Walk Reports and Photos 2015 (Jul-Dec)


A Christmas walk inspired by a Victorian Clerk, Sat 19 December 2015 

38 people 18mls - Ldr Keith Lane

Keith's report of an epic day out follows:

"I thought a buzz was building up about my walk.  I had a couple of texts from prospective walkers and when I got to Harrow on the Hill station at 08:45 there was a good sprinkling of the usual suspects. But nothing prepared me for the stream of LDWA members marching through the ticket barriers from the scheduled Marylebone train - a real jaw-dropping moment.

I am not sure if 38 is a record number in the annals of London LDWA but surely it has to be for a leader who has not led a weekend walk for the LDWA before!

We marched up the Hill to St Mary's church where I told anyone in ear shot all about Nathaniel Bryceson (he could not have thought his diary entry would have inspired such a gathering 169 years later).  

Gordon  volunteered to be back marker and we set off for the coffee stop although it was becoming increasingly obvious that ordering coffee would be totally impractical so I announced that it would be cancelled but we would go up to it as there are free toilets next to it.  It didn't occur to me that being a Jewish cafe it would be closed on Saturdays and certainly not that the toilets would also be closed for the same reason.  When we got to the next toilets at Hampstead Heath northern extension there was a sizeable queue.

Changing the lunch stop proved to be a blessing because of the variety of venues that could accommodate most tastes and numbers.  A few members left the walk at the lunch stop and using side streets alleyways  & courtyards it was an unproblematic walk into London until we hit the tsunami of shoppers as we tried to navigate our way across Oxford Street. The group was reduced to 10 members after we regrouped as some left and others got lost.  This must be another record.  However when we got to the crib at Trafalgar Square walkers who had made their own way appeared and others were in the pub.

Fortunately, contrary to our fears the pub wasn't packed and we gathered round a table with our very own Father Christmas and a festive time was had by all."

To read more about Mr Bryceson, just click this link:

The_diary_of_Nathaniel_Bryce.pdf

 

Photos by Bola Baruwa and Keith Lane

 


Dollis Valley and more (linear), Sat 12 December 2015 

17 people 18mls - Ldr Peter Aylmer

16 hikers joined Peter for an 18-mile Gospel Oak to Borehamwood walk on Saturday. The light held out, just about, to let the group forge an untracked path down from Woodcock Hill at the end of the day, and the rain held off too, just about. The first photo shows the group, the next four photos show what the walk would have looked like if there had been any sun ....

Photos by Peter Aylmer and Paul Cutmore

 


Sevenoaks Circular, Sat 5 December 2015 

18 people 18.3mls - Ldr Lonica Vanclay

17 joined Lonica for this 18 mile walk with another catching us up at lunchtime in Otford to make 18 for the afternoon.  The rain held off, the grey clouds did not obscure the views and the mud was not so bad really.  Forest, fields, hills, villages and lake made for a varied backdrop to our conversations. So ho ho ho we all had fun.

Photos by Bola Baruwa and Chris Dent

 


Another Wetherspoons Odyssey, Sat 28 November 2015 

21 people 17mls - Ldr Dave Williams

A large and enthusiastic group joined Dave for this 17 mile hike through southern London.   The walk started with breakfast in the"Richmal Compton" Wetherspoons in Bromley, then followed parts of the Capital Ring and Green Chain Walk through Beckenham Place to Greenwich.   After pausing to admire the magnificent panorama from Greenwich observatory, the group dropped down into Greenwich proper, for lunch at the surprisingly un-crowded Gate Clock Wetherspoons.  

Suitably refreshed, the walk progressed along the southern Thames, through Surrey Quays, taking in excellent views of the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf dominating the right-hand skyline.   En route, a curiously elongated Peter the Great was inspected, and the "adults' playground" at Rotherhithe was thoroughly lested (click here...).

The walked finished at the Liberty Bounds Wetherspoons in Tower Hill, completing a great walk and excellent day out.

