The North London Connection, Saturday 11th May 2019

17 Walkers, 20 miles - leader Ron WIlliamson

The objective of today’s walk was to find a varied route of some 20 miles within the M25 starting and finishing at an underground station in North London. Our hard-worked joint secretary deserved a lie in so where better to start from than his local station at which he managed to be last to arrive with only two minutes before start time.

Damp and dismal weather seemed to be reflected in our surroundings of Ballards Lane, however our spirits were quickly lifted as we followed Lover’s Lane across Dollis Brook and beside Finchley Golf Course. After barely one mile it was time to remove waterproofs and enjoy what became perfect conditions for walking.

With the sun now on our backs we crossed hill and dale as we topped out at Totteridge, passed Duck Island on the climb to Whitings Hill, and scurried between Arkley and Barnet on our way to the highest point of the morning, the aptly named Ridge, our lunch stop.

A group “weigh in” at Crossoaks Farm weighbridge and soon we were heading West along the Hertfordshire Way towards Letchmore Heath. Now walking into the late afternoon sun we crossed far reaching fields of oil seed rape and enjoyed a fly pass as we traversed London Elstree Aerodrome. A circumvention of Aldenham reservoir and a short stretch of the London Loop and we were within touching distance of our destination, but the crux of the route was yet to come.

The wide panoramic view from the recently opened London Viewpoint at Wood Farm Nature Reserve was now before us. Wembley Stadium and St Mary’s church on Harrow Hill, Alexandra Palace in the East and Heathrow to the southwest and over The City to Box Hill in the South a site worth a 20 mile walk.

Now all downhill through Stanmore Country Park to emerge from the undergrowth at the end of the Jubilee Line and another grand day in London’s fascinating countryside.

Photographs by Gavin Fuller, more by Gavin and Barry Arnold on the group Facebook site

 

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