Walk Reports and Photos 2017 (May - Aug)


Yet another way to get to the Kingston Wetherspoon's, Wednesday 30th August 2017

10 walkers, 8 miles - leader Keith Lane

9 hardy walkers joined me at Feltham station which considering the all-day rain we had was quite impressive.
In the event hardiness was not needed because not only did the rain stop before we set off but it got warmer and the sun even broke through the clouds before it set.
The walk proceeded through Feltham Park and a small amount of pavement bashing before we got to the banks of the River Crane which we followed through the Calvary Tunnel and on past the Shot Tower to the outer reaches of Twickenham and on to BusheyPark via Fulwell Golf Club and Hampton Hill.
We reached Heron Pond (which appropriately did have a heron on it - see photo).  There we embraced the dying of the light, stillness and mist rolling across the park before proceeding in near darkness to the Kingston Gate, the Kingston Wetherpoons and fish & chips.

Photos by Keith Lane & Godfrey O'Callahan


 


Walk the line, Wednesday 23rd August 2017

 

17 walkers, 9 miles - leader Paul Lawrence

 

The Line is London's first dedicated contemporary art walk featuring a dozen works by Gormley, Hirst, Wilson and others, between The O2 and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, spread along waterways and the line of the Meridian. This walk was in two parts with a cable-car ride between. Details of The Line are at http://the-line.org/#/landing. These break the art walk at the Excel and use the DLR from Custom House to Star Lane. With City Island open and visiting the Leamouth Ecology Park the two parts can be linked albeit with some street-walking and a rather vertiginous road bridge over the Lea. The Line walk is marked with signs in a few places. Descriptions of each artwork are in the Word file below. Videos with well-known project supporters are at http://the-line.org/#/videos and include Scott McFarnon's evocative re-imagining of Johnny Cash's hit 'I Walk The Line' linking to the enigmatic character depicted in ‘Network’, one of the pieces on the walk. Bow Creek (Leamouth) Ecology Park is here. The new Strand East (Dane's Yard) development has a 40m Olympic torch tower and the Olympic Park has many art installations with a good free pdf guide here.and the walk included 'Since 9 11' by the Aquatics centre and the Orbit tower, Britain's tallest 'sculpture' to end at the usual Wetherspoons.

 

Line Walk Word File

 

GPX file download

Viewranger track map

Report & photos by Paul Lawrence



 Two parks, fascinating cemetery & interesting streets inbetween, Thursday 17th August 2017

 11 walkers, 6.5 miles - leaders John & Gail Elrick

 

Eleven walkers met at Holland Park station at 6.00 p.m. Entering Holland Park we went past the open air theatre, the home of Opera Holland Park and crossing High Street Kensington continued southwards towards Earl's Court and Brompton Cemetery. The cemetery opened in 1840 and is now run by the Royal Parks. We stopped at the graves of two well known civilians, the Suffragette leader, Emmeline Pankhurst and the opera singer, Richard Tauber.  Further on we admired the monument for Sub Lieutenant Reginald Warneford, one of 13 Victoria Cross holders buried there. In 1915 in his monoplane and armed only with a pistol and five hand grenades he attacked and destroyed a 200 feet long and formidably armed German airship in mid-air. This David and Goliath struggle earned him the V.C.

 

From the cemetery we continued down to Lots Road, pausing for views of the river and a group photo in Cremorne Gardens. Passing the statue of the painter, James McNeill Whistler, we crossed Albert Bridge and walked to Chelsea Bridge where we crossed back over the river.  From there it was a short walk through Pimlico to Victoria Station and the Wetherspoon pub.
 
Report & photos by John Elrick

 

 

 

 

 


Across the South Downs (LINEAR) Lewes to Eastbourne, Saturday 12th August 2017

 

9 walkers, 24 miles - leader Neil Cook

 

Down the River Ouse and up over South Downs we made our merry way to Eastbourne.  We lunched at Alfriston and had coffee at Birling Gap.  But no swim as it was getting cold.

 


Joydens Wood and the River Cray, Tuesday 8th August 2017

 

8 walkers, 6.3 miles - leader Peter Aylmer.

