAs/s320/CX8lKAcvmRalcMIyay-Q_PostLoveDesigns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>Struggling to find the perfect gift for your loved one this Valentine’s
Day? We spoke to Love and Walking Guru, and writer of this blog post, Joanna van
Zeller, to hear her best gift ideas.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
A Walk in the Woods (Bill Bryson,
50p from nearly any charity shop)</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdn.waterstones.com/override/v2/large/9781/7841/9781784161446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://cdn.waterstones.com/override/v2/large/9781/7841/9781784161446.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Is your partner literate? Then they’ll love
Bill Bryson’s 1998 classic ‘A Walk in the Woods’, an autobiographical masterpiece
about his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail with his hopeless friend
Stephen Katz. It’s touching, hilarious, and his passages about the joys and
perils of walking uphill are damn near perfection.</div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
A Walk in the Woods (2015 film)</h3>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/89/A_Walk_in_the_Woods_Poster.jpg/220px-A_Walk_in_the_Woods_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/89/A_Walk_in_the_Woods_Poster.jpg/220px-A_Walk_in_the_Woods_Poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Is your partner illiterate? Then they’ll love the film adaptation of ‘A Walk in
the Woods’! If you already know who’s the reacher and the settler, the Jack and
the Rose, the Ross and the Rachel in your relationship, now find out who’s the
Bryson and the Katz! (Note: If you're the Katz you need to change)</div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Wild (2014 film)</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.mymovies.net/images/film/cin/350x522/fid14322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://images.mymovies.net/images/film/cin/350x522/fid14322.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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What better
romantic film than one about hiking rescuing a woman from a deep depression
that she tried to numb with heroin and anonymous sex? At least the soundtrack
is fun! Warning: May cause women to become so strong and independent that they leave you.</div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Love Poles</h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0916/1708/files/prosource_trekking_poles_image_1500x1000_4149e250-1ce2-4614-8fc0-2637cd35578a.jpg?v=1506020145" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0916/1708/files/prosource_trekking_poles_image_1500x1000_4149e250-1ce2-4614-8fc0-2637cd35578a.jpg?v=1506020145" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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Not to be outdone by
Marks and Spencer’s <a href="https://twitter.com/marksandspencer/status/1093434190715109379">Love Sausage</a>, how about our new Love Poles™
(ie literally any walking poles) – Long, lightly muddied and wrapped in carbon
fibre, they are in all outdoor stores now. Say it with sticks.</div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Citronella Candles</h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://na.rdcpix.com/1123256645/0509fba2b4e7d4c3334504193fe56497w-c0xd-w685_h860_q80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="685" height="179" src="https://na.rdcpix.com/1123256645/0509fba2b4e7d4c3334504193fe56497w-c0xd-w685_h860_q80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Why not set
the mood by remembering all the special times you’ve had in the Great Outdoors,
star-gazing, warming yourselves on a fire, and being bitten within an inch of
your life by mosquitoes? Nothing says ‘I love you’ like bugs and blood. Just lots
and lots of bugs and blood.</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And finally, the perfect breakup film:</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
127 Hours (2010)</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b3/127_Hours_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b3/127_Hours_Poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Darling, you see that arm at the bottom of the cavern? That’s
you. And you see James Franco crawling out of the cavern? That’s me. And that
pocket knife? That’s tonight. Okay, I think that’s gone very well. Bye forever!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br />
With these gifts, your love will triumph just like a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail (ie with about a 25-27% success rate). Good luck! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-73550105512448918282018-12-28T18:36:00.002+00:002018-12-28T18:36:46.867+00:00Joanna’s 2018 RAMSOC roundup! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">(but
only September-December because she is a very busy lady who must get back to
her family </span>jigsaw puzzle)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello, and welcome to the first and last annual RAMSOC
newsletter, where we look back on some of the highlights of this year, most of
which are cute animal photos. It has been a real pleasure serving you all as
Publicity Sec, especially for the bit where I’ve actually been in the country
and met the people who open my emails each week. Thank you for embracing Sheep
of the Week just as I’d hoped – every week I baa-sk in the glow of excited
messages from you all. So without further ado, here are some 2018 highlights –
make sure to leave yours in the comments!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
<u style="font-family: inherit;">Weekends Away</u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elterwater and Snowdonia were both exciting adventures in
their own way, particularly the coach/minibus journeys! Although our ascent up
Snowdon was marred by cloud, the cloud inversion and brief views from the top
made it (nearly) all worthwhile, as well as the reward of a delicious meal and
a truly unforgettable bonfire once we got back down. I’ll omit Sunday’s
miserable rainy walks from the 2018 highlights, and instead move onto the
gorgeous weather in Elterwater, where Scafell Pike was at its best, and a lucky
few even managed a Scramble. All this bodes very well for the Brecon Beacons in
February!</span></div>
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday Walks</span></u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ve been all over the place this year! Branching out from
our familiar corners of the Peak District, we’ve also crossed over into the
Lincolnshire Wolds and Shropshire. We’ve been able to admire the views from The
Roaches, Mam Tor and Kinder, amongst other Peak peaks. My favourite walk by far
was around Axe Edge Moor and the Goyt Valley, led by one of our new Grade Two
trainees – and there will be more opportunities for Grade Two training in the
Spring term!</span></div>
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Socials</span></u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, Cheese and Wine Night, we should make you an everyday
event. (also literally every other Wednesday has been super fun, so thanks
Hayley!)</span></div>
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘One Too Many’ Moment</span></u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think every member of the committee was nominated at least
twice, and of course a special commendation must go to our darling Ollie Fisher
and that fire, but the real winner must be the man who just wanted to make us
aware of the wet floor, like the kind caring soul he is, by dancing round it
and wearing it like a codpiece. Thanks, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">el
presidente</i>!</span></div>
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Battle of the Cattle</span></u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This term’s winner of the Battle of the Cattle (a thing I
made up right now) has to be Alex Gibson’s AMAZING COW (which is literally what
it’s saved as on my computer). IT’S SO BIG AND FLUFFY. What a beast.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0E4F1vEeRo/XCZr1Vo4JAI/AAAAAAAAAeM/_ecbCnzjV6cHHMRvjmglWAwf4sl0gvrOQCLcBGAs/s1600/alex%2Bgibsons%2BAMAZING%2BCOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0E4F1vEeRo/XCZr1Vo4JAI/AAAAAAAAAeM/_ecbCnzjV6cHHMRvjmglWAwf4sl0gvrOQCLcBGAs/s400/alex%2Bgibsons%2BAMAZING%2BCOW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Attenborough’ Moment of the Term</span></u></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so grateful to Yiqing for capturing the moment that our
dear Peter Jackson made a new friend. It’s just like Attenborough and the
chimpanzees. The only other nominee for Attenborough Moment of the Term was ‘Literally
Every Moment I’ve Spent with Graham’, who better make at least seven award
winning BBC documentaries about insects please. Keep it up my little
nature-loving friends!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QPClyPCIY4/XCZr7FV2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/QX51QGNS_wI2DFnKK9GHywMUriipZJThgCLcBGAs/s1600/peter%2Bjackson%2Band%2Bhorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QPClyPCIY4/XCZr7FV2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/QX51QGNS_wI2DFnKK9GHywMUriipZJThgCLcBGAs/s400/peter%2Bjackson%2Band%2Bhorse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4>
<u>Group Photo of the Term:</u></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Night Hike:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7gbksLibuk/XCZsJl5pTdI/AAAAAAAAAeY/TekAyxeK6f0Y1WPp4YD8T83IyYWXEMrhACLcBGAs/s1600/group%2Bphoto%2Bfunny%2Btwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7gbksLibuk/XCZsJl5pTdI/AAAAAAAAAeY/TekAyxeK6f0Y1WPp4YD8T83IyYWXEMrhACLcBGAs/s400/group%2Bphoto%2Bfunny%2Btwo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hahahaha only kidding – this is the Actual Group Photo of
the Term</span></u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This one was a tie! The first I love because the people in
the foreground look just so miserable but the people in the background are
making a real effort to look cheerful and it’s adorable. The second one is just
magical in every sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwIumtNFIbE/XCZsOrO9wrI/AAAAAAAAAeg/BfDvuJaZ8TA95KDo0_y-m95pfy38GHDhQCLcBGAs/s1600/group%2Bphoto%2Bfunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwIumtNFIbE/XCZsOrO9wrI/AAAAAAAAAeg/BfDvuJaZ8TA95KDo0_y-m95pfy38GHDhQCLcBGAs/s400/group%2Bphoto%2Bfunny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><br />x</span></div>
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<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sheep of the Semester</span></u></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of all the sheeps of the week, and believe me, we’ve had a
whole flock, this one is by far my favourite. Now don’t get me wrong – I love a
blurry Sheep of the Week. I love pixelated, rain-drenched, jaunty-angled ones.
