Latest walk reports Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th December 2020
Croydon Meander, Saturday 12th December
6 Walkers, 17.9 miles - leader Gavin Fuller
As with the first weekend once the original Lockdown was over the first of which a social walk was planned after Lockdown 2.0 saw a gloomy day for the recommencement of the programme. Nevertheless the maximum permitted number of 6 convened at South Croydon for a meandering walk through plenty of mud taking in numerous green spaces mainly in what had been recently revealed to be England’s 18th-most wooded local authority area, with an excursion across the border into Surrey to take in Riddlesdown and the local commons. Starting with the climb to Croham Hurst, there was then further ascent to the highest point of the walk at 575ft/175m in Sanderstead Plantation, with plenty of further undulations to follow in the likes of Selsdon Wood, Littleheath Wood and the Addington Hills, where the group discovered just why it is in the plural in a traverse across the area. Descending down to Shirley, they were then surprised to discover a post mill in a housing estate, and after a path through a surprisingly deserted golf course the sun came out just as the penultimate park – Lloyd Park – was reached, adding interest with its illumination of the trees. One last park, Park Hill, passing Croydon’s defunct water tower, took the group almost to the doorstep of the finishing point of East Croydon, having done 1,112ft of ascent en route in what was something of a voyage of discovery for most of those taking part.
Photographs by Gavin Fuller
A Jolly Circular Walk Round the East London Parks and Marshes, Sunday 13th December
4 Walkers, 16.3 miles - leader Lonica Vanclay
Just look at the smiles on those faces! It was last Sunday, 13th December. 4 of us set out – the waiting list from the following week. Little did we know that the actual walk would have to be cancelled so we were to be practically the last London LDWA walk out probably for some months. Lonica led a delightful walk of 16.5 miles from Mile End up into the Lockwood reservoir, Walthamstow. There were some intriguing and beautiful corners explored on the way and we didn't mind at all about the rain. Pictured here, Lonica Vanclay, Ken Main and Marie Heracleous. The actual walk will be offered again once it is possible!.
Report and photograph by Minna Graeber