 

This walk featured two very different habitats, the ancient woodland of Joydens Wood and the water-meadows beside the River Cray. After taking a metalled bridleway past stables we headed up into the woods, encountering the ancient Faesten Dic (love the spelling!), an earthwork that was erected by the Saxons of west Kent around 1400 years ago, to keep the overly-gentrified Romano-Londoners out of their lands following the collapse of the Roman Empire. The woods themselves have both deciduous and coniferous trees, and heather was in bloom in a clearing. On then to the water-meadows, which some of the party knew from the London Loop, but we took a longer route through some very tranquil scenery before meeting a sunflower field on the way home. Alas the sun was mostly hiding - but if we'd been 24 hours later, our waterproofs would have had a severe testing.

 

 


Blue Water to Otford Linear, Saturday 5th August 2017

5 walkers, 21.5 miles - leader Neil Cook

5 walkers, 3 from London and 2 from Kent LDWA.  After arriving late due to an incident on the line and engineering works we set off at a good pace, following the thames Path.  We said goodbye to a London member in Dartford where we had a coffee break in Central Park.  We continued chasing the rain to Horton Kirby for a short lunch stop (out of the rain).   We had a further stop to eat sandwiches under the M20 before continuing to follow the River Darenth before a coffee stop ay the National Trust Centre.  We finally finished our 21.5 mile journey in bright sunshine.


Darenth Valley Summer Explorer, Sunday 30th July 2017

24 walkers, 20.5 miles - leader Lonica Vanclay

The 22 miles reduced to 20.5 somehow and the 24 of us before lunch reduced to 22 after but the rain held off and the mud wasn't too bad given the heavy rain the night before.  It was green and lush in the country, the corn was high (above our heads in fact) and the lavender was being harvested. Aah....the joys of an English summer country walk.

Photos by Paul Lawrence

  


Golders Green - Hampstead Heath, Wednesday 26 July 2017

10 walkers, 7 miles - leader Susanne Waldschmidt

Photos by Paul Lawrence

  


Boring boring trail, Saturday 22nd July 2017

20 walkers, 20 miles - leader Julie Welch.  From Plumstead to North London: joint walk with Kent.

Sixteen walkers including two newcomers set out from Plumstead station on our Arsenal-themed venture, which began with a brief trip over the road to view what’s left of the Manor Ground, where Arsenal F.C., founded in 1886 and in those first years known as Dial Square F.C., played many of their early games. We viewed what is now some kind of concreted-over factory site from our perch on the Southern Outfall Sewer (also now covered-over and turned into a walkway, you will be relieved to know). From there we backtracked to Plumstead station and headed for the Green Chain Walk, which took us over Plumstead Common, site of even earlier matches, to the now-defunct Prince of Wales pub where the first committee meeting was held to establish Arsenal as a club. From there we dropped down into Woolwich and Dial Square and headed through the dank and echoing foot tunnel for a long stretch using part of the Capital Ring. This took us on the Thames Path to Gallion’s Point and onward from there through the University of East London Campus with its spectacularly-designed student accommodation, and London City Airport over the water. Up till then it had been T-shirt and shorts weather but by the time we crossed the A12 and found ourselves on Greenway raindrops were falling on our heads and were to persist for the rest of the way. Nevertheless, we had a brief but excellent lunch stop – featuring quite possibly the finest home-made cakes in London - at the community-run View Tube café in the Olympic Park. 

We continued on our way via the Lee Navigation to Stoke Newington where after taking a wrong turning in the drizzle at Abney Park Cemetery we nevertheless managed to find out way out, and restored ourselves with a welcome tea stop in Stoke Newington Church Street. Here we left the Capital Ring and made a little tour of Highbury Fields before a highlight of the walk – a tour through what was once Highbury, Arsenal’s famous ground. The old stands have been turned into flats and the famous pitch is a communal garden. Another 500 yards or so and we were back on course for the Emirates Stadium, where photos were taken beside bronzes of Herbert Chapman and Thierry Henry. Officially the walk ended here, but a large number of by now bedraggled walkers valiantly set off for the nearest Wetherspoon’s, the converted Coronet cinema in the Holloway Road. 