I love selfies and accidental zooms and pictures where you swear that the sheep
is just out of shot But the quality, the beauty of this photo, and this little,
cheeky, smiling soul in the centre makes me smile every time. Well done Stella!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rKHqFHOC480/XCZsboEBKcI/AAAAAAAAAes/xbQYqomIy-08HYoPWxrpMPXBGLWY3BmzwCLcBGAs/s1600/stella%2Belterwater%2Bthree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rKHqFHOC480/XCZsboEBKcI/AAAAAAAAAes/xbQYqomIy-08HYoPWxrpMPXBGLWY3BmzwCLcBGAs/s400/stella%2Belterwater%2Bthree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>What does 2019 hold (apart from March 29 and potential
Apocalypic Doom)?</u></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ve got a corker of a year planned for you, and all my
favourite socials yet to come (and they’ve already been so good!). The Burns
Night Ceilidh promises to be a scream, and we’ve got Cocktails and Canapés, the
Progressive Meal and, my favourite, Cake and Ale – that’s right, eating and
drinking will still be a big part of RAMSOC. Oh yeah, and apparently we’ll be
doing some walking too. Our first walk will be Hathersage on the 27<sup>th</sup>
January.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime, I hope you all have a restful break – I thoroughly
recommend the Shaun the Sheep Movie on BBC iPlayer – I’ve already watched it
twice this week, so am earning my Crazy Sheep Lady badge. And I will see you in
2019 for more fun and games! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-15309954582857584982018-10-02T16:55:00.000+01:002018-10-02T16:55:41.376+01:00Peak District PoetryHere is a selection of the Peak District Poetry written for RAMSOC emails between April and June of 2018:<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
<i>Peak District Poem – What is Sunday for if not for the Peaks?</i></h3>
<div>
What is Sunday for if not for the Peaks?</div>
<div>
Where can I go after the Sunday next week?</div>
<div>
Like a ramble in January my summer seems bleak,</div>
<div>
What is Sunday for if not for the Peaks?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I suppose my Sunday is meant to be for church,</div>
<div>
But where’s my sheep, beer, and sunshine? My oaks, fir and birch?</div>
<div>
This Ramsoc hiatus has left my weekends in the lurch,</div>
<div>
What is Sunday for? I’ll continue my search.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What is Sunday for? Perhaps I’ll try to study,</div>
<div>
But without my fresh air, my brain is getting fuzzy</div>
<div>
My walking boots look sad, all clean, no longer muddy.</div>
<div>
I fear I cannot study ‘til I see my Sunday rambling buddies.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But in the quiet of the day I hear Wednesday squeak,</div>
<div>
“You may not have found your Sunday but if it’s sun and fun you seek,</div>
<div>
Play board games and visit a bouncy planet – havoc you may wreak,</div>
<div>
And make sure to raise a glass to socials - your new hero is the midweek!”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So don’t worry – with us there’s always fun you can salvage,</div>
<div>
And get ready for the big one in June, our Dark Peak Challenge! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
<i>Royal Wedding Limerick</i></h3>
</div>
<div>
<div>
There once was a hiker called Harry,</div>
<div>
On his sleeve his heart he would carry,</div>
<div>
On a warm Dark Peak walk,</div>
<div>
He and Meghan got to talk,</div>
<div>
And soon, finally Prince Harry will marry! </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
A Haiku, inspired by my discovery last year that walking socks exist, as in, socks specifically for walking. (what are all other socks for???)</h3>
<div>
Whole sheep on my feet</div>
<div>
These socks cost more than Meg’s dress</div>
<div>
And still they blister</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<i>Save the Bees</i></h3>
<div>
<div>
Save the bees,</div>
<div>
Our fuzzy mates,</div>
<div>
Who welcome me</div>
<div>
At country gates</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Save the bees</div>
<div>
Whose buzzing keeps</div>
<div>
Boredom away when</div>
<div>
In it tries to creep</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Save the bees</div>
<div>
Whose honey sweetens my palate</div>
<div>
I love it much more</div>
<div>
Than my tuna salad</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Save the bees</div>
<div>
Don’t be a ninny</div>
<div>
Don’t break the heart</div>
<div>
Of my dear friend Winnie</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Save the bees</div>
<div>
It’s really groovy</div>
<div>
But please don’t recreate</div>
<div>
The Bee Movie</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<h3>
<i>The Dark Peak Challenge</i></h3>
<div>
<div>
You’ve won the battle, but here’s the war:</div>
<div>
Saving your body after climbing Mam Tor,**</div>
<div>
And those 20-odd other miles in between,</div>
<div>
Where you don’t remember applying sun cream.</div>
<div>
Now you’re a lobster after its been thrown in the pot,</div>
<div>
Blisters and burns and squeezable spots,</div>
<div>
Aches and pains in god-knows where,</div>
<div>
Don’t worry – I’ve got some questionable advice to share</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If your skin is more scarlet than the letter,</div>
<div>
Knit yourself an ice lolly sweater.</div>
<div>
Or for something a little clearer,</div>
<div>
Take a bath in aloe vera.</div>
<div>
If getting rid of pain is what you’re about,</div>
<div>
Try Jamie Oliver’s lemon and garlic pan-fried trout,</div>
<div>
Or if you need more intense first aid,</div>
<div>
Forget your troubles by watching Beyonce’s Lemonade,</div>
<div>
Need something to soothe your quads?</div>
<div>
Lie in the park and pet all the dogs</div>
<div>
This Challenge has got you feeling Bake-unwell?</div>
<div>
A six-pack of Mr Kiplings snack is the real healing spell.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But the real cure for Dark Peaks agony,</div>
<div>
Is the knowledge that actually,</div>
<div>
For the next twelve months you have nothing to fear,</div>
<div>
Until the 2019 Dark Peak Challenge next year! </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-92203916345177479772018-03-16T23:25:00.000+00:002018-10-01T22:57:01.809+01:00Nastya's Final Nostalgia: A RAMSOC Confession<div>
It's Wednesday the 14th, 14:14. The AGM is on tonight: the election of a new committee, and freedom for the old one. It's an important occasion, and I even attempt to pick pretty clothes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A friend asked me yesterday evening: "How do you feel about the end of your reign as publicity sec?". I don't know to be honest, but I guess the answer is "Sad". You see, being on committee is quite addictive. It's almost like being in a relationship: your phone buzzes all the time, and it's the only thing you can talk about. When you finish Uni, it takes a few years to learn to say no to helping the club out; some seem to never escape. Sometimes you spend a long time flipping through the blurry grey photographs you took on walks, remembering the views, silly jokes, and how you helped someone get out of a bog. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Funny to mention, but I used to get butterflies every time the tickets sold out. I was treasurer last year, and, as we say: "Once treasurer, always treasurer". I was so much into it that I accidentally made my handover last 4 days. David, I really hope you don't hold anything against that. It's not the most exciting role, but it's a damn important one. A few years ago, RAMSOC wasn't doing well for money, and the Admin Sec had to pay out of their own pocket to cover for hostel deposits, just hoping that people would turn up on the day and pay. Today, we are doing really well as walks sell out consistently: this allows us to keep the prices down. RAMSOC is getting better and more organized each year, and it is a pleasure to witness. </div>
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<div>
Trent Tower strikes 9pm: the AGM has just finished. I post a few photos on Facebook to let everyone know about the new committee, they look like a really good bunch. I am somewhat jealous as I won't get the committee banter anymore, but I am also pleased to be free. I know I will be with RAMSOC for another few years, one way or another: "One does not simply leave the club". I will probably end up being the next Tom Howe*: someone who never goes away. I have already mentioned to the new committee I want to renew my First Aid training so I can FA on walks in the future, and if I had a driving license, I would definitely become a minibus driver.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYmCElBSXYc/WqxN4Tu2BQI/AAAAAAAAAcI/MPJv4QSNEtYQ8K5ie85PxV29uRxgtgPtgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_9333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYmCElBSXYc/WqxN4Tu2BQI/AAAAAAAAAcI/MPJv4QSNEtYQ8K5ie85PxV29uRxgtgPtgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_9333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
The next thing on my calendar is G3 training. It's next Friday, in case you don't know. I'm looking forward to the chilled out days, like ropework and and night nav, but I don't really fancy doing Skiddaw at the moment (I always thought it was a horrible climb!) Maybe I can do the Old Man on that day - I have the bus pass after all. I will take our little group to the best pub in the Central Lakes, and possibly to the best Thai restaurant in the UK too. I spent two weeks there alone this summer, and know the area quite well. I'm planning to go again in a few months, and will meet up with (another!) David for a hill or two. The place is simply mesmerizing; I can understand Wainwright 100%. I might even end up doing my hen-do up there, if I ever get married.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have other plans for the hills next year; I'm not talking so much about ascent, but distance instead. I want to discover the Brecon Beacons, and also take part in a charity marathon in the Peaks. I am also looking at walks in Sweden and Norway. I've been trying to get some friends interested, but most of them say "You are crazy". Well, I guess so; everyone in the club (with no exception) is a little bit crazy. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRdvKWQvFRQ/WqxOE0fDeiI/AAAAAAAAAcM/GjlN-W5ZiF025mHy_6xSOb6vVMjjSlPXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1235" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRdvKWQvFRQ/WqxOE0fDeiI/AAAAAAAAAcM/GjlN-W5ZiF025mHy_6xSOb6vVMjjSlPXgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
RAMSOC has been a beautiful experience. I met my best friend for life here (Tom, have a round of applause), and so many other wonderful people. They are all different: some do engineering, others do history or economics. Some are so chatty they give you a headache, others take an hour to warm up for a sentence. I love them all equally, and they love me back. Last week, I had the most delicious dinner with one of them; we watched Hot Fuzz and talked for ages. RAMSOC has become the foundation of my life. I used to think that because I did an engineering degree, I had to become an engineer. Well, guess what? It turns out there is absolute no need for it. There are so many other things I can do: there are Ordnance Survey and Harvey opportunities that I am qualified for, and I can always start a business of my own. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, I've been going on for too long, hope I haven't bored you. Have a great Easter and good luck with revision. See you again for a walk in Matlock, or for a drink at Mooch. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
RAMSOC Love, </div>
<div>
Your ex-publicity-officer </div>
<div>
Nastya<br />
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</div>
<div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
*An alumni member who some<i>howe</i> never manages to escape (see what I did there?)</div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-31099354362426252202017-09-27T11:30:00.002+01:002018-10-01T23:53:41.408+01:00Should you join RAMSOC?<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
How to know if Ramsoc is the right club for you:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Committing to
joining a club at university can seem like a stressful task, especially if you
don’t know if you will enjoy it. Answer this quiz to find out if you belong to
our wonderful Rambling and Hiking Club!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Which description do you fit best?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>A</b>.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->I
love walking and am incredibly fit. I am also really great at making
conversation, particularly at pubs. I am currently studying engineering.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>B</b>.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->I
quite like walking and can make it up Portland Hill without dying. The pub
isn’t really my thing but I’d love to make some new friends. I study some kind
of science.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>C</b>.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->I
hate walking, have no sense of direction, and have to lie down after a walk
round the lake. I do love pubs but am much better at drinking alone and watching
Netflix. I’m in Humanities, and have no understanding of basic scientific
concepts. I have no interests.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>A<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Well, of course this club is for you, and we can’t wait
to welcome you aboard! You’re going to love our challenging walks, especially
on our frequent weekends away to explore other parts of the British Isles. And
make sure to keep your Wednesdays free for all of our amazing socials – can’t
wait to see you at Cheese and Wine night!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>B</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>B</b> is for ‘<b>B</b>oy, are you going to love Ramsoc!’ We know
that this might not have been number one on your list, but we hope to grow on
you, like lush, green moss on one of the many beautiful trees we get to walk
past on our rambles. Sundays are a tricky day to plan at uni, so we hope that
you let us plan it for you. And don’t worry if you don’t like the pub – our
Wednesday socials are full of exciting activities. Just check out our calendar!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>C<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Read on. This is a love letter from a past <b>C</b> (now <b>B</b>, has
dreams of one day becoming an <b>A</b>), in the hope that you will join the society
that has given her such unexpected joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I spent most of my first year at university visiting the
Cat Café, eating custard creams, and drinking wine (sometimes simultaneously),
and I honestly had a really great year. When it came time to choose new activities
for second year, however, I knew I should explore my passions, and I remember
scrolling all the way through the SU Clubs and Societies page to realise that I
actually had none. There was nothing that I was interested in. I chose Rambling
and Hiking Society by a process of elimination, and because all my housemates
went to church/were hungover/both, which made Sundays rather lonely. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On my first Ramsoc walk to Castleton, we stopped at a lovely
village called Hope. With hindsight, I can enjoy the beautiful symbolism of
that. At the time, however, we started to scale a hill so steep that it left me
focusing on where they would be able to land the emergency helicopter to rescue
me. But what struck me, and still completely confounds me, is that people stuck
by me despite the volume of my cursing. And it wasn’t just because they were
legally obligated to (though that was part of it – Ramsoc is excellent at
following protocol), but because everyone there is just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really nice.</i> And that is underrated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In the weeks that followed, my university world was
transformed. At the beginning, getting to know <b>A</b>s and <b>B</b>s (and attempting to
talk to them whilst walking uphill) filled me with self-loathing and a worry
that I would never fit in. But that soon changed when I realised they were just
super cool people, like you and I. I discovered that engineers have a wonderful
sense of humour and a fascination for the arts, and that even very athletic
people need a break – they are human! And I got to make friends surrounded by
our green and pleasant land (and some mud and some cows and, twice, a sheep’s
carcass). One of the coolest things is meeting people from all over the world,
and getting to be their first port of call for understanding England. One of
the best conversations I’ve ever had in my life was trying to describe to an
international student what a goat is. “Umm…it’s like if a sheep lost some
weight and also kinda looked like my grandpa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
By walking, you get to experience the beauty of
everything we have in this world, whether that’s the view at the top of Scafell
Pike, or a warm shower after a snowy walk. Believe me, never will your cooking
have tasted so good than when you’re eating it for lunch behind a boulder
whilst sheltering from the rain. And that warm glow you feel after a pint of
cider will be tripled when drinking it with new friends. There will also be
some parts of Ramsoc that will surprise you. I discovered that I loved
clubbing, with a group of people that I’d only ever seen in raincoats and
walking boots (and damn, did they look good). Ramsoc made me say something I
never thought I would say, that flat roads are not always better than hills. I
also found out that human beings can walk faster than buses when walking back
from town with experienced ramblers (I trailed behind). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But that brings me to a good point – will you be any
fitter after joining Ramsoc? Well, I like to think so. The two flights of
stairs in my Lenton house definitely became easier, and I think Ramsoc makes
exercise enjoyable to unfit and non-competitive people (both me). I used to be
like an opossum in that if I sensed too much movement I would lie down and play
dead. Now I’m more like a…tortoise? Rhino? Jellyfish? I’m not very good at
animal metaphors… But I do know that I exercise much more – currently I’m
swimming every day and have joined an underwater hockey team, because once you
join one eccentric sport, you can’t go back. And Ramsoc definitely motivated me
to start getting fitter, because I can’t wait to return from my year abroad and
try out some higher level walks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
If I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
talking to Joanna-from-a-year-ago, I don’t think she would want to be fitter, or
climb bigger hills. I know she definitely wouldn’t like the mud or the rain.
