Julie's Jabber - This week with London LDWA


Julie's Jabber - This week with London LDWA
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London LDWA

Thanks to British Summer Time, we've lost an hour, which given the current circumstances may be no bad thing. I'm writing this as my front garden is attacked by bursts of hail.Though I never thought I'd say this I actually feel quite pleased. The last few days have featured sun, sun and more sun, perfect conditions for a long day out in the open spaces, so  it's been like staring into a shop window full of luxury goods you're never going to be able to buy. Yes, I'm actually grateful for Weather You Don't Want To Go Out In.

 

ysenda british summer time

 

Anyway, on with Julie's Jabber, otherwise known as Welch's Wibble. The photo above is from the cover of a new book, 'British Summer Time Begins', which comes out at the end of May. It's so sunny and light-hearted I thought it might make a bleak world feel temporarily rosier. The book is a nostalgic look at how we used to spend the school summer holidays. The author, Ysenda Maxstone Graham, is a friend and I was flattered to have my reminiscences about childhood holidays in Sheringham and Cromer included. One of the reasons I enjoy taking part in Norfolk & Suffolk Group's Poppyline 50, winter and summer versions, is that the route takes me through territory very familliar from the days of bucket-and-spade, shrimping nets, mini-golf links and cliff paths (even though these are now sadly eroded). I wonder, does  anyone else  choose to take part in a walk because the route features in their childhood memories? 

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In an article last Thursday, Mike Atherton, the Times cricket correspondent, wrote about how it is harder for greats to stand out in the modern age of sport because a wall exists beyond which human improvement cannot go; there are limits to human achievement and we have reached them. Many of us have felt that sentiment in the last few miles of a Fifty or a Hundred. But it set me thinking about long distance walking records. One notable one that can never be emulated is Roger Cole's completion of consecutive Hundreds, since he is the only walker to have finished every single one from the inaugural Downsman till his retirement a few years ago. What other records do walkers hold? I do believe our own Jerome Ripp must be a contender for number of social walks led - perhaps he'll let us know where the tally stands at the moment. And of course, let's hope that later this year he can begin adding to it again.

 

Breaking news!

 

Something nice to look forward to - thanks to organiser Jean O'Reilly, London Group can announce that the next Capital Challenge is scheduled to  take place on Saturday April 17th, 2021. The route will be the Thames Barrier Walk  which, once the finishing touches are put to it, will be around 30 miles. 

Below is a snap from the finish of last year's event, with Gordon Parker and I waiting at the View Tube Cafe to hand out certificates to finishers with a distinguished helper, LDWA Chair David Morgan. 

 

capital challenge two 2019

 

 

 

London Group members have been getting out for walks on their own, and below is one of the photos taken by Corinne Thompson in Crystal Palace Park. Please stay in contact via Facebook and keep on posting photos - they're much appreciated by the Newsletter editor. Happy solitary walking, everyone.

 

dinosaur crystal palace park

Dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park - let's hope we won't all be looking like that by the time this is all over!
PHOTO Corinne Thompson

 

 

London LDWA - http://www.ldwa.org.uk/London