Photos by Adam Dawson

 


Wendover circular to Speen, Sat 21 November 2015 

9 people 18mls - Ldr Charles O'Toole

A circular walk through the Chilterns from Wendover via Speen.   Spotted guanacos en route and enjoyed pub lunch at the delightful Bryant's Bottom.   Also saw the "woolly train deflectors" - colourful adornments to the trees along the proposed HS2 rail route thruogh the area.   See the photos for evidence!

Photos by Bola Baruwa

 


Oxford Semi-Circus, Sat 14 November 2015 

12 people
19mls - Ldr Jerome Ripp

12 determined walkers undeterred by forecast of very bad weather met at Oxford station for a very enjoyable 19 mile semi-circular walk. There was drizzle in the air for part of the day and a heavy shower after lunch but overall the weather was quite OK for walking. We began with a tour of the town to see some of the colleges and famous buildings, including the leader's own alma mater college of Merton and the walk around Christchurch Meadows. A brief stop at Holywell cemetery (Kenneth Grahame and Kenneth Tynan are both buried here), then we headed onto the Mesopotamia path between two branches of the Cherwell river and steadily moved out of the town passing the vast Radcliffe Hospital and reached Headington. Passing close to the remains of Headington Quarry which had provided the stone for many college buildings, and through the CS Lewis nature reserve to Shotover Plain with views of the Cowley car works. Down through some delightful woodland to Garsington where the leader managed to find two closed pubs before finding an open one.

Suitably refreshed, even though it was instant coffee, we headed west towards the flood plains of the Thames and joined up with the Shakespeare Way to Sandford and the river. From here it was a pleasant towpath walk accompanied by many rowing groups and their trainers following the Thames to Osney Mead and back to the station.

Photos by Paul Lawrence

 


West Ruislip to Elstree and Borehamwood, Sat 7 November 2015 

10* people
(*see note in text)

19mls - Ldr Peter Buchwald

*Note: Annoyingly, at the last minute Chiltern Railways cancelled the 08.46 train from Marylebone to West Ruislip, which meant that the six people who had made the effort to get to the start and were expecting to travel via Marylebone were disappointed, as the next train didn't depart for an hour.   So, sadly, only the four who travelled to the start by Central Line were able to complete the walk.   Sincere apologies to everyone who was let down by the trains on the day.

Peter's poetic rendition, and photos, of the day's events follows below, so if you weren't able to make it, at least you will have an idea of how it turned out.

You can view a map of the route by clicking here (be patient as the link loads, and you may need to click the "+" button to see the route)

 The quagmire of North East London
 After days of wintry streaming rain
 Under leaden skies in uncertain light
 Some hardy golfers playing their game.

 Riverine paths which cleaned our boots
 Followed by uncertain squelchy fields
 Slippery underfoot like soupy broth
 Paludal plains of muddy sticky clay.

 Pressing banknotes dry in a serviette
 Tea without milk in a Polish pub
 Blue skies and luminous ruddy trees
 A golden sunset at the end of the day.

 

Photos by Peter Buchwald

 


Roach and Crouch Estuarine Exploration, Sun 1 November 2015 

21 people

18mls - Ldr Steve Plested

21 brave souls turned out despite the transport changes and rather gloomy weather forecast and indeed it remained misty all day, hence very few sea birds and no seals were spotted and views were restricted, quite atmospheric for a while

A happy bunch joined Steve for this walk, with about half being from Essex and Herts group, and perhaps set a record for a pub lunch stop of a mere 35 mins, seemed to be appreciated by all.

 

Photos by Paul Cutmore and Keith Lane

 


Steven's Hackney Parks & Open Spaces Circular (joint with Essex & Herts), Sun 25 October 2015

23 people

19.5mls - Ldr Gordon Parker

Gordon was joined by 23 people on a fine, sunny autumn day for the walk devised by Steven Muster through 20 miles of Hackney passing a total of 23 (what a coincidence!) named parks and open spaces, plus Victoria Park which is now entirely within the borough of Tower Hamlets. 

