San Francisco Dinner: "A Walk Across England"

Thursday, April 21, social hour 6 pm, dinner 7, show 8 - City Forest Lodge, 254 Laguna Honda Boulevard, San Francisco (across from Laguna Honda Hospital and downhill from Forest Hill Station; take Muni's K, L, M, or 43). Come early for street parking (no sidewalk parking please).

Join us for "A Walk Across England" on the Coast to Coast Trail with Susanna Van Leuven and Stuart Spalding.

In the summer of 2003 they walked from St. Bee's Head on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea. This 195-mile jaunt took them up narrow trails, on the sides of wave-battered cliffs, across fields, up steep inclines, and down down down into valleys and into pleasant English villages. In 18 days they walked through three national parks, the famed Lake district, the Yorkshire Dales (home of James Harriott), and the North York Moors, where they first glimpsed the North Sea.

They stayed in remarkably wonderful bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and youth hostels and enjoyed great food, great company, and a welcoming atmosphere. Despite much planning, however, they were hardly prepared for the lack of signs, the steep trails up and down hillsides and stream beds, and the low-flying jets in the Lake District. The Coast to Coast Trail, cobbled together in 1970 by Alfred Wainwright, is not well-marked, and so they found plenty of opportunity to get lost. But every town was beautiful with stone architecture and rich in history.

Susanna and Stuart have been hiking, backpacking, and canoeing across the States for many years. Come and see their wonderful adventure in England.

Reservations are required (no attendance for program only). Mail check for $13.50 made out to "Sierra Club, S.F. Bay Chapter" to Barb Bourns at:

274 A Connecticut St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

Checks must be received by Mon., April 18. Bring your own wine or soft drinks. Glasses and ice available. Let us know if you are a vegetarian. Questions? Call Barb before 9 pm at (415) 431-6054.