But I know that she would jump at the chance to see more of England (and get
some Insta followers for her filter-free snaps of Snowdon). I know that she’d
love having something on her schedule every week to look forward to, and people
there every week to look forward to. It’s even better that those people are
charming and funny and kind and incredibly attractive (I was not paid to say
this, but am willing to accept gifts). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And I know that she would like to see me, one year on
from joining Ramsoc. No huge changes, but walking taller, small-talk better, a
little bit worse at holding her liquor, and definitely smiling a little wider. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
To my <b>C</b>s, I really hope you have as rewarding a year at
Ramsoc as I did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
All the best, </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Joanna</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Proud Ramsoc member <...and honorary RamSoc Blog Manager></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-62035053040355651452017-05-13T18:15:00.001+01:002018-10-01T22:56:41.577+01:00RAMSOC in reality <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h4>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">by Joanna van Zeller</span></i></h4>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></i></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Think you can only use
your walking skills in the Peak District? Think again, as I teach you how I’ve
learned to conquer the struggles of city living with everything I’ve learned in
Ramsoc.</i> </span></h3>
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Sometimes, after the long coach rides and the arguments that
don’t seem to resemble English (was that a tor or a fell? A beck or a brook?),
rambling and hillwalking can become rather other-worldly. Sundays seem to be on
a separate calendar, which is especially true when you see everyone out of
their fleeces and in Real Normal People’s Clothes at a Wednesday social. And
everything you’ve learned on a walk or weekend away, like how to read a map or
take a bearing, can seem completely irrelevant during a 9am on a Monday. But it
doesn’t have to be that way! By following these top tips, every day can be a
Sunday, and can even make those chores that little bit easier…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Find your
way out of Ocean!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>Our
Treasurer David Dewar is grateful for this tip - he's been stuck in Bodega for
weeks!</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you get lost in the beauty of Baywatch and suddenly
realise that you have no idea how to leave? No worries, I’m sure you all know
how to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Compass">make a compass</a> using a magnetised hairpin in a glass of water –
simply replace the water with your vodka-lemonade and magnetise the hairpin
with your H&M dress and you’re good to go. A few bearings and a peek at
your OS map that I’m sure you’ve smuggled in, and you’ll be home in no time.
Unfortunately this does not work for the Victoria Centre – once you’ve entered
there, you’re in for good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Defeat
Portland Hill<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I am so exhausted from my eight hours per week of
lectures (ah, humanities) that I think about catching the Jubilee hopper bus
from its stop at George Green Library to the top of Portland Hill. The journey,
on a busy day, takes maybe 30 seconds on foot, but there is something about
that hill that beats me every time. Maybe it’s the fact that joyless Hallward
waits for me at the top… Anyway, I now have a little voice that accompanies me
up that hill, which shouts “You made it up Place Fell, you made it up Lose Hill
and one day, by Jove, you’ll make it up Win Hill. So you can definitely get up
this lousy one too!” (My inner voice sounds like a 1940s pilot.) And with that,
I march up faster than any other hungover student. Ramsoc has made me King of
the campus, King of Derby Road, and even King of the Castle (or the road
leading up to it, at least!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Save your
housemate’s life<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s face it, we all have that one housemate who we are
surprised is still alive. Whether this is from drunken dares or the lack of
basic culinary skills, we wake up each day and hand them plasters because we
know they’ll need them for something. But worry no more fellow ramblers! By
taking Ramsoc’s First Aid course and becoming a trained First Aider, you can
give them a fireman’s lift from Crisis, and bandage wounds on <i>any</i> body part (apologies in advance for
the awkward outcomes this can lead to). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Befriending
local wildlife<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t mean to brag, but as a result of Ramsoc, I’ve become
quite the matador. Every Sunday I risk my life parading past cows with my cape,
an old red anorak, and they daren’t come near me. The same can be said for the
particularly vicious breeds of Peak District sheep. And you too can learn and
bring your new-fangled Doctor Doolittle charms to the big city! I’ll admit that
the Nottingham wildlife is (mostly) tamer, but now that you know their wilder
friends, the cats and pigeons will be begging to roll over for belly rubs,
especially my BFF Bertie the Hallward Cat. You might even be able to snap a
selfie with a deer!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gFhOEm9AZo/WRc83AYWTaI/AAAAAAAAAbg/mKGo4yE-tjI-ru-bUrjDXCH2mP_29BNIwCEw/s1600/18516277_1541953045817433_1173422679_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gFhOEm9AZo/WRc83AYWTaI/AAAAAAAAAbg/mKGo4yE-tjI-ru-bUrjDXCH2mP_29BNIwCEw/s400/18516277_1541953045817433_1173422679_n.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this is just the start of the ways that Ramsoc will
enrich your everyday experience. Ramsoc has taught me that I can survive huge
lengths of time on just Haribo and Jelly Babies, which is very useful during
exam time. Once you’ve taken the minibus test and driven us through the Lake
District, you can then pull off daredevil Top Gear-style driving whilst trying
to park in Lenton. And now I’ve learned how to fold an OS map, I can do the
most complex origami effortlessly. So try these out next time you’re stuck in
Ocean or facing an aggressive snail, and let me know in the comments what everyday
skills Ramsoc has taught you!<o:p></o:p></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-47985328464940775502016-05-08T17:33:00.000+01:002018-10-01T22:54:59.771+01:00An account of The Dark Peak Marathon, 2015<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last year, I took part in the Dark Peak Marathon (DPM), an
event Ramsoc runs every year where participants walk 24 or 37 miles around the
peak district, seeing some of the best sights, from Mam Tor and Kinder, to
Ladybower reservoir. This is a short account of my experience of the DPM.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The early start was immediately worth it when we arrived at
Ladybower Reservoir- the surrounding hills were picturesque in the early
morning sun, and everyone was raring to go. The weather was forecast to remain
like this for the whole day, adding to everyone’s excitement, however far they
were walking (I was doing the 24 mile route). We were split into groups – so
that every group had someone capable of reading a map and any necessary group
kit. After a group photo over the Ladybower dam, everyone set out for a day of
walking.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qusrwOAoqOc/Vy9ohWEyuYI/AAAAAAAAAZw/j082LEr3cfog9JQKnzzgfVqSln1SLHjiQCLcB/s1600/DPM%2Bstart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qusrwOAoqOc/Vy9ohWEyuYI/AAAAAAAAAZw/j082LEr3cfog9JQKnzzgfVqSln1SLHjiQCLcB/s320/DPM%2Bstart.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first hill was hardest of the day. Halfway up, I was
questioning my sanity- why had I decided to do this, was I out of mind? I
carried on thinking so before suddenly realising we’d reached the top of Win
hill, and could see both Ladybower reservoir behind, and the great ridge where
we’d be heading later in the day. The first hill of the day deserved a snack
break while we took in the beautiful views, before setting off for the great
ridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5UeSdo6xWc/Vy9o7v_wq1I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/zxmiFzDkJ88ya0i0ZnMfytle9u4bzUhQACLcB/s1600/IMG_9775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5UeSdo6xWc/Vy9o7v_wq1I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/zxmiFzDkJ88ya0i0ZnMfytle9u4bzUhQACLcB/s320/IMG_9775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before getting to the Great Ridge, we had to descend Win Hill
before ascending Lose Hill. I was prepared for the hill this time though, and
was pleasantly surprised when we reached the top. From there, we walked along
the great ridge, with views of Castleton and Edale valley on either side. Upon
reaching the peak of Mam Tor, we reached the first check point (one down-
several more to go!). We were ahead of time, so after a short break; we left
the checkpoint and headed to the edge of Kinder. On the way, we passed Jacob’s
ladder and Kinder downfall. Kinder Downfall was particularly epic; the wind at
the top of the fall caused some of the water to be blown back at us as we
walked by. We next came to the checkpoint at Snake’s pass, where we stopped for
an overdue lunch.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LR0dXoTQwI/Vy9pN-TzBpI/AAAAAAAAAaA/61N-JhxWeqEHNtiL5_Wc1Fn50KK5vuS4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LR0dXoTQwI/Vy9pN-TzBpI/AAAAAAAAAaA/61N-JhxWeqEHNtiL5_Wc1Fn50KK5vuS4gCLcB/s320/IMG_9777.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The wind picked up during lunch, so I was happy to head
downhill toward Snake Inn. However, the sun was shining, and walking through
the woods near Snake Inn was very relaxing after the past couple of weeks of exams.