The day proved thoroughly enjoyable and a number of the group expressed surprise at the pleasure they took from spending so many hours in Hackney! and of course at how much green space there is there. The trees were at their most colourful.

We stopped for coffee at Springfield Park and lunch in Clissold Park and had a couple of additional, unscheduled toilet stops. Having left Stratford station promptly at 9 am we arrived back there at 4.30 pm. A map and .gpx file of the route, some historical notes and photos are below.

Map here and GPX to download here and notes as a .docx here and a pdf here.

Photos by Paul Lawrence

 


Stour Valley (joint with Kent), Sat 17 October 2015 

9 people

18mls - Ldr Roderick Smith

A group of nine Kent and London Group members, four ladies and five men, met at Canterbury West station and set off at 1000 to walk to Sandwich.  We walked past Canterbury's West Gate and east along the High Street before turning towards the Cathedral and thence along Burgate to St Augustine's Abbey.  Continuing east we soon left the main road and joined the Stour Valley Path.

We passed a blue plaque in Fordwich commemorating John and Gregory Blaxland, early settlers in Australia, and reached our mid-morning tea and coffee stop at The Fordwich Arms by 1115 - beside the smallest and oldest Town Hall in England still in use.  On to Stodmarsh and through a National Nature Reserve, walking beside the River Stour to lunch at The Grove Ferry Inn.

Lunch took a quick 45 minutes and we were on our way again by 1345.  Crossing flat empty fields we reached West Stourmouth and went into its Churches Conservation Trust church.  Passing through East Stourmouth, we reached the Rose Garden Tearoom at Westmarsh by 1515, where David generously treated us to an excellent slice of cake each to accompany tea and coffee.

Walking through several miles of apple orchards full of heavy fruit, we turned up to the impressive 25-feet high walls of the Roman fort at Richborough (RVTVPIAE) by 1640.  After crossing the railway line, we continued by the River Stour into Sandwich reaching its station by 1715 in good time for the 1725 train to London via Dover having walked about 18.5 miles in 7¼ hours.  A fine day out despite the grey overcast and cool north-east wind.

Photos by Roderick Smith

(see gallery below and also additional photos posted on the Kent group website, which you can access by clicking here)

 


Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Common, Wed 14 October 2015 

8 people

6.2mls - Ldr Peter Buchwald

We strolled towards a rainbow sunset
Red blue and gold above the roofs
City lights now obscured by trees
Sleepy swans backlit by golden sun.

Wimbledon Common revealed its charm
In the dark of a moonless night
A sail less windmill to our left
Mysterious roving lights close by.

A nervous walker with his hound
An empty golf club with lights ablaze
Mansions of the village passed by
Convivial drinks at walk's end.

Photo by Peter Buchwald

 


London Parks Way (1 of 3); Kingston Stn to Hammersmith Stn, 10 October 2015 

22 people

22mls - Ldr Rob Myers

The final part of Rob's London Parks Way walk was between Kingston and Hammersmith. This attracted 22 people on a pleasant Autumn day. It was good to see a lot a lot of people who had done other parts of the walk.   The walk began in Hampton Court Park and then proceeded to Hampton Court Palace where we visited the formal gardens (free of charge after Sept 30th). We then did a tour of Bushy Park and we all enjoyed watching the red deer antics during rutting season.

After a lunch break along Kingston riverfront we spent most of the afternoon exploring Richmond Park. Again the red deer were the main attraction. Early October is a really magical time to visit the park! We had a close encounter with 2 young male stags who had their horns interlocked and were practicing the rut. After Richmond Park we crossed Barnes Bridge and finished with a pleasant walk along the Thames back to Hammersmith. Congratulations to Dave, Neil and Joelle who completed all 3 parts of the 67 mile route.

