Walk Reports and Photos 2014

Along the Thames from Waterloo, Sunday 28th December 2014

18mls-Ldr David Rossington

17 people

Seventeen people joined the Group’s the “Along the Thames from Waterloo” hike on Saturday, 28 December. It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed seeing a cross section of London from the centre to the outskirts as we walked from waterloo along the Thames Path, beyond the Thames Barrier to Erith, reaching our destination just as the sun was setting.

Woolwich to Wandsworth, Saturday 20th December 2014

20mls-Ldr Adam Pode

15 people

With thanks to Roderick Smith's FaceBook post, here's a quick report from Adam Pode's excellent 20-mile midwinter walk from Woolwich Arsenal along the more Easterly reaches of the Thames. 15 solstice-seeking hikers joined the walk, and the journey is recorded in the attached photos. They show: the group soon after the start; a signpost; the Cutty Sark; Peter The Great visited in 1698 and the group; Canary Wharf towers; statue of Dr Alfred Salter, but not the earlier statue stolen some years ago.

Olympic Park by Night, Wednesday 10th December 2014

6mls-Ldr Lonica Vanclay

13 people

13 walkers joined me for a 6 mile walk of which just over half was through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - lovely lights and great to be able to peer into the swimming pool and velodrome and see the sporty folks ......then a short stretch along the canal, Roman Road Christmas lights and recuperative refreshment at the Queen Victoria pub which even had a quiz going in the background which some of our party did quite well at.

Rochford to Southend Linear, Wednesday 7th December 2014

19mls-Ldr Lonica Vanclay

19 people

“Lonica's muddy walk from Rochford to Southend on Sea via Hadleigh Castle - "planks" for the memory! (planks were one way to cross the stream by the ponies). Constable's painting of a stormy Hadleigh Castle is more dramatic but great sunset, and a fine sunset to finish with. 15 of us enjoyed a fine fish and chip supper at the end speedily served which compensated for the slowness of lunch. A group of 19 enjoyed the 30km / 19mi walk in 8 hours - thanks Lonica”alkers joined me for a 6 mile walk of which just over half was through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - lovely lights and great to be able to peer into the swimming pool and velodrome and see the sporty folks ......then a short stretch along the canal, Roman Road Christmas lights and recuperative refreshment at the Queen Victoria pub which even had a quiz going in the background which some of our party did quite well at.

Sunday 30th November - Beaconsfield Marlow Circuit

18mls-Ldr Adam Dawson

17 people

An unexpectedly dry and warm day for our 18 mile hike round the Chilterns today. Started at Beaconsfield station, headed down to the Thames and then back through the hills to Beaconsfield after lunch at the Queen's Head in Little Marlow. 17 walkers came to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and it was great to see some new members and visitors from other groups, too.

Saturday 22nd November - One Stop on the Tube Pt 2

19mls-Ldr Peter Almer

19people

We had 19 all told, very good I thought considering the weather which was indeed gloomy with intermittent rain. Walkers came from as far afield as Bracknell and Northampton. We started out on the Essex Way, headed south to Theydon Upland church - one of three Theydons on the walk - before crossing the Roding to Lambourne church (one of the prettiest churchyards in Essex) and heading by green lane and Hainault Forest to its country park - alas walkers had to take my word that there are fantastic views across London on the final descent.
After a quick cafe stop, we took the London Loop for a couple of miles before cutting across to Abridge (lots of stiles to hold us up!) and crossing the Roding once more. It was all but dark by Theydon Garnon church so it was headtorch time for the last half-hour - a shame, as from the final meadows Theydon Bois tube looks like a little country station.

Sunday 27th September - Richmond to Central London: Gone for a Burton, so to Speke

20mls - Ldr Rod Smith

Saturday 17th May - Circular from Petersfield

22mls-Ldr Roderick Smith

16people

16 completed a 22-mile walk round Petersfield from the Station starting at 09:40 on a warm sunny day.

We went east across The Heath towards Rogate before turning north through Durford Wood to the Jolly Drover at Rake for morning coffee and cake. We descended to Liss and read about the Longmoor Military Railway. A climb followed to The Hawkley at Hawkley for lunch after 11 miles. After lunch we climbed the steep track beside the Wealden Edge Hangers, before moving on to High Cross, and thence to Ridge Farm. At that point we headed east once more, along the crest of the hills to Stoner and The Poet's Stone for a breath-taking view of the South Downs. Steeply down the Hangers’ Way before turning to pass The Harrow. A final short walk took us back to Petersfield Station by 17:50. A brisk but very enjoyable walk.

Wednesday 14th May - SEW Richmond to Wimbledon

6.5mls-Ldr Roderick Smith

9people

Nine members completed a 6½ mile evening walk from Richmond Station to Wimbledon Station. After crossing The Green, the group ascended Richmond Hill and entered the Park by the Star & Garter Home. Windsor Castle, 13 miles away, and St Paul’s Cathedral, 10 miles in the opposite direction, were seen clearly from King Henry’s Mound. The route passed into the Isabella Plantation but, unlike last year and owing to the mild winter, the early azaleas were over, and later azaleas were yet to flower; rhododendrons were in flower. On to Robin Hood Gate this year, across the A3 with a nod to Howard Carter’s grave (d.1939) in Putney Vale Cemetery, and a note of Southside House on Wimbledon Common before descending to the Alexandra pub and Wimbledon Station. The weather was warm and sunny throughout. 18:40-20:50

Sunday 11th May - Eton,Windsor Great Park & Valley Gardens

20mls - Ldr Paul Lawrence

Saturday 26th April - Epping Forest Challenge Walk

23mls - Ldr Rob Myers

Wednesday 23rd April - Around the Squares of Central London

Ldr Lonica Vanclay

16people

16 walkers joined me and we all admired the flowers and gravestones and trees in more squares than we could count or thought there were as we covered the 7 miles quickly in 2 hours with no information given (or we’d have been hours!) and just a touch of drizzle and one locked square gate before the dark descended! Made us all wonder how many squares there were in London especially as we just covered the area NE of Temple – anyone know? Look out for another “Other Squares of London” walk next spring!

Saturday 19th April - East Grinstead to Oxted

23mls - Ldr Dave Williams