As we were ahead of time, we took the last few miles of the DPM at a more leisurely
pace and enjoyed the glorious weather and lovely surroundings. Even the last
hill at Alport Castles couldn’t dishearten me, and the knowledge that the end
was near spurred me on. At approximately 6 o’clock, we descended into
Fairholmes, to complete the 24 mile DPM. Even though my legs ached after the
days walking (my phone recorded that I’d taken 60000 steps that day), I was
extremely satisfied. It only sunk in then how far we’d come, and what an
achievement completing the DPM was. After all the groups competing in the 24
mile version arrived at the finish point, we did what Ramsoc does best- we
headed for the pub.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vU5sCiQ8dXA/Vy9peJZHcnI/AAAAAAAAAaE/QqgpqmDlefktxaqpw9TeccRo_WmMy50-QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vU5sCiQ8dXA/Vy9peJZHcnI/AAAAAAAAAaE/QqgpqmDlefktxaqpw9TeccRo_WmMy50-QCLcB/s320/IMG_9779.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a day’s walking, being able to sit down and relax at
the pub was the greatest feeling. Although I would have eaten anything at that
point, the food at the pub was excellent (I had BBQ ribs) and everyone enjoyed
a couple of well-earned pints. It was a great way to finish such a rewarding
day. It was dark when we left the peak district, and the journey back was
somewhat quieter than the morning journey- the only person who managed to stay
awake the whole journey was the bus driver (I think). I was very ready for the bed
when I arrived back at my room in halls, but even in my exhausted state, I knew
I’d had a brilliant time doing the DPM, and couldn’t wait the take part again
in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tom Roche</b></span></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-51815713779706998902016-04-17T19:33:00.002+01:002018-10-01T22:54:27.232+01:00Snowdonia Grade 3 training, 4th - 7th April 2016<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">DAY 1</span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Buzz, buzz, buzz, across the bunkhouse, as several
mobile phones inform us that it is time to get going for Day 1 of our Grade 3 Training. A hive of activity, several showers, sandwiches prepared
and ultimately we are all out for 08:30 (well nearly) as Tom had requested.</span><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Into the minibus we go, the day is looking okay. Not
exactly blazing sunshine but visibility is good and the mountains of Snowdonia
look fantastic. We travel for a little while and the scenery starts to change. ‘You do realise we are driving away from all the mountains here Tom?’ says a
perplexed Lee. Suddenly after 40 minutes we stop. Off the bus and its relocate
time. Essentially, find yourself on the map, not a lot to go on here haha, a
railway line, a lake, an arterial road and a welcome board to a specific area. So
we all knew where we were (Rhyd-Ddu) and I guess if we failed here it was going
to be a long week! However, we enjoyed it while it lasted for now we were going
into the world of micro-nav and detailed micro-nav at that, where we expected
to give several reasons to one of the leaders as to why we were specifically in
this precise location.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HjCY8ugHYk/VxJwCiOjLkI/AAAAAAAAAZY/6gj8SSwPD2wV14P-ViduWXsvRbsrwr2SQCLcB/s1600/Day%2B1%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HjCY8ugHYk/VxJwCiOjLkI/AAAAAAAAAZY/6gj8SSwPD2wV14P-ViduWXsvRbsrwr2SQCLcB/s320/Day%2B1%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">We were split into pairs, and the leaders explaining how teamwork is so important; that when leading a Ramsoc walk we will </span></span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">primarily </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">work in pairs and so it is a useful skill to have. It was James Smith and Military James (sorry, no heroic tale to tell here, I do believe he is destined for great things though) turn to lead after being shown a point on the map. The rest of the group put our maps away and we followed the two James’. Continuing along the bridleway everything appeared fairly straightforward and suddenly they stop. They have a small discussion and then they leave the path and venture across the boggy ground. The two James’ debate for a while and they call one of the four leaders across (Tom Howe, Aneurin Davies, Andy Pickup and Louisa Cox) to explain why they believe they are in the right location. Once this is confirmed, the rest of our group take out our maps and it now our chance to relocate.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">However, this was to be the exact location. It was no
longer useful to say we can see Llyn Cwellyn reservoir from here or Y Garn
Mountain to give us an approximate location and then narrow it down with
boundary features. The premise of this training was to look at a more immediate
area and primarily to put into practice three skills for gaining location. Remembering
our journey (what we had seen along the way), pacing ( how many double steps it
takes to travel 100m, which varies for everyone but is exceptionally useful)
and the use of contours. Contours being particularly important, as the leaders
explained, land features will change and maps become dated but contours should
be the same. Tom was to further show this fact later when he showed us a 1:50K
map which lacks the boundary features of the 1:25K and yet we could still
locate ourselves adequately using the contours and other natural land features.
Once relocation had been verified, it was then the turn of the next pairing.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">This pattern of leading in pairs to a new location and establishing known location was to continue throughout the day as we made
our way along the bridleway and public footpath until we attained the summit of
Snowdonia. Whilst it had taken a while to summit the mountain, the wealth of
knowledge we accrued along the way was truly remarkable and as we stood on top
of the summit, seeing the lovely views of mist, we could be proud of gaining
extra skills. We made our way down the mountain and had been asked
approximately how long it would take to descend the mountain. Two hours in
total, with a brave Lee stoically refusing to let the pain of his ankle hold
him back after his unfortunate lunchtime slip on a rock I had literally just
stepped on!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHIaB3buaeg/VxJwEKdll5I/AAAAAAAAAZc/tdK_U8bjXdYMDf_CtmUX8tshDWT_FjPRACLcB/s1600/Day%2B1%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHIaB3buaeg/VxJwEKdll5I/AAAAAAAAAZc/tdK_U8bjXdYMDf_CtmUX8tshDWT_FjPRACLcB/s320/Day%2B1%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Back to the bunkhouse we went, where Tom Howe and his
helpers produced a fantastic chicken curry and then the lads rolled up their sleeves
and kicked into action doing the washing up. We all got refreshed and then at
21:00 we split into groups and partook in theory led by Tom as to the
responsibilities a grade 3 leader would have. A great day was had but we were
all certainly ready for our beds!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 107%;">David Park</b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">DAY 2</span></b></h3>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday dawned for the RAMSOC trainees and brought with it the rope work
section of the Grade 3 training. The first part of the section was all about
finding suitable ground anchors (technical term for a rock!) that we could tie
a rope to. In order to test a rock’s suitability various techniques had to be
carried out including kicking the rock to see if it would move or wobble. For
this reason, the name quickly changed from ‘rope work’ to ‘the rock kicking
course’. After this we were sent in pairs to practise body belaying which
involves using a rope to ensure somebody’s safety on a steep ascent or descent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sdCCWvmSj4/VxD1TmCKnCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/0pX6fQugJso2V53VIZtqkiaf2KePEIg8gCLcB/s1600/Rope%2Bwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sdCCWvmSj4/VxD1TmCKnCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/0pX6fQugJso2V53VIZtqkiaf2KePEIg8gCLcB/s320/Rope%2Bwork.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then disaster struck. We were stuck on a hillside with a casualty!
Admittedly this was a purely metaphorical casualty but the principles were the
same. We were about to be taught methods for moving the casualty to safety. The first way is a fireman’s lift where one
person carries the casualty on their shoulder. Next came a take on the classic
piggyback which involved using a rucksack to help support the casualty, which
Anna and I demonstrated brilliantly! The final method was to use a bright
orange survival bag as an improvised stretcher. We carried Tom successfully
down the 120m rocky and boggy hillside to the safety of civilisation. A great
display of team work!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thanks to some great techniques from Tom and Neu, you can rest assured
that your grade 3 walk leader will know what to do.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxwqD-nW1fk/VxD1ju7WTuI/AAAAAAAAAYc/7D6w_pE9UU4UgrThpUFRS6wz4GQ-QIswwCLcB/s1600/Day%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxwqD-nW1fk/VxD1ju7WTuI/AAAAAAAAAYc/7D6w_pE9UU4UgrThpUFRS6wz4GQ-QIswwCLcB/s320/Day%2B2.jpg" width="245" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The adventure continued with an inspirational visit and tour of the
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue and I really need to get myself some of their
equipment (talk about hiker’s envy). It also saw the most intense tug of war in
the history of RAMSOC, with Louisa easily thrashing four guys.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Straight after our Mountain Rescue visit we had the night Nav part of
the training. This involved using techniques learnt during the micro Nav
exercises during the day but with the limitation of only being able to see as
far as our torches would reach. We were split into pairs and had to come up with
a plan to get to a chosen position on the map. Afterwards, a well deserved hot
dessert and a few hours rest ready for the adventures of Wednesday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>James Pailing</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.0pt;">DAY 3</span></h3>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fresh from
our nighthike the night before we had a leisurely breakfast in the bunkhouse
before leaving for our day out on the hills. We set off in the minibus and parked
at Idwal cottage, a place now very familiar to us after our escapades the day
before! The car park was less full than yesterday – a forecast of bad weather
had put many people off walking today!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kitted up
in many layers (well I at least had 6) and paired up to continue micro-nav we
retraced our steps up the path to where we were doing rope work on Tuesday. We continued past until we got to Llyn (lake)
Idwal and then paused for some relocation! The weather was still sunny but this
was soon to change…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytNXuneoKbQ/VxD20QuallI/AAAAAAAAAY0/fTCUN1BF9FcxkMVAG_VhzFNVm7dXB1UjACLcB/s1600/Day%2B3%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytNXuneoKbQ/VxD20QuallI/AAAAAAAAAY0/fTCUN1BF9FcxkMVAG_VhzFNVm7dXB1UjACLcB/s320/Day%2B3%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We left
the lake, ascending on an unmarked path and crossing a couple of fast running
streams. Pausing for lunch we enjoyed the view of Llyn Idwal below and watched
the clouds draw in. The wind picked up speed and over the lake a small
whirlwind formed which was quite impressive to watch!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next
part of the day was even more exciting; we were about to start a scramble up
senior’s gully. Since safety whilst doing a scramble is paramount our scramble
leaders Tom Howe and Neu carefully arranged us into an order we had to follow
the whole way up. After a short briefing on the finer aspects of the scramble
techniques we set off! There was a buzz of excitement and anticipation in the
air as Alex led us up into the gully. The journey up the gully was slow as everyone
helped each other up the more tricky sections but everyone seemed to enjoy
themselves and there were times when we could stop and enjoy the views!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuLG_64OaKM/VxD20eAfV5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/k0PBvcDJ53Ypv4FvWEYiR1DD1CP5FYwmwCKgB/s1600/Day%2B3%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuLG_64OaKM/VxD20eAfV5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/k0PBvcDJ53Ypv4FvWEYiR1DD1CP5FYwmwCKgB/s320/Day%2B3%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually
we made it to the top, where we were not best pleased to discover the ground
was rather boggy! After a brief pause for relocation, some much needed Haribo
and time to admire the views we were on our way to find another unmarked path;
this task involved jumping across a few streams! Soon we were on a more rocky
path, hugging a contour line parallel to the lake below. Now for some more
dramatic weather; this time hail and 40mph winds!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oj-8z4HQAE/VxD2yMbxljI/AAAAAAAAAYo/DQkvShF3QVwhtMdAydasZh5o1lgBJbIwACKgB/s1600/Day%2B3%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oj-8z4HQAE/VxD2yMbxljI/AAAAAAAAAYo/DQkvShF3QVwhtMdAydasZh5o1lgBJbIwACKgB/s320/Day%2B3%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Struggling
against the winds, eventually Nastya and I caught up with the rest of the group
and then we all began the descent back down to the lake.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy91V0i0veQ/VxD26gKIGtI/AAAAAAAAAY8/POpr-eK7RaIAn64R5tqXlF6F6XneRcW4wCKgB/s1600/Day%2B3%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy91V0i0veQ/VxD26gKIGtI/AAAAAAAAAY8/POpr-eK7RaIAn64R5tqXlF6F6XneRcW4wCKgB/s320/Day%2B3%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-113C060GfWE/VxD27RILTCI/AAAAAAAAAZI/VIkSX9kak7gr-m6w3FamuDw35KApF_hXACLcB/s1600/Day%2B3%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-113C060GfWE/VxD27RILTCI/AAAAAAAAAZI/VIkSX9kak7gr-m6w3FamuDw35KApF_hXACLcB/s320/Day%2B3%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once back
at the lake we reconvened before practising some more micro-nav. This time we
went off the path over, you’ve guessed it, more mud. When Dan and I carried out
our micro-nav, practising the navigational art of leap-frogging 100 m at a time,
the mud did prove quite entertaining. Dan slipped straight down before our eyes
ending up with a spectacularly muddy bum! I couldn’t laugh for too long though
– the next morning the same happened to me!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The walk
held one more surprise for us after traversing the muddy fields. We descended
down some more rocks and found ourselves surrounded by sheer rock on both
sides, and behind us a lovely little pond. It was spectacular, and almost
cathedral like! Then, after hopping over a stile, as suddenly as we had
discovered it we left it and were back at the car park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JATUTonrRWc/VxD26rHMJ4I/AAAAAAAAAZA/BeIR1l9lMk8D2Hkuz0U1Yo-Kz8NpQvEUwCKgB/s1600/Day%2B3%2B6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JATUTonrRWc/VxD26rHMJ4I/AAAAAAAAAZA/BeIR1l9lMk8D2Hkuz0U1Yo-Kz8NpQvEUwCKgB/s320/Day%2B3%2B6.png" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our day
wasn’t over yet though - when we got back to the bunkhouse it was time for
packing and some more theory before a lovely dinner of sweet and sour pork.