Photos by Paul Cutmore

 


19th "Founders'" challenge hike, 3 October 2015 

130 people

16 and 27mls - Ldr Gordon Parker

An excellent event, enjoyed by 130 people in the Surrey hills.   Warm sunshine after a misty start.   Dry weather for the last couple of weeks made for very good walking.

Results are now in - visit https://www.ldwa.org.uk/London/W/3647/2015-founders-results.html

Fuller report is also avaiable at https://www.ldwa.org.uk/London/W/3647/2015-founders-results.html.

Thanks to Gordon Parker for organisation and to all Marshals and other volunteers who helped make the whole thing a success.

Photos by Gordon Parker, Olaf Storbeck, Adam Dawson and Julie Dale

John Pennifold has also placed a detailed set of photos on his Flickr site - which you can access here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/john_pp/albums/72157659009126590

 


To the manor born, 1 October 2015 

10 people

6mls - Ldr Adam Dawson

An enjoyable autumnal walk in the woods, taking in the Ruislip lido and the depths of Ruislip woods.   A walk of contrasts, and sometimes had to believe we were in deepest suburbia all evening.   Finished just after 8pm, in the dark so head torches were requried.   Just time for a quick pint in Wetherspoons before heading back to London on the Met or Piccadilly lines.

Photos by Roderick Smith and Adam Dawson

 

 


Social walk in Surrey (aka Founders' Marshals' walk), Sat 26 September 2015 (27 mile route)

8 people

27mls - Ldr Douglas Robinson

Douglas Robinson led 7 others on the 27 mile Founders Challenge 2015 route yesterday, one of the Social Walks in Surrey primarily for the Founders Marshals. It was a beautiful early autumn day showing off the Surrey Hills at their finest.

See next report (below) for details of the 16 mile Marshals'

Photos by Gordon Parker

 


Social walk in Surrey (aka Founders' Marshals' walk), Sat 26 September 2015 (16 mile route)

8 people

16mls - Ldr Catherine Fox

8 people met at Gomshall station to walk out the route of the 16-mile 2015 Founders Challenge. All walkers had a copy of the route description and together we found our way from Shere, through Peaslake, through Black Heath, past Newlands Corner then back to Shere. Look in the church in Shere to read about the anchoress, quick drink in the Compasses Inn in Gomshall, then headed home.

See previous report (above) for details of the 27 mile Marshals'

Photos by Catherine Fox 

 

 


Park perambulation, 23 September 2015 

5 people

9mls - Ldr Jerome Ripp

A group of 5 enjoyed a circumnavigation of Richmond Park on a fine early autumn evening. A good pace was maintained and the 9 miles covered in just under 3 hours. From the Kingston gate we walked anticlockwise via Robin Hood gate, Beverley Brook, Roehampton gate and a detour, thanks to Chris to see the relatively hidden Two Storm Wood. Views steadily opened up of the London Skyline with the Eye, Shard and later the highlight of St. Paul's Cathedral seen through the new Wren gate of The Way. A tour through the quiet private garden of Pembroke Lodge and return via Richmond and Ham gates.

Please send any photos for the website to london@ldwa.org.uk

 


Stonegate to Battle walk, Saturday 19 September 2015

11 people

19mls - Ldr Jane Bates

Two reports!
1) Jane Bates (walk leader):

After awful weather last week we had a perfect warm September day. One of those days where sun is strong but air still has a fresh edge, being that bit later in the year the light is warmer and lower giving interesting shadows

Timing went perfectly. Started well with no engineering works, a good pace throughout the day meant that we arrived at pub just before 2 and just got back in time for the 18.07 train from Battle, an hour earlier than I had feared/planned

The key feature of the walk was the hills. I overheard someone saying 'oh no we are going downhill, that means we have to go up'. We certainly got the character of walking in the Weald, if you are not going down you are going up- there is no flat walking