Stratford to Canary Wharf, Thursday 20th July 2017

12 walkers, 6 miles - leader Dave Williams

12 turned up ( inc. 1 latecomer who joined us en-route ), 6.4 mls. 
Unfortunately because the Para World Athletic Chs. were taking place we had to circumvent the Olympic Stadium but otherwise we made good time to reach the W'spoon's at Canary Wharf where the majority of us enjoyed a well-earned curry.

Photos by Bola

  


A Lambeth Walk and Country Show, Saturday 15th July 2017

Report awaited from the leader 


Mile End to Greenwich, Thursday 13th July 2017

20 walkers, 6 miles - leader Lornica Vanclay

20 of us in total strolled through the overgrown Mile End cemetery, along the Limehouse Cut then down through the Isle of Dogs with a little loop round once in Greenwich  to make sure it was 6 miles!  The refreshment - at guess where? Great company and pleasant weather.  What is not to like!

Photos by Ian Fairweather

 
 

Slightly less boring trail, Tuesday 11th July 2017

1 walker, 15 miles - leader Julie Welch

No one else turned up - no report 


A day at the seaside, Saturday 8th July 2017

? walkers, 18.5 miles - leader David Strachan

Report awaited from the leader 


Eels, Marbles and Brooks, Thursday 6th July 2017

8 walkers, 9 miles  - leader Jerome Ripp

Start 6.00 finish 9.00

Two first-timers and a handful of faithful regulars set out from Twickenham station on a very hot and sultry evening. A storm seemed to threaten but did not develop and it did get slightly fresher over the walk. The first 2 named highlights were rather non-events as Eel-pie island is private and once over the bridge there is only about 200 metres before the lane finishes and one has to return. Marble hill park is very beautiful but I had chosen the one night in the year when it is closed to the public as a rather noisy charity concert event was taking place and the locked gates and security guards did not suggest that it was worth taking any risks. Along the Thames to Richmond then up Richmond hill and into the park. Surprisingly quiet for such a lovely summer evening as we crossed to the east to join the Beverly Brook, the 3rd named highlight, which fortunately was flowing in good spirits. The leaders attempts to meet the 10% rule with some off-piste loops on Barnes common were to no avail and everyone made it to Putney Bridge where some dodgy characters made a Rocket for the nearest WS. An enjoyable evening for my 75th London group lead.

   


St Albans Peripherique, Saturday 1st July 2017


14 walkers 20 miles - leader Jerome Ripp

Start 9.00 Finish 16.36 No stiles!

Our circuit of St Albans headed west to the Cathedral to view Roman stones in the tower and the Victorian monstrosity in the front. A brief explanation of the architecture was provided by one of the 3 local experts who were fortuitously on the walk. Culturally invigorated we skirted the edge of the Roman Verulamium and then north to view the estate of Childwickbury, where film director Stanley Kubrick resided and still home to his widow. A big Art fair was on but we decided to skip this and now on the Herfordshire way reached Sandridge for a loo and tea/coffee stop.Through Symondshyde Great wood, passing ominous signs saying No to some proposed building developments and then into Hatfield Aerodrome which is now a vast nature reserve with many paths. A picnic lunch in the middle of this impressive renovation gave us the opportunity to reflect on the glorious past of this area, the home of De Havilland aircraft and the 2 famous acting sisters who were cousins of the flying ace. It seemed very fitting that today was the birthday of Olivia De Havilland still in the news at the age of 101. A brief stretch on the Alban Way disused railway with the imaginative and humorous signs of Nast Hyde station. Pub stop at the Crooked Billet Colney Heath and then the Watling Chase trail following the upper river Colne and the many artificial lakes. After London Colney, local knowledge lead us along permissive paths around the old mental hospital area of Napsbury park, across the golf course and back to the station along another short section of Alban way. Weather conditions were ideal for the walk, there were no head bangers and unusually for this leader, no one was lost or abandoned. Pure luck really!