After dinner we relaxed in the lounge, not quite believing that tonight was the
last night of Grade 3. It had all gone very quickly!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Louisa Cox</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<h3>
To be continued...</h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-52944437794997320722016-03-15T22:39:00.001+00:002018-10-01T22:53:59.498+01:00Reflections<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
Ramsoc. University of Nottingham Sport:
Rambling and Hillwalking. Formerly Rambling and Hillwalking Society and before
that: Rambling Society. So far you’ve learnt – if you didn’t know already – how
the club came to acquire its name. But for me, to pose the question ‘what’s in
a name?’ with regard to Ramsoc reveals
so much more than a few rebrands, be they initiated by the club itself or the
Students’ Union, and I’d like to explore this and reflect on what Ramsoc means
to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
I first joined the club as first year
back in September 2012. Prior to starting university, I - like thousands of
other sixth-form leavers fresh out of Year 13 - was extremely apprehensive and
nervous about starting my degree, moving away from home and building a social
life. Granted, I didn’t move far from home, but the University of Nottingham
felt like a world apart from the small town I grew up in, grew tired of by my
mid-teens but sometime grew to appreciate more after moving away. For a large
part of my life, I never really knew where I fitted in and only began to grow
in confidence towards the end of my school career. No wonder I was nervous
about starting from scratch in a strange environment where I wouldn’t know a
soul.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
I can vividly remember browsing the
Students’ Union website in January during my final year of school – chances are
I was procrastinating from coursework. On the main page I could see a column
listing upcoming events and it struck me that there was a club that ran walking
trips. If you know me well, my rather freakish memory for detail will be very
familiar to you by now; the walk destination was the Manifold Valley, and the
date was 29<sup>th</sup> January 2012, which naturally was a Sunday, like all
Ramsoc walks. Growing up in Derbyshire, walking was by no means an alien activity
to me, and despite my reluctance to go on walks as a child (remedied by my
dad’s decision to buy me a GPS for Christmas in 2005 and introduce me to
Geocaching), I knew that it was something I could happily get into again. I
didn’t realise it at the time, but I can retrospectively see that that evening
four years and two months ago would be the start of my relationship with the
club. However, I forgot about it for the time being and focussed on my
A-Levels. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
Seven months later I got up on a Thursday
morning, logged into UCAS Track and found that my place at the University of
Nottingham had been confirmed (to use their words). I was delighted – my hard
work had paid off and I would be off to study the course I wanted to do at
world-class university. The world was my oyster. At that point, I started
thinking again about the sorts of activities I would get involved in at
university. I told my dad that I’d seen Ramsoc on the SU website and I quickly
realised that joining the club was – to use a cliché – a no brainer. I’d meet
people with the same interests as me and have the opportunity to see the UK
beyond Nottingham. The fact that I’d be venturing near to my hometown every
weekend was immaterial. Ironically perhaps, I didn’t actually go home at all in
my very first semester. I purchased some cheap walking boots – at this point
unsure whether I’d enjoy it. I had high hopes for Ramsoc but even my naive
eighteen-year-old self knew deep down
that sometimes things don’t always work out as hoped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fortunately, my hopes were fulfilled. I
moved into my room on campus, said hello to my flatmates and went to countless
meetings during my first week as I sought to find my feet in this new,
unfamiliar setting. I took a gander down to Freshers’ Fair to meet the people
running the societies I had joined (online, naturally – following advice from
my older cousins). The committee members didn’t really have to persuade me as I
was already pretty much sold, but I suppose that was testament to the
effectiveness of their marketing strategy! I enjoyed the first social event and
the first walk and quickly became an enthusiastic member. Though one Wednesday
evening in October when I could have been with Ramsoc, I had decided to go out
with the people in my block (even today I’m too embarrassed to describe it)
which I regretted, but from that point on I knew for certain where I wanted to
spend my time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
My first year in Ramsoc was full of
memorable moments: seemingly by chance meeting a girl on the Portland steps who
would later become one of my closest friends, singing songs with questionable
lyrical content on the coach on the way back from Snowdonia and a bonfire party
involving a mining cart that had been acquired under rather dubious circumstances
which I won’t talk about here. There are many more I could list if I had the
time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
From very early on, I had been keen to
give something back to the club that had done so much for me, so I jumped at the
chance to take part in the Grade 2 leadership training. To some people of sound
mind, spending an entire day on the hills around Edale may not sound like much
fun, and I wasn’t sure myself what it would be like. I had a tremendous amount
of fun and felt that I had really learnt a lot. My leadership experience at
that point was virtually non-existent, so it was a huge learning curve. I’m
proud to say I persevered and went on to become, if I may so myself, a
competent Grade 2 leader, which I regard as one of the best decisions I’ve ever
made. Not only did I grow in confidence with my leadership skills, but I felt
that I was giving back to a club close to my heart. I did admittedly have quite
a spectacular mishap on one walk in my second year which at the time was quite
upsetting and humiliating, though I must give due credit to my friends for
their support, and I learned from my mistake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
My enthusiasm didn’t stop there: I stood
for election to committee at the AGM (precisely three years and one day ago, at
the time of writing) and became the club’s Equipment Officer. As a first year,
it was a bit intimidating to take on a position of responsibility, especially
given how formidable I’d perceived the previous committee (headed by Tom Howe)
to be. I felt I had much to prove and worked hard, keen to impress my committee
colleagues and older members of the club. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
My first tenure on committee was a
challenging, interesting and rewarding experience. Inevitably, disagreements
occasionally occurred, but I immensely enjoyed contributing to the running of
the club and working with my friends on something that I was passionate about.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of that year was the celebration held at the Albert
Hall Conference Centre to mark the club’s eightieth anniversary, which was a
resounding successful event that attracted members of the club past and present
– some of whom had served on committee as far back as the 1970s! It was
heartening to see how special Ramsoc had been to some people and I was proud to
have contributed to what later won the Event of the Year award – richly
deserved in my (not biased at all…) opinion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
Before I started my course, I knew that
I would be spending the third year of my course in Germany, so of course I
wasn’t surprised at having to organise it during my second year. However, as
the year drew on, it hit me more and more that I would have to leave my social
life in Nottingham behind for a year and build up a new social network in a
foreign country. If I’d been daunted by the prospect of moving to Nottingham, I
was certainly in for a shock when I moved abroad. I did my best to reassure
myself that all would be fine and that I’d find friends when I moved to
Germany. As for Ramsoc, I knew that it wouldn’t be farewell forever, so why
should I be so worried? Above everything else, I knew that I’d miss everyone terribly,
which I certainly did – merely thinking about it makes me want to well up. I
won’t talk too much here about my year abroad
as I’ve covered that in a personal blog, but all I’ll say is that
despite my efforts, it didn’t go as well as I’d hoped and I never managed to
find a good group of friends I could really trust and rely on. It made me
realise just how special Ramsoc was to me, and I couldn’t wait to be reunited
with the club.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
I therefore stood for the Vice
Presidency of the club while I was still in Germany and was elected in
absentia. Claire, the then Ramble Secretary, proposed me for the position and
read out my speech, which I’m told was well received. I was back on committee
and didn’t know most of my new colleagues, though I had been assured that all
were a fantastic, competent group of people. I returned from Germany at the end
of May and attended the Summer BBQ a few weeks later – surprising many people
who had never met me, or not seen me for an entire year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
I took up my new position in earnest
over the summer prior to beginning my final year. It was a big change to be one
of the longer-serving members of the club on committee, though of course I
never regarded my knowledge as superior to that of my colleagues. I’m pleased
to say that I’ve enjoyed serving as Vice President and using my previous
experience on committee to support my colleagues. In a way, it was nice to have
variety in my role as well as the liberty to support my committee as and when
required – this was very different to the set role profile I’d had as Equipment
Officer. If I’m being completely candid, this year hasn’t been quite the same as
my first two years in the club. Of course, I couldn’t expect that an
organisation as long-lasting like Ramsoc would stagnate, but then I suppose
it’s only human to feel that way. On a more positive note, I am privileged to
have worked with some great people and to welcome new members to the club who
will shape its future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
Are you still with me? Good – I should
be finished soon, sorry it’s been such a long post. At the time of writing the
club has just had its latest AGM where a new committee have been elected, and
the outgoing committee are due to hand over the reins any day now. It’s
encouraging to see that Ramsoc – not your ‘typical’ student club (note the
inverted commas) – is going strong and that there are a brilliant group of
people who are willing to give up their time to drive it forward. I have every
confidence that they will do a stellar job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
So how would I sum up my experience with
Ramsoc? Well, that would be an impossible task – just look at the length of
this post. Ok, I’ll try: this fantastic (running out of adjectives here) club
has been an enormous part of my life and it has done as much as my course to
provide me with experiences that will stay with me forever (sometimes clichés
say it best). I’ve made the most amazing friends and have accumulated a wealth
of unforgettable memories. My relationship with the club is by no means over –
in fact, I’ll remember it as one of the defining influences on my youth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
But to conclude this post, I just want
to say one thing. To the older members who shaped my initial experiences with
the club; to the outgoing and incoming committee members and of course everyone
who has made Ramsoc what is over its eighty-two-year lifespan: thank you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
By Patrick Hardern<o:p></o:p></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-15539191773585163452016-03-10T20:08:00.004+00:002018-10-01T22:53:36.184+01:00Progressive Meal<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I usually don’t go to Ramsoc socials as they clash with my
kayaking pool sessions, but anything involving food is worth my time!