The walk started straight into the fields from the back of stonegate station, then a fairly easy start over the rare flat fields before the first climb to Burwash ridge and the old brick  pavements of old Burwash. Here we had the first glimpse of our first folly, The Obelisk or Brightling Needle, that is a landmark on the next high ridge. Then down hill to go past rudyard Kipling's house Batemans before the next climb, descent and climb through woods to near the gypsum mine. Here we had a mid morning stop to admire the view before a steep descent and long climb up through more woods to Brightling. Then we toured the follies, the Pyramid in Brightling church where mad Jack Fuller is buried reputedly sitting at a table with his accustomed large meal. Then off to the Tower where jack fuller reviewed the work being done on Bodiam Castle, then across Brightling park near the Temple where he entertained young ladies to the Sugar loaf, built so that he could win a bet that he could see Dallington church from his house. He could not see it so had this little house built to win the bet.

Then  a few hundred yards later we were at the swan at woods corner for a welcome stop in their sunny garden. Picnic lunches were taken at some convenient picnic benches at cricket ground/ radio ham site near the sugar loaf.

Afternoon was a different character with more expansive views, minor roads and tracks mainly, with some great views back to Brightling needle. Still some hills though, the lung busting ascent of Tent hill being the worst but at the top we were rewarded with views to the South Downs, then down again and on 1066 path until final ascent of the hill into Battle.

 

2) Paul Lawrence (participant)

Ingeniously linking several follies by John 'Mad Jack' Fuller in rural Sussex, with distant views to others, on a pleasant and dry early autumn day after recent rains. A colourful character, John Fuller was born in 1750 and became squire of Brightling on inheriting family estates that included slave plantations - he was an outspoken supporter - and he is buried in Brightling churchyard. He was a builder of follies, as well as an MP along with several other Fullers. One folly passed, the Sugar Loaf or Fuller's Point, was built to win a bet that the spire of Dallington church could be seen from the Fuller home, which it could not, but the folly that looked like it could. This folly, remarkably, was lived in as a two-storey dwelling. (Sugar was sold in the from of a conical 'sugar loaf' in the 1820s, hence the name of several hills and mountains worldwide.) A noted drunkard, an incident in Parliament with the Speaker led to Fuller's disgrace, but he was a philanthropist and supporter of the sciences as a benefactor to the Royal Institution and established the Fullerian Professorship of Chemistry, a chair first occupied by the young Michael Faraday whom Fuller supported. Fuller purchased Bodiam Castle to save it from destruction. The final stages of the walk followed the 1066 Country Walk into Battle to pass the Abbey.

Photos by Paul Lawrence


 

Hills and Views, 16 September 2015 

11 people

8mls - Ldr Roderick Smith

Eleven of us met at Oxford Circus for an evening walk to Alexandra Palace.  Heavy showers were forecast and we had scarcely left Oxford Circus before the heavy rain arrived.  On to the "world pavement" art work by Mark Pimlott in front of the BBC, and via The Hub to the top of Primrose Hill.  Low cloud covered the tops of the tallest buildings in the City and Canary Wharf.  Thence via Englands Lane and Roderick Road to the top of Parliament Hill, followed by the climb to Highgate Hill.  Three caught a bus to Kings Cross.  Highgate Wood was locked shut for the night so eight of us continued along the road to Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace. Excellent view of London from AP. Two returned home, while six went to The Starting Gate pub for supper before trains and tube back to Moorgate, Kings Cross and Vauxhall.  8 miles in 3 wet hours; Adam's gpx track is on the Group's Facebook page with photos.  My thanks to all who braved the weather for an enjoyable walk, Roderick

Photos by Roderick Smith and Adam Dawson

 


Chappell beer festival walk, Sat 12 September 2015

7 people

9mls - Ldr Rob Myers

-.