  

 


Discover two of London's forgotten rivers and Cigarette Island, Wednesday 28th June 2017

8 walkers, 8 miles - leaders John & Gail Elrick

Eight walkers covered the eight miles walk which entailed following the Rivers Mole and Ember through East Molesey and a stretch through Home Park to finish at Kingston.  At the halfway point, Cigarette Island, we stopped to partake of party cake with green icing donated by John and Gail's neighbour, a professional cake maker!

   

 


Midsummer sunrise to sunset challenge walk, Saturday 24th June 2017

6 walkers 41 miles - leader Colin Saunders

On Saturday 24 June (Midsummer Day), six people joined me at sunrise (04.44) at North Greenwich station, which for me counted as a resounding success - I didn't think anyone else would be mad enough and had been fully prepared to
walk alone.  The others were Gavin Adlington, Maria Cascella, Linda Pan, Francis Thomason and Julie Welch, and we collected Ron Williamson at TowerBridge.  It turned out to be a sort of luxury version of a challenge walk,
with quite lengthy stops for breakfast at the Lord Moon of the Mall inWhitehall and morning coffee at the Rocket by Putney Bridge (both Wetherspoons), the Greyhound near Kew Bridge for a pub lunch and a kiosk in Canbury Gardens, Kingston,for afternoon tea and cake.  However, a good pace was kept up in between.  There was some excitement at Richmond where an abnormally high tide had flooded the riverside - some of us adventurously waded through in bare feet while the others made a diversion.  Unfortunately Ron had to retire unwell there, then Maria at Hampton Court with a bad ankle.  The rest of us made it by sunset (21.22) to a pub on the outskirts of Weybridge at 41 miles, for taxi to the station, while Francis had pushed on ahead to reach Weybridge station itself at 42 miles.  Everyone agreed that it had been a remarkable experience and should become an annual event.

   

 


The "Tring Ring", Saturday 24th June 2017

7 walkers, 21 miles  - leader Jerome Ripp

Start 9.00 finish 5.23  3 stiles; 900 feet of ascent.
A cooler day after the recent heatwave gave us ideal walking conditions. The morning section followed the Ridgeway / Icknield Way with some glorious views over Tring park and beyond Tring to the northern chilterns. We passed a few colourful signs warning that HS2 will destroy the idyllic beauty of this area. Lunch in Wendover provided a variety of options including a very good local coffee shop Rumsey’s. The longer afternoon section contained several loops in the woods above Wendover leading to a refreshing drink/ice cream stop in the woods just beyond the “Gruffalo”. Gradually descending from the hills with a spectacular view to Ivinghoe Beacon and then a final section beside quiet reflective waterways and reservoirs back to Tring station. A well behaved group with no yo-yo in sight."

   

 


Regent's Park to Westminster, Wednesday 21st June 2017

14 walkers 9 miles - leader Alan Laycock

Thanks to late train cancellations by Southern Fail, the leader was 15 minutes late arriving at Regents Park UG Station, however Adam was able to send a 'round robin' e-mail to the London Group so all 14 walkers were waiting patiently when I arrived.

So on a Hot Summer's Night with temperatures not dipping below 30 degrees we set off to wander through some of the best parks that London (or any other city) has to offer. The walk passed through Regents Park along the canal to Little Venice then passing the new developments in Paddington Basin. The route then took us through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park & St James Park before arriving in Whitehall just before 9:00pm

 

   

 


Underneath the Arches with the Crazy Gang (Balcombe to Haywards Heath), Saturday 17th June 2017

20 walkers, 21 miles - leader Keith Lane

I was disappointed when I saw the Gang of 20 at Balcombe station.  We didn't look crazy at all (well, no more than long distance walkers normally look).  Maybe, I thought we would look wide-eyed and crazy when we finally got to Haywards Heath after rolling through rolling countryside in near 30C temperatures.  However, we disappointed once again by looking not a lot different than when we left Balcombe (maybe a trifle more sweaty).

The route took us past Balcombe Lake and a rest stop at West Hoathly half way to the lunch stop at Horsted Keynes.  After the tea stop at Ardingly Reservoir we passed under the Viaduct.  My attempts to persuade members of the group to be Anthony Gormley-like statutes on the plinths failed miserably but I think all appreciated the Victorian masterpiece.