Especially if I can show off my amazing cooking skills, as I wanted to cook for
Ramsoc since the last weekend away I went on. So I said goodbye to kayak and
prepared myself for a night delicious food and great fun.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I immediately decided to prepare a mushroom risotto, which is one
of my best dishes (my housemates can support this!). I wanted to honour my
Italian origins with this amazing recipe I found on the internet (I wish I
could say it’s from my granddad but all he taught me so far is how to make
pasta and it’s very, very, very long to make...).</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">My Wednesday was really busy as I spent the day running from a
tutorial to a lecture and to archery practice where I spent my afternoon
shooting (a little) and chatting (a lot). As soon as I was home I the sacred <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>process of cooking my amazing risotto; grating the parmesan,
chop the many, many mushrooms, garlic, onions and parsley. Then the most
important part of the cooking process: the rice. It’s all in the dosage because
I have to be cautious not to burn it but we don’t want it too liquid either!</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The cooking process involves a lot stirring and I quickly started
to overheat in front of the stove because of my poor choice of clothes; the
shirt I picked had an enormous amount of fabric in front and was keeping me way
too hot while cooking this bowl of rice! With the noise of the cooking, the
door of the kitchen closed and my intense concentration I didn’t even hear the
doorbell and suddenly Helen appeared in my kitchen! She was quickly followed by
the rest of my guests, Alex, Julia, Adam and Dan. They all sat in the living
room and chatted, but I would be incapable of telling you what about since I
was left alone in the kitchen, finishing my risotto. It was quickly ready
though and they all sat while I decorated my dish with some slices of parmesan
and leaves of parsley (I am indeed a compulsive perfectionist). </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">After this amazing starter (I’m sure we all agree on this), I
revealed the next destinations of my guests and myself. Some of us (me
included) were unlucky enough to have to go all the way to Beeston, so we left
quickly as not to be late for the most exciting part of the evening. I of
course missed the bus and arrived quite late at Adam’s house where I would have
my main. I knocked and was invited in by a mysterious young lady I didn’t know
who showed me the living room. I was removing my coat when suddenly two very
tall men in religious robes appeared in front of me. They greeted me and
disappeared up the stairs, leaving me there wondering if I had entered a priory
by mistake… Miraculously Adam found me before I panicked and quickly reassured
me that I wasn’t in a church, just his housemates hosting a religious debate on
Harry Potter…</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In the living room all the other guests, Patrick, Lee, Claire and
Tom, were already here and had pretty much eaten all the buffet (or was it the
mysterious monks?). Not demotivated in the slightest, I grabbed a plate and
managed to get the left overs of each plate which was more than enough. It was
really tasty, although I couldn’t identify most it… The buffet style allowed
for a more informal and friendly atmosphere, which was totally like Adam. I was
also offered a glass of wine, while Tom and Lee were brave enough to try the
homemade brew, which they swear must have been at least 20% alcohol! They sadly
had to decline Adam’s offer to do the famous beer race, which consists of
running up the stairs to the top floor, down the beer, and run down quickly (I
really wanted to witness that, so disappointing guys!). Before leaving the
house we even got a very special guided tour of the cellar, which is
impressively large and has windows… underground... It’s quite an old house and
Adam thinks that the ground must have been lower a few centuries ago. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I left for my dessert with Lee to Julia’s place, in Broadgate
Park. I must admit I was quite happy Lee knew BP because I never realised how
big it was and didn’t even know there were so many entrances! We had a look at
the map at the gate and I made a fool of myself in front of Lee… my map reading
skills failed me that night and I completely blame it on the wine.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The other Charlotte (or am I the other Charlotte?) arrived at the
same time and James was already there. Julia had prepared an amazingly large
selection of desserts! Chocolate cake with chocolate icing, cheesecake, vanilla
cake, more chocolate cake, another cheesecake with Nutella this time (extra Nutella
allowed!) and even more delicacies that I can’t remember! She also offered us a
large choice of beverages that included rum! I obviously went for the more reasonable
hot chocolate, but with a shot of rum (I swear I am not alcoholic, despite the
mulled wine I take on walks…). It was a great course and I wished my stomach
was larger! I was quite sad to leave, a few more minutes and I my stomach would
have allowed for more cheesecake and Nutella!</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">We all left together for the Malt Shovel Inn were the rest of
Ramsoc was already gathered to have one more pint and share our amazing food
stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">By Charlotte Rossetti </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-8469949871085941832016-02-29T13:52:00.004+00:002018-10-01T22:53:17.950+01:00Walk on the Wild Side<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most impressive things I found when I first
joined RAMSOC was the way the walks were lead, by capable, cheerful leaders who
(almost) always seemed to know where they were going, as well as chat to
everyone in the group to keep even the most reluctant hill-climber going. So,
when the opportunity came up to train to lead walks myself, I couldn’t think of
a better way to give back to the club. </div>
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Our training day began when we arrived in Edale car park,
handing out maps, compasses and headtorches and trying to ignore the persistent
drizzle. We split into two groups with a mix of trainees and experienced
leaders, and set off on different routes up the hill. Our first exercise was
general navigation and also involved using our surroundings to locate
ourselves. One trainee was in charge of map reading, whilst the other two were
banned from looking at their maps and compasses at all, but had to rely on
their memory and powers of observation to re-orientate once we arrived at a new
checkpoint. </div>
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Despite being unsure to start with, we soon got the hand of
picking out where we were based on drystone walls, hills around us and the
direction of the path. The views as we climbed were incredible. </div>
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As the morning wore on, however, the weather sadly didn’t
improve; if anything it worsened as we became more exposed at the top of the
hill. Lunch was eaten sheltering under a rock just below the summit, and I was
very glad I’d remembered to pack a flask of hot tea! We didn’t let the rain
stop us, though, and were soon battling our way over the top, though the wind
was almost strong enough to blow me over! On the other side, all the trainees
having successfully navigated their leg of the journey, we began some
micronavigation, measuring our paces to try to judge the distance to a
particular landmark. It was easy to see why we might have to use micro
navigation in the future, as the visibility was only getting worse! Our route
led us back up the hill to the hollow where we had eaten lunch, and we quickly
put up a bothy to keep the rain out and the warmth in whilst we waited for the
other group. </div>
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Although we had planned a night descent down, unfortunately
it was too cold and wet to stay at the top for long, so the leaders made the
decision to scramble down the rocks earlier than planned. For me, that was the
highlight of the day, jumping and weaving in between the rocks to follow the
river back down to Edale. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our pub for the day was the Old Nag’s Head,
where we had a lovely carvery to warm us up, and a roaring fire to dry our wet
waterproofs and boots. A great end to a challenging, but lovely day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By Fran Francis</span>RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-40587146171291113242016-02-11T16:50:00.005+00:002018-10-01T22:52:54.800+01:00Cliffs, Coasts and Cider: Minehead, Feburary 2016<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello again Ramsoc!</div>
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Our blog series continues and I have taken up the task of
writing about our weekend away to Minehead, in the Exmoor National Park between
5<sup>th</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup> February 2016 (apologies, I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to detail
like that, and I will probably remember it for a long while yet – strange, I
know).</div>
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This weekend took place a mere two weeks after the end of
exam season, so we were naturally all excited to escape Nottingham for a
weekend as a chance to catch our collective breath. I assume the club has
visited Exmoor at least once in the past, but it was only last year that we
started going again. As I was on my year abroad last year, I obviously didn’t
go, so naturally I was enthralled at the prospect of visiting an entirely new
area. There has to be some perk of doing a four-year degree after all. </div>
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My first impressions of Exmoor (months before we went) were
already positive – from the photos I could see it was a beautiful area by the
coast with some dramatic, rugged scenery, possibly enhanced by the delightful
weather conditions. </div>
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Fast-forward the clock twelve months and Ramsoc was off down
South again – I have to say I saw a rather novel aspect of travelling down
South with Ramsoc, having spent most of my weekends away with the club in
Snowdonia and the Lake District and enjoying the delights of both those
national parks (not forgetting overpriced meals at Knutsford Services on the M6
of course – what I regard as an integral part of a weekend away). </div>
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After a nice, smooth journey we arrived at our hostel in
Minehead, which is situated at the top of an unmade track just outside the town
itself – I think awkwardly located hostels have a certain charm, though I’m not
sure whether our drivers would agree with me. We rose the next morning
bright-eyed and enthusiastic (aided by a caffeine injection) and set off on our
walks, ready to explore.</div>
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On the Saturday, I was chosen to assist my colleague Ellie
leading Walk 3. I can’t really put a gloss on the weather conditions we had
that day (they were less than delightful is all I’ll say), but being Ramsoc, we
don’t let that stop us (well, nine times out of ten anyway) and we had a great
walk along a part of the South West Coast Path and thoroughly appreciated the
scenery we were so privileged to see (as much as the wind and rain:
meteorological partners in crime would allow). Our group merged with Walk 4,
led by (former President) Tom and (current President) Richard, and we all
walked back to the minibus – not enamoured by the prospect of negotiating a
main road in such conditions. I must admit I was quite pleased (read: elated)
to see the minibus again, but I will concede that Ramsoc wouldn’t be quite the
same if every day were clear, still, and dry. After all, there is no such thing
as bad weather, just inadequate clothing (just throwing a random quote in there
– I’m not an undercover Cotswold Outdoor employee trying to increase sales
through psychological manipulation – or that’s what you think at least…)</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>We spent the evening by the fire, chatting and singing songs
(there wasn’t actually singing but I thought the image sounded rather nice) and
enjoyed some well-deserved cider – fitting given that we were in a large
cider-producing county: a convenient excused if ever there were one (psst…I’ve
just seen that my cider wasn’t actually from Somerset, so shhh!).</div>
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The Sunday morning saw us up and away again, not willing to
concede defeat to the British weather so quickly. Fortunately, it was somewhat
kinder today, which made for a great walk skilfully led by Nastia (the woman
behind our mascot Ram’s excellent hoodie – see our Facebook page for a photo)
with veteran members Richard (Wallis) and Sarah (Day) also present. The better
weather conditions helped do justice to some of the magnificent spectacles