Photo by Corinne Thompson

 

 


Hills of the North, Tue 8 September 2015 (evening)

10 people

9mls - Ldr Ron Williamson

Start 18:05  Finish 21:05

6 stalwarts from the afternoon walk were revitalised when 4 fresh pairs of legs joined us at the start.
A classic walk linking many favourite sites with wonderfully clear views  over the city by both day and night.
Unfortunately the sun failed to appear at the right time, so no sunset from Parliament Hill.
The 'Plodders Revenge' was complete when our faster walkers failed to rise to the challenge and were conspicuous by their absence.

Photos by Ron Williamson

 


The City at Work, 8 September 2015 (afternoon)

14 people

8mls - Ldr Ron Williamson

14 participated inc,1 guest

Start 13:05  Finish 17:00
Distance 8.7 miles 

Facts and figures ( A new LDWA Register ! )
Thoroughfares used                                         140              
Changes of direction                                        160           
Changes of direction per 100yds                         1.53
Max distance without change of direction        440 yds
Most changes of direction in 400yds                  15  (1 every 27yds )
Number of walkers disorientated                        14  (100%)
...and most important
Walkers at finish                                                 14   (none lost)

In addition we had time to visit 3 churches, I secret garden, and 1 roof top with time to have a 20mins tea break on a terrace over looking the Thames

Not the usual LDWA walk so special thanks to those who took part so enthusiastically. I [Ron] thoroughly enjoyed myself  and I hope you did.

Next time we will aim for 200 changes of direction not including a spiral staircase of 311 steps, therefore no alcohol before or during.

Photo by Keith Lane and Chris Dent

 

SPECIAL NOTE
A number of people on the hike wanted to be able to follow the route again later at their leisure.   If you'd like to do this, Ron has kindly provided the walk details, which can be downloaded by clicking this link:
The_City_and_beyond_Sept_2015.xlsx

 


Epping Forest to Waltham Abbey Circular, 6 September 2015 

16 people

21mls - Ldr Steven Muster

Sixteen attended today's walk. A great success, with lovely weather

Photos by Roderick Smith

 

 


Connaught Water and Pole Hill, Wed 2 September 2015 

8 people

6mls - Ldr Peter Aylmer

Evening walks just about work in early September and here's the proof. We just managed to get round our six-mile circuit from Chingford without the use of head torches. Sunset was 7.45; we reached the trig point on Pole Hill at 7.47, alas no last fleeting rays of golden dusk but a very fetching view over the capital nevertheless. Thanks to all my companions for a good walk.

Photos by Peter Aylmer

 


Maidenhead loop, Sat 29 August 2015 

16 people

21mls - Ldr Jerome Ripp

Despite the prognostications of rail disturbances, there was a normal service to Maidenhead on the day and 16 of us had a very enjoyable 20 mile walk. First, along the Thames path passing many billionaire residences and then into the hills with a break at Hedsor old church and a view of Lord Boston's Victorian folly.

A loop along the Beeches way to Littlemore common and descent to Woburn common for picnic lunch where we had a long range view of a cricket match on one side and a wedding on the other. The weather had been sunny in the morning but became overcast and sultry with a few drops of rain later but it held off until the end. The leader kindly reduced some of the hilly climbs and the return was via Cock Marsh and the Winter Hill ridge before crossing to Cookham Dean and return to Maidenhead using the very pleasant Green Way.

If anyone has photos they would like to share, please email them to adldwa@btinternet.com

 


Wimbledon to Kingston, Wed 26 August 2015 

8 people

8mls - Ldr Keith Lane

8 turned up including Keith, which was about 7 more than we had feared, given that the threat of the tube strike had only just been lifted.
John & Gail joined us no less, as well as two new members, Mike and Ian. The others were stalwarts Dave, Rob, and Paula.
At 4pm the sun come out but it was still raining then the rain stopped and the sun still shone and it was a gloriously warm evening just perfect for the walk across 2 commons 1 park and a river bank.
We got to Kingston just as it was getting dark walked through the ancient town square which has now been ruined by the removal of the original cobbles and replaced by modern tiles.
The Wetherspoons had bouncers on the door but in spite of the dishevelled appearance of Dave(!) they let us in
Good times.

