It's a groovy 1970's disco weekend baby!!!!!
20 people attending
4 places left
EVENT UPDATE 21 December - Due to the bedding arrangements at Darsham Centre, we are allowed a maximum of 24 attendees. If the event is full and you choose to waitlist, the only way you will be able to attend will be if someone cancels.
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Led Zeppelin, the original Rocket Man Elton John, The Clash, David Bowie, Mott the Hoople and all the greats of the 1970's will be reborn for this groovy weekend! Bringing back prog, glam, punk, British folk and pub rock will be the focus so break out the bell bottom jeans (or velvet trousers) and silk shirts and get ready to hit the disco floor!!
After quite an absence we return to the quaint Darsham Country Centre, which was once voted the best ODL hostel! The former rail station and stationmaster's house serves as our base for this "all 70's" weekend.
The weekend plans are:
- Friday - plan on arriving after 16:00, find a bed, get settled in and enjoy the traditional OutdoorLads Friday buffet. Think along the lines of the weekend theme - cheese balls, Spam, salmon loaf, and Angel delight!! This will be one time where quiche will be welcomed (although not in an over-abundance please!!!).
- Saturday - after a hearty breakfast we will look at several walk options, including this 12km "Remains of Greyfriars Loop" from Westleton or this 13km Leiston Abbey loop from Middleton.
- Dinner tonight will continue the weekend's theme with a number of "delicacies" of the decade.
- After dinner we can debate which of the incredible movies that came out in the 70's to watch - "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Jaws", "The Godfather", "Star Wars: Episode IV", "Deliverance" and "Harold and Maude" are just of few of the greats.
- Sunday - As we need to vacate the hostel by 10.00, breakfast will be "quick and easy". Depending on how we all feel there may be another short walk or a trip to a roller rink in Bury St Edmunds to continue the weekend theme; if not we will all pitch in, clean up the hostel and then we are free to head our separate ways.
The Centre consists of 7 bedrooms, 2 of which are located on the ground floor (along with all public areas). Rooms 1 and 2 sleep 1 person each, Rooms 3 and 4 sleep 5 each, Rooms 6 and 7 sleep 4 each; washrooms and toilets are located on both floors. There is also a large private garden to the rear of the building. There are no double beds and I will be trying to only assign rooms for any dogs that attend. I will provide a sleeping / bedroom plan closer to the event. Please note that Darsham is an active rail station and the Centre sits right on the edge of Platform 2 (this makes it REALLY easy to get here!!!!)
This is also a dog-friendly weekend, with a maximum of two well-behaved furry friends; please email support@outdoorlads.com to register your space. Of course we also have this Telegram chat! We also love a good carpool so take a look here for details!!
OUTDOORLADS FOUNDATION Fancy coming along but having a difficult time of it (for whatever reason), and/or finding it hard to justify the expense? Apply for a place on this event through the OutdoorLads Foundation! Nobody apart from staff members will know and we don't need lots of financial info from you either. To apply through the Foundation, you'll need to complete a very short form, which can be found along with more information here.
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Should you have any questions please email the leader on chris.keivit@outdoorlads.com.
Photos: are courtesy of unsplash and used with permission and thanks!
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
What to bring
Bedding is provided, but you will need your own towel, and of course clothing, wash kit etc for the weekend.
Should you need any of the items below, remember that ODL members get discounts at Cotswold Outdoors, Snow + Rock and Berghaus
Boots: All hikes should be suitable for both hiking boots and mid-ankle hiking shoes. Waterproof and breathable are the best options (Craghoppers Mens Kiwi Light and Abbeydale Mid are good entry-level options from Cotswold).
Socks: Merino wool socks provide the best moisture-wicking and Craghoppers provide a number of affordable "quick-dry" options.
Gaiters: Gaiters can be an essential piece of kit in boggy, wet conditions, but shouldn't be needed this weekend.
Walking Trousers: Both Craghoppers and Jack Wolfskin make several styles of affordable walking trousers. The best pair would have a large map pocket, as well as other zippable pockets and should be water-repellent.
Waterproof Trousers: As above, Craghoppers, Jack Wolfskin and Mountain Warehouse all stock an excellent selection of waterproof trousers. It is recommended that you have a pair as the weather could change quickly.
Base Layer: A breathable base layer should be chosen in order to let sweat escape from the body. This could be a cheaper sports top or you could go top of the range with a merino top, as cotton t-shirts can become damp and uncomfortable when hiking in mid-February!
Other Layers: On top of your base layer, you can have a variety of options such as a micro fleece, a fleece jacket or a rugby/sports top can sometimes be good. Having one or two additional layers gives you flexibility when the weather is changeable – the more layers, the more flexible you can be in adapting to the weather.
Waterproof Jacket: Good waterproof jackets can range from £30 to over £300! At a minimum, the jacket should have fully taped seams, an adjustable hem, elastic cuffs and at least 1 inside pocket.
Hat: As most heat is lost through the head a good hat is essential Because we are near the coast in mid-February, something to cover ears is strongly recommended.
Rucksack: For day walks a 20-30 litre capacity rucksack should be sufficient for carrying the essentials. Ideally it should have padded waist straps, several outside pockets and a rain cover.
Map & Compass: If you want to learn to be a leader or you just like to know where you are, then you can bring a map that covers the area - OS Map 231 is the best for the area. It is best to bring your map either in a map case or purchase maps which are waterproof.
Food & drink
All dietary requirements will be catered for; once everyone has signed up I will work on finalising the menu for the weekend!
Friday night buffet: Please bring one item for the buffet that can be shared easily. There is a small Budgens across from the Centre and a Londis in Yoxford (5 minute drive); Waitrose and Tesco are both in Saxmundham which is about a 15 minute drive. If you are unsure what others are thinking of bringing, then please use the comments section below or the Telegram channel.
Saturday breakfast is of course included in the cost of the event and will celebrate the decade. There will also be cereal, oatmeal, bacon, sausage and juices.
Saturday lunch: You will need to bring lunch from the hostel, or a quick pit stop can be made into any of the local shops. Depending on the walk routes there may be pub stops along the way.
Saturday dinner: Included in the event cost this will be a '70's extravaganza!!!
Sunday breakfast: Included in the event cost, but as we need to vacate by 10.00 breakfast may be something quick and simple to allow plenty of time to clean up.
Tea and coffee, included in the event cost, will be available throughout the weekend
Bring along any other drinks you want for the weekend.