(thank you online thesaurus for that synonym for scenery) of the North Devon
Coast as well as an interesting Roman fort a bit of history is always a nice
touch. We concluded our walk with a quick drink in a rather upmarket (that’s an
under exaggeration: they had three peacocks roaming around on the terrace,
which was rather strange). </div>
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After that, we set off back to Nottingham, happy to have
sampled the delights of Exmoor with the added sense of achievement that came
from battling the elements. Credit for this is due to leaders, drivers, first
aiders and committee members and of course all participants on the trip for
making this all possible – you really are a credit to the club.</div>
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While I’m here, I’ll take the opportunity just to say that
we’ll be away again from 4<sup>th</sup> – 6th<sup> </sup>March in the Lake District for our next weekend
away. That’s Friday 4<sup>th</sup> March to Sunday 6<sup>th</sup> March – got
it? I bet you’re tempted already…</div>
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In the meantime, don’t miss our weekly Sunday walks to the
Peak District!</div>
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For now, I will sign off as I have maybe rambled on a bit
(pun not originally intended, but now completely intended), so I look forward
to seeing you on one of our trips soon.</div>
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Thank you for reading,</div>
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Patrick</div>
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Vice President</div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-52456339215910379462015-12-27T23:22:00.004+00:002018-10-01T22:52:37.173+01:00A little bit of rain doesn't stop us...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“Well, so that’s where all the lakes of the Lake District
come from!” For most of our Ramsoc walks, we’re very lucky – this year we’ve
had sunshine, blue skies, and mild weather. Charlotte’s October weekend were
tales of lovely weather in Snowdonia. Unfortunately, our luck couldn’t last!</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With the remnants of Hurricane Abigail echoing
on the minibus radio as we headed into the North, there was a sense of
trepidation. For forecasted was rain, and lots of it. Not just a lot. Buckets
worth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A little fall of rain, however, doesn’t stop us! After
cosying up in the lovely YHA Hawkshead Courtyard and falling asleep to the
sound of rain (we didn’t stop hearing it all weekend), we arose bright and
early for a day of walking! I was one of the leaders and was being assessed,
and we were climbing some of the Langdales – beautiful peaks in the centre of
the Lake District. The climb wasn’t too arduous, yet with the clouds lapping at
our boots, we knew we were getting high. </span></div>
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Our assessment went well, whilst we were a little nervous at times the walk
went just fine, and we’ll blame the slight navigational hiccups on the poor
visibility, both in front of us and on our glasses! After climbing to the
summit, we made our descent, savouring in the wildness and admittedly wet
beauty of the Lake District. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After finishing a lovely day out on the hills, we returned,
some of us very damp by this point, to our cosy hostel. This weekend, I had the
pleasure of being cooked for, so I sat back and enjoyed a delicious chicken pie,
followed by more pie for dessert! After enjoying some wine, chatting and
laughing with everyone, I turned in for the night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The next morning, the rain hadn’t disappeared. Far from it;
if anything, it seemed to be even heavier! Last night, we’d made plans of
heading over to the Coniston Fells, and we set off with high hopes for a day on
the hills. Storm Abigail, however, had different plans! Our convoy set off
across country lanes to Coniston, but water was in our way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The first time was a surprise. The second, quite funny. By
the third and fourth, we knew we wouldn’t reach Coniston; our destined fells
were out of reach. But we’re walkers – we don’t just give up there! Instead,
most of us set off for a bimble around Lake Windermere. We couldn’t escape the
rain, but we still had a wonderful time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Richard Hancock, Pre</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">sident</span></span>RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-90986967790676377642015-11-02T13:37:00.002+00:002018-10-01T22:52:14.115+01:00Ramsoc goes to Snowdonia!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On a Friday afternoon, tired from
a week of lectures, we bundled on to the coach. The cooks brought their
delicious cakes, ingredients and dishes they had prepared. Soon the night
arrived and we were nodding off. I was jealous of those that had pillows! We
arrived late and it was inviting for everyone to see what looked more like a
house than a hostel. By midnight the
hostel was quiet and everyone was getting rest for the next day of hiking. </div>
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Saturday morning we awakened to a
lovely blue sky, fresh air and we were all really excited to get walking! I
chose a walk 2, where we walked up Snowdon from a slightly higher point. There were also other walks and scrambles for
the more adventurous. The walk started off gentle, but we were soon faced with
larger and larger rocks. The views were outstanding and everyone was stopping
to take photos.<br />
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As we got in to the walk, the air was getting misty and it was
getting colder, on with the layers! We were given an option to keep on going or
we could stop and go back. But, we would have to reach a point by a certain
time if we wanted to carry on. We soon walked faster when we heard that! I felt
so courageous and then a five year old would run past, yep… ok… go me! Anyway,
we reached the top and were all elated. We stopped for lunch and took in all
the views. Breath taking <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> <br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->The only problem with going up is having
to go back down. I wanted a slide, like they have in Switzerland. Oh well. Our
thighs were like stone when we had reached the bottom, well mine certainly
were! We then met another walk group and chatted all the way back to the coach.
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Everyone was
tired on the way back to the hostel, but thankfully we had some amazing Ramsoc cooks
who conjured up some tasty dishes. We all warmed up and spent the evening
playing card games, going to the pub and snuggling by the fire. </div>
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The problem with
these weekends is that they always go so fast! It was Sunday in no time, but
today I decided to go on a gentler walk. This walk was beautiful with
waterfalls and rivers. I met some new friends and we had philosophical
conversations (students…), taking in our surroundings.<br />
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Unfortunately the pub
was closed, but in Ramsoc, there is always a silver lining, so we found a
nearby shop and the kind lady from there made us hot drinks and microwave meals!!
As the evening came to a close, the coach arrived and we bundled back on for
the long journey back. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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Shoes off, not
smelling great, I flopped on the sofa. Back to lectures and normality, I missed
Snowdon already. <br />
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By Charlotte Dore (Admin Sec)</div>
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RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-75858840814406749702015-10-21T10:41:00.001+01:002018-10-01T22:51:44.948+01:00Selfies with strangers, alternative modes of transport and questionable dancing...<div dir="ltr">
RAMSOC isn't just about Rambling and Hillwalking, we're a very friendly bunch of people and so love a good social! A few Wednesday's ago we met at Portland, armed with cameras and phones and a strange list of things we needed to take pictures of before being split into teams ready to take part in our much loved photo scavenger hunt! <br />
The race was on between mine, Patrick and Richard's teams to take pictures of as many of the things on the list as we could before Trent clock struck 8'O Clock, while making them as funny and creative as possible! <br />
We all had a lot of fun running around campus and using the scavenger hunt as an excuse to act like big children! <br />
Once the time was up we all met back in Mooch, ready for Andy and Helen to judge the categories and announce that the overall winner was Patrick's team, with the most pictures to raise a laugh! But there was a lot of funny pictures from all teams, here is just a few...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFAYfbjX-Jk/Vidc7ShpaOI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/EBAGr96yjzI/s1600/A%2Bfully%2Bkitted%2Bout%2Brambler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFAYfbjX-Jk/Vidc7ShpaOI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/EBAGr96yjzI/s320/A%2Bfully%2Bkitted%2Bout%2Brambler.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fully kitted out Rambler (bonus points for things on backwards)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n23wI_f3rAc/Vidc7aR6aVI/AAAAAAAAAUU/DPIhMaMKG0o/s1600/An%2Balternative%2Bmode%2Bof%2Btransport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n23wI_f3rAc/Vidc7aR6aVI/AAAAAAAAAUU/DPIhMaMKG0o/s320/An%2Balternative%2Bmode%2Bof%2Btransport.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An alternative mode of transport</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpgCDffXvCI/Vidc7UcbkSI/AAAAAAAAAUM/tCwA5D6oNM0/s1600/An%2Bencounter%2Bwith%2Bwildlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpgCDffXvCI/Vidc7UcbkSI/AAAAAAAAAUM/tCwA5D6oNM0/s320/An%2Bencounter%2Bwith%2Bwildlife.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An encounter with wildlife</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UiaCwsQZDY/Vidc8F7McTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/Udu90-u6HSE/s1600/Animal%2Bimpressions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UiaCwsQZDY/Vidc8F7McTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/Udu90-u6HSE/s320/Animal%2Bimpressions.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal impressions (It's meant to be a peacock!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRFgMzkJqi8/Vidc8BZna3I/AAAAAAAAAUo/ywUB5YBNE6s/s1600/Dance%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRFgMzkJqi8/Vidc8BZna3I/AAAAAAAAAUo/ywUB5YBNE6s/s320/Dance%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DANCE!</td></tr>
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Ellie- Publicity Officer</div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-75478617552626746532015-10-01T12:07:00.001+01:002018-10-01T22:51:21.813+01:00Sunshine, Castles, Paragliders and the Great Ridge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca6b80d2-1e50-e50e-c676-f41304e32e70" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By Helen McGhee</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.66px;">So it’s a new academic year and with that come new and exciting faces to Ramsoc. “So what was the first walk of the year like” I hear you cry! Well … sunny! Yeah I know right!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px;">So Sunday saw us set off for Castleton on a foggy and slightly chilly morning. Naturally, I looked out my window and thought ‘Layers. Lot of Layers’. So I donned the leggings under my tracksuit bottoms slipped into my fleece. The hot squash flasks were filled to the brim as they would during summer and I set off to Lincoln hall car park. Since the marathon had messed with our normal drop off route there was a lot of people already there. A surprise since I deliberately got there 15 mins early. I thought people would appreciate a committee member to greet all the new faces. It was slightly creepy seeing everyone gather from out of the mists like a scene out of a ghost story. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1zb-rdZL2bI/Vg0SuBN7zNI/AAAAAAAAATo/CMW8zJBg7JE/s1600/11219587_10153366610624678_4766291805182824985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1zb-rdZL2bI/Vg0SuBN7zNI/AAAAAAAAATo/CMW8zJBg7JE/s320/11219587_10153366610624678_4766291805182824985_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So when we finally got everyone on board, everyone was so excited that our Ramble Sec Alex was kept on his toes; questions flying left right and center about the routes. When we finally arrived we were greeted by a glorious sunny day and by the time I had set off I was ditching the fleece! Sadly, it was too late to get rid of the double leg layers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dR3lY1FX54c/Vg0Su2FecwI/AAAAAAAAATw/u64yxReS5to/s1600/12038503_10153366611314678_2077327767353587666_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dR3lY1FX54c/Vg0Su2FecwI/AAAAAAAAATw/u64yxReS5to/s320/12038503_10153366611314678_2077327767353587666_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was put on route 4: a route for the more experienced walkers in Ramsoc. For those of you under the impression that being on the committee immediately means we are as fit as a butcher’s dog, I certainly don’t fit into that category! This was my first walk since the weekend away last June and I had pretty much sat on my bum doing nothing all summer (it’s my last summer as a student! I’m allowed) so let’s just say a route four was a bit of a challenge for me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Route 4 started with an ascent to the northern tip of The Great Ridge. Most of my group were like little mountain goats trotting up the hill as if it was nothing while I dragged myself huffing and puffing up the hill trying not to die. Ok I’m exaggerating A LOT but I was very unfit and was the one who slowed the pace … I totally did it to make the newbies feel good about themselves. Ok I didn’t but I’ll tell myself that to make myself feel better instead. Andy, the other leader even pushed me up the hill at one point LOL.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1ECCeX9sD0/Vg0SuJ4d9XI/AAAAAAAAASY/4zVN1eXMM4M/s1600/12022458_10153366611144678_4512173065892622840_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1ECCeX9sD0/Vg0SuJ4d9XI/AAAAAAAAASY/4zVN1eXMM4M/s320/12022458_10153366611144678_4512173065892622840_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTbQfRgqESs/Vg0SuwiXyCI/AAAAAAAAASg/fVNI_QR7xTQ/s1600/12030389_10153366610549678_9083165531837467313_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTbQfRgqESs/Vg0SuwiXyCI/AAAAAAAAASg/fVNI_QR7xTQ/s320/12030389_10153366610549678_9083165531837467313_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once at the top, (and once I had caught my breath and stocked up on sugar from sweets and a snickers), we got a wonderful view of the surrounding valleys. Having lunch on top of the Great ridge was a particularly special treat since the steep cliffs that form the ridge making you really appreciate how high you are. This was made all the better by the wonderful company we had. Since it was a good mix of young freshers, old freshers and New Ramsocers from other academic years the conversation and laughter was flowing nicely. I even joined in when I caught my breath.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6r_1UNfZaQ/Vg0Suvp10rI/AAAAAAAAATg/ngpBp5-sjPU/s1600/12027279_10153366614054678_2775024977827562211_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6r_1UNfZaQ/Vg0Suvp10rI/AAAAAAAAATg/ngpBp5-sjPU/s320/12027279_10153366614054678_2775024977827562211_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1JED4dF4T4/Vg0SwbDISWI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nhpDKDtvY-Q/s1600/12046661_10153366610714678_3636201246163399149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1JED4dF4T4/Vg0SwbDISWI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nhpDKDtvY-Q/s320/12046661_10153366610714678_3636201246163399149_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The walk along the ridge was nothing short of beautiful and thankfully gave me a break from the upward gradients for a bit. The air was filled with para gliders which were gliding off Mam Tor which made it busy but gave it a bit of a festival feel with all the activity and colours going on. The walk continued round to return back to Castleton via the Limestone Way which led us all to a dramatic gorge with beautiful views of the castle which the village takes its name. By this time, three of the four walks had joined which made us look like a mass exodus from the hills which a bemused elderly pair watched pass for a long time.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZwrAcniWG8/Vg0SxCQBGCI/AAAAAAAAATc/bqxLLXw2fz4/s1600/12072774_10153366611884678_7916147252694372320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZwrAcniWG8/Vg0SxCQBGCI/AAAAAAAAATc/bqxLLXw2fz4/s320/12072774_10153366611884678_7916147252694372320_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORyeljWuahI/Vg0SwjB4NMI/AAAAAAAAATU/DlbTaamn4IM/s1600/12052343_10153366612054678_5798736928338339874_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORyeljWuahI/Vg0SwjB4NMI/AAAAAAAAATU/DlbTaamn4IM/s320/12052343_10153366612054678_5798736928338339874_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The walk ended in the customary pub. Where we chilled in the beer garden waiting for route 3 to return. Sunshine, beer, coke and friends. The only thing that was missing was a BBQ and we could have pretended it was summer. We did discover that Leeds uni Hiking club were also gathering in the pub which did make it a bit awkward when a group from Leeds thought we were their club. We didn’t judge too much although Ram did whisper to one of the committee that he thought that their mascot was not nearly so handsome and keen to be in the Peak District as him.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I can safely say that first walk of the year was one of the better ones I’ve been on with Ramsoc and went off without a hitch. Although my misjudgment of the weather has resulted in a bit of a red and sore back for me. Lesson learnt: Even when dying trying to keep up with your group always apply sun cream in sunny weather. LOL! Anyway, For those that have missed out this time. I’m looking forward to seeing you at Hathersage. Hopefully this time I will be less of an unfit wreck climbing those hills. </span><br />
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RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-91740562336369596412015-08-16T12:36:00.000+01:002018-10-01T22:50:55.364+01:00Summer Weekend<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To celebrate another brilliant year for Ramsoc a very
excited group of ramblers headed to the Lake District for our annual summer
weekend away, to enjoy a wonderful few days of hills, lakes, mountains,
stunning scenery and the hope of some sunshine! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As always we had a selection of walks on offer on the
Saturday, ranging from a bimble around the local countryside, to taking on the
challenge of scrambling on Blencathra. Those of us that chose the pretty
countryside bimble certainly had a wonderfully relaxing day, taking in the
beautiful scenery and wildlife (may be more than we anticipated, due to an ever
so slight navigational issue) and enjoying a lovely mid afternoon cup of tea
(with free cake!), in a nice little tea room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriving back at the hostel it was clear everyone else had
an equally brilliant day exploring the Lake District and were ready to finish
the day off perfectly with lots of barbequed food, plenty of drinks and some
wonderful desserts! A brilliant evening was had by Ramsoc members old and new,
our mascot Ram also had a wonderful time, making a new friend, Borrowdale Bear!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIJXFymQXHo/VdBz_5G0hsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/gA3NYgUCRqE/s1600/11210420_10152735076075904_2209354702191990468_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIJXFymQXHo/VdBz_5G0hsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/gA3NYgUCRqE/s320/11210420_10152735076075904_2209354702191990468_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bright and early on Sunday morning, after a comfortable
night in a brilliant hostel everyone piled onto the minibuses, some a little
worse for wear, ready for another day out on the hills. This time I decided to
tackle a walk that was a little more challenging and opted for climbing
Hellvelyn, including a scramble along Striding Edge. The ascent up to the edge was
pretty long and quite wet, due to us walking in the clouds, but after a lunch
stop we were all ready and raring to tackle Striding Edge. By the time were
actually scrambling I think most of us were quite glad of the low cloud, as
much as I’m sure the view would have been incredible, I think it would have
made the whole thing a lot more terrifying, I already felt a little bit like I
was part of the Lord of the Rings, on an epic quest! I was quite happy being
blissfully unaware of how high up we really were!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A quick rest and refuel and some pictures were taken at the
summit (or what we thought was the summit), before we quickly headed back down
into the town, this time via Swirral Edge. By this point we were all expert
scramblers and made it down in no time! Walking back down the path we had
ascended on that morning, we were treated to the first view of what was
actually around us, the beautiful scenery and the chance to actually dry out a
bit cheered us all up for the final few kilometres back to the minibus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only thing left was the long minibus ride back to
Nottingham, happily exhausted after a wonderful weekend away! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ellie-Publicity Officer</span></div>
RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049488369612968775.post-58599534326583893152015-08-16T12:14:00.001+01:002018-10-01T22:50:27.839+01:00Dark Peak Marathon <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">On Saturday 6</span><sup style="font-size: 10pt;">th</sup><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
June, at ridiculous </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">o'clock</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> in the morning, a minibus and 2 cars full of intrepid
ramblers set off from Nottingham, ready to face a massive challenge- the Dark Peak
Marathon (DPM)! The 14 brave ramblers had a 24 or 37 mile walk around the
wonderful Peak District ahead of them, with the first challenge of the day
being Win Hill. The steepness took a few people by surprise and definitely woke
everyone up for the day ahead!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Meanwhile, the marshals, not
facing the same enormous challenge, made their way to their marshal points. I
started the day with a lovely early morning stroll up Jacobs Ladder, followed
by a very windy few hours sat at the Edale Cross checkpoint, behind the only 2
metres of wall that provided shelter from the rather gusty weather! Eventually
walkers (and runners) started to appear, with tales to tell of the steep start
and the dreaded Brown Knoll, described by one particularly incensed walker as
“a new kind of hell!”- some tackled it with a little more success than others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">With our first job over and
with the walkers, still mostly in very good spirits, well on their way over
Kinder Scout and onto Snake Path, we found our way back down Jacobs Ladder to the
car that was waiting for us, feeling like it was a lot further away than when
we had left it at 8am. However, we </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">couldn't</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> really complain, we had walked a
grand total of 7km! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As the day wore on the
participants were starting to realise the enormity of the challenge, while the
marshals enjoyed the day drinking enormous amounts of tea (or wishing they were
because they </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">didn't</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> have any matches to light their stove!) But with a huge
amount of will power and some encouragement and helpful biscuits from the
marshals the walkers on the short(er) walk of 24 miles started to come into
their finish point at Fairholmes, greeted by Andy Pickup, who was at this point
very much in need of some company!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the challenge had only
really just began for the remaining brave walkers who were taking on the 37
miles, even though Callow and Adam made it all seem like a walk in the park and
were back to the finish point in Hathersage in a ridiculously quick time, ready
to enjoy a relaxing evening in the pub! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the final checkpoint, with
only 6 miles to go everyone mainly seemed in perfectly good spirits and were
more awake than Richard and myself! Sitting in a car all afternoon eating
biscuits, playing cards and watching BBC iplayer is exhausting work! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Eventually, after a very
tough last 6 miles for some, everyone was reunited at the pub to enjoy some
good food before the final, very tiring, journey back to Nottingham.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone, marshals and walkers alike, had a
brilliant day enjoying the wonderful Peak District (some may not have realised
it at the time however) and the DPM was a huge success for another year! Thank
you to everyone that took part and to those who made the day possible, I’m
already looking forward to next year! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ellie- Publicity Officer</span></span>RAMSOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833394674291706231noreply@blogger.com0