Photo by Keith Lane

 


Petersfield to Rowlands Castle, Sat 22 August 2015 

6 people

19mls - Ldr Peter Buchwald

Mushrooms grew in the grass of the fields
And blackberries ripe for the picking
Quaint country paths of Victorian times
A torrid walk up Butser Hill's chalk slopes.

That old early Norman church in the village
Fields laid out in colourful patchwork
Cooling Easterly breezes under the trees
Earthy fields where wheat had been harvested.

Old Idsworth church in the middle of a plain
Its ancient wall paintings, once whitewashed.
Gathering clouds a portent of autumnal rains
A friendly beer festival at walk's end.

Link to map: http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=50.953001~-0.950476&lvl=11&sty=r&cid=8FAACB80CCF76E1A!188

Photos by Peter Buchwald

 


Boston Manor to Hammersmith, Thu 20 August 2015 

10 people

7mls - Ldr Rob Myers

On a gloomy late August night 10 of us gathered at Boston Manor. The walk was notable for having 3 current and ex LDWA National Chairs on it. We briefly explored Boston Manor Park including its Jacobean Manor House. The park is unusual in that its nature trail passes under a M4 flyover. The walk followed the Grand Union Canal to Brentford and then went along the Thames Path to reach Chiswick House Gardens. The highlight of the walk was an extensive tour of the gardens which is one of London's lesser known gems. After leaving the gardens we had a walk along another section of the Thames Path to reach the Plough and Harrow pub in Hammersmith where most people stayed for the traditional Thursday night Wetherspoons curry.

If anyone has photos they would like to share, please email them to adldwa@btinternet.com

Some photos by Paul Lawrence

 


East Finchley and Moat Mount full length midweek, Tue 18 August 2015

3 people

19mls - Ldr Charles O'Toole

Three people turned up, Ron from Surrey, Tich from Walthamstow, and Theresa from Edmonton. All seemed pleased with the day. Theresa took the tube option at 14 miles, the others continued back to East Finchley. All seemed pleased with the route, despite the mileage turning out to be 19 plus rather than 16 miles.

If anyone has photos they would like to share, please email them to adldwa@btinternet.com

 


Glynde to Lewes via Litlington, Sat 15 August 2015

10 people

19mls - Ldr Catherine Fox

Met at Glynde station, 10 members, walked up the hill to the South Downs  Way, admired the views as we walked along, rolling hills to the left and the sea to the right. Past Firle Beacon, right at Bo Peep, past the vineyards and view of Seaford, to Litlington. After lunch, back towards Lewes, a lot of chat about ice creams (finally found some in Glynde), then over Mount Caburn, to Lewes station, then home.

Photos by Catherine Fox

 


Primrose Hill to Bloomsbury, Wed 12 August 2015

18 people

7mls - Ldr Christopher Hedley

On a balmy, sunny August evening, the 7 mile walk started with a "climb" up Primrose Hill for that excellent view of Central London - the Shard somehow looked like it was made of gossamer-thin fabric in the fading light. Then on through Regent's Park with ten games of softball being played happily by people of all ages  to the vibrancy of Camden High Street and through the first of several churchyards, passing a Greek Orthodox church and the Vet College before one of the highlights, Old St Pancras Churchyard with the Hardy Tree where Thomas H had organised headstones to be moved from another burial ground to allow the building of the mainline railway.  An ash tree grows happily through these headstones. We also saw the fine mausoleum that Sir John Soane designed for himself and his family.