After another 6 miles 17 of us reached Haywards Heath Station just after 18:00 through fields with very little shade.

Report & photos by Keith Lane

  

 


Regents Canal Limehouse to Baker Street, Wednesday 14th June 2017

10 walkers, 6.5 miles - leader Charles O'Toole

Ten people started from limehouse at 18.00 and all except one peeled off along the way. Finished  at chalk farm at 20.45.  6.5 miles

 


Sea Salt and Saxons, Saturday 10th June 2017

14 walkers, 21 miles - leader Ron Williamson

A delightful Essex summer morning greeted the group as we alighted at a deserted Hatfield Peverel station. Away sharply at 9:40, we were quickly into the local countryside passing the first of many    D of E groups that we were to encounter in the next two hours. The lack of facilities at the station became the excuse for an early break at Paper Mill Lock, a very popular and pleasant spot.

A brief encounter with the tow path was then followed by a steady climb through luxuriant forest towards the fascinating sounding Twitty Fee. Across an unusually welcoming golf course and in no time we had completed nine miles which happened to coincide with our arrival at The Cat, a country pub with convivial garden. Suitably refreshed and in high spirits the next few miles flew past and on arrival at the historic town of Maldon 30 minutes was allocated to enable members to soak up some of the local culture.  The vast majority, however, misunderstood this intention and decided that the best culture was served in the local Wetherspoons.

With the time now 15:00 and still only half way, a more determined approach needed to be applied to the afternoons walking, fortunately our route did not pass any serious distractions and we arrived at Witham station just as the 18:30 arrived to speed us home.

An enjoyable walk in perfect conditions, no difficulties with footpaths well maintained throughout. Recommended especially if you can find such good company.

Report by Ron Williamson

Photos by Ron Williamson and Roderick Smith

  


Beverley Brook Walk, Tuesday 6 June 2017

10 walkers, 8 miles - leader Peter Aylmer

Nine regulars were joined by one new walker, Jane. She was a little concerned whether she could keep up but we later hear that's she's a triathlon regular, so no surprises that she reached the end with much in hand. 

Beverley Brook is a little Thames tributary rises which in Worcester Park but the walk itself starts a little to the north, at New Malden. We first find the brook in a mean little concrete culvert beneath a little bridge just north of the A3, but things do get better as the stream flows busily through Wimbledon Common and then Richmond Park, where a brief heavy shower has us scurrying for the waterproofs. We're pushed off on to roads around the back of East Sheen and find ourselves dallying unwontedly at a level crossing outside Barnes station where no fewer than four trains pass before the barriers lift. We catch another glimpse of the brook on Barnes Common before joining it on Putney Lower Common - one of the wildest places in inner London - for its last few hundred yards to the Thames. Strangely, the brook is narrower here than back in Richmond Park. Just an easy stroll now, past the Thames boathouses to Putney Bridge. For the finish I chose the rather sweet Eight Bells pub, round the corner from Putney Bridge tube, but it was rather crowded and strangely a splinter group headed back over the bridge, muttering something about Wetherspoons.

  


The Egham Circuit, Saturday 3rd June 2017

13 walkers, 20 miles - Leader Nigel Heys

The lucky 13 left Egham Station at 9 am heading up to the Air Force Memorial. The early start meant it was closed so we could not go up the tower to see the view of the Thames Valley. We then headed to the Savill Garden entrance to Windsor Great Park, then past the Obelisk to view the totem pole. We wandered through the remaining azaleas and rhododendrons to Virginia Water. Our morning break was by the lake before we headed to the Copper Horse and the view of Windsor Castle.  The first part of the route to Windsor from there was off the Long Walk and we saw deer and a bird of prey and a crow duelling in mid-air. The suggested lunch stop in Windsor was Wetherspoon's Windelsora but some picnicked and used cafes. In the afternoon we headed along the Thames Path to Runnymede where most used the National Trust cafe before viewing the Magna Carta Memorial. It was then back to the Thames Path then into Egham reaching the station just as the London train pulled in.

Photos by Keith Lane

  


Caterham Cloudsplitter, Thursday 1st June 2017

13 walkers, 18 miles - Leader Ken Fancett

The walk is one that I had designed myself to make maximum use of the open areas owned or managed by City of London Corporation, Borough of Croydon and Tandridge District. I also chose it because I love the chalkscape of the area and wished to share the pleasure it gives me with other members. As the title suggests much of it was on relatively high ground. It didn't follow promoted routes though from time to time promoted routes were following us.

There were 13 of us on the walk including me. Fortunately there were no train delays and the car parking suggestion apparently worked well, so we were able to start promptly at 11:00 and after a short morning section of 6.3 miles, we arrived at our lunch stop at 13:10.

We had a relatively long afternoon section of 12.6 miles which we started at 14:10. By the time we reached Kenley it was getting very warm (the Met Office had promised us 22C) and the long climb over the Common to the airfield, and some of the later climbs, felt quite exhausting in the warm weather. However we reached our finish point in Caterham about 18:40. The paths were reasonably dry and there were no unpleasant surprises.

I hope that everybody enjoyed the walk as much as I did. If anyone wants to know exactly where they walked I can supply a gpx file. 

Photos by Paul Lawrence

 


Crystal Palace to Erith, Saturday 27th May 2017

11 walkers, 19 miles - Leader Marita Sanders

Eleven of us began the walk.   Minna and Rachel did just the morning section of about 12 miles to the lunch stop at Oxleas Wood, as they each had other commitments in the afternoon.   That worked out with transport links.   
The nine of us who completed the walk on to Erith included two ladies who have just joined the LDWA, who both commented positively. 

 


Oakwood Odyssey, Tuesday 23rd May 2017

5 walkers, 6.5 miles - Leader Colin Saunders

Start and finish Oakwood station Circular from Oakwood
** Extra details: 'Walk 7 miles through lovely Trent Park, visiting the hockey club, the obelisk, eerie Camlet Moat, the Japanese water garden and the mansion, then either return to Oakwood or optional diversion beside Merryhills Brook to the Jolly Farmers pub at Frog’s Bottom for a meal.'

Colin Saunders comments...Only 5 of us I'm afraid and a few apologies for absence.  Maybe it was too far out for those having to work.  Distance was 6.5 miles.

No problems on the walk, though instead of going to the Jolly Farmers afterwards as advertised we decided to go to Wetherspoons New Crown in Southgate, courtesy of Paul Lawrence's car.

Photos by Paul Lawrence


 

Wimpole, Royston Circular, Saturday 20th May 2017

14 walkers, 20 miles - Leader Roderick Smith

A group of 14 assembled at Royston Station, leaving there at 0955 to walk south into the town and west to leave the town.  Turning north-west we crossed the railway line and the Royston by-pass followed by several large fields to reach Litlington.  The village church contained a memorial window for a US Air Force Squadron based nearby.  On via Down Hall Farm to Abington Pigotts for coffee at the Pig & Abbot.  Under-used footpaths via Shingay took us to Croydon where the village church had a memorial tablet to the Downing family, an interesting window featuring Judas, and in the churchyard, a more recent burial, Colin Pillinger of Beagle 2 fame.  2pm arrival at Wimpole Hall for a sandwich lunch, before a heavy shower.  One person decided to walk a slightly longer route home to Cambridge, but another caught the group having been delayed by traffic from joining at the start.  Headed south through the 2-mile Bridgeman avenue, originally of elm trees, now comprising several hundred limetrees, and then on the Harcamlow Way via Whaddon and Ermine Street back to Royston Station.  A brisk pace covering 31kms, slightly less than 20 miles, in just under 7 hours including an hour for all stops. 

Report & Photos by Roderick Smith

 


Boston Manor to Hammersmith,  Tuesday 16th May 2017

8 walkers, 7 miles - Leader Rob Myers

Report awaited from Leader


Rivers & Parks, Saturday 13th May 2017

15 Walkers, 21 Miles – Ldr. Alan Laycock