Crossing under the railway, we skirted round the closed Camley Street Nature Reserve to enter the magnificently refurbished old granary building and old goods yard in Kings Cross, which is now the home of London University of the Arts. Walking down between Kings Cross and St Pancras International, we then crossed into Bloomsbury to do a blanket-stitch walk crossing from square to square, passing many wonderful Georgian residences, the Thomas Coram Museum, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the old Horse Hospital building, the Dickens Museum and much more
 
Photos by Roderick Smith

 


Havant to Chichester by the sea, Sat 8 August 2015

17 people

20mls - Ldr Jenny Caddy

Seventeen set off in sunshine from the start at Havant railway station (09.15). The route was flat (too flat for one person who left at the lunch stop); the only climb was up the steps of the new pedestrian crossing (greeted with grumbles) over the railway line near Chichester.
 
From the station we walked south along the route of a disused railway line, joined the Wayfarer's Walk and headed east to Emsworth. At Emsworth we took a footpath past the Slipper Pond and continued to Prinsted where we joined the shore footpath by the First Southbourne Sea Scouts HQ. This was open for refreshments so we stopped briefly for cold drinks.
 
We continued round the shore on the sea wall to its end where we branched left on a grassy embankment and reached the section of footpath that is flooded at high tide. Continuing round the peninsula past Cobnor Point, we reached the A259, turned east and in half a mile came to a footpath that led to Bosham, our stop for lunch (12 miles so far). Forty-five minutes later (14.15) we set off again and headed south across the causeway (low tide was noon), walked on the road and then on the footpath by the shore to the causeway for the ferry to West Itchenor. This seats only eleven but two were in use so we were all over in about ten minutes.
 
From West Itchenor we continued on a footpath that took us to Chichester Marina where we stopped for more cold drinks at the new cafe. Reinvigorated, we carried on to Dell Quay and Fishbourne, crossed the A259, turned east, went through the subway under the A27, continued on towards the centre of Chichester and reached the railway station at 17.35.
 
Our route from Bosham to Fishbourne is well-described on the Fancy Free Walks website (Bosham Harbour and the Chichester Channel).
 
 
Notable views along the route were the South Downs, the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Chichester Cathedral, numerous sailing boats on the blue water of the Chichester Channel and, way in the distance at one point, the Isle of Wight.

Photos by Lindsey Bailey

 

 


Osterley and Grand Union Canal, Tue 4 August 2015

12 people

7mls - Ldr Dave Williams

Twelve souls including one newcomer plus Duke the Springer Spaniel turned up for this pleasant stroll through Osterley Park and then along the Grand Union canal on to Richmond where everyone agreed that the après-walk  in a local hostelry was even more enjoyable than the walk itself! 

Photos by Paul Lawrence

Please email any further photos for publication with this walk report to adldwa@btinternet.com.

 


Essex Explorer, Sat 1 August 2015

28 people

19mls - Ldr Dave Williams

On a near-perfect day for walking we made our way out of Harlow, which unfortunately involved nearly an hour of tarmac pounding on its roads and cycle network before reaching the sanctuary of the surrounding countryside which was a great relief to one & all!

The rest of the morning was spent traversing the pleasant rolling countryside which involved wending our way through & around numerous wheat fields before a delayed morning break.

We reached our intended lunch stop at the Forest Gate Inn just outside Epping at about 12.30pm where we spent a very pleasant hour imbibing some of the local brews!

We set off again, minus one walker who was making her own way back due to work commitments.

However the afternoon was soured by a wilful desertion by a stalwart & usually reliable member, who when contacted only managed to compound his felony with a series of feeble & pathetic excuses!

The rest of us soldiered on past the former stately pile of Copped Hall which has fallen into a rather sad state of repair (somewhat like the leader!) and then through Warlies Park & eventually on into the Lea Valley Country Park before reaching Cheshunt Station at just after 5pm.

I was reliably informed we had covered 19 miles with no complaints or even dark mutterings from anyone, even from the newcomers although the proof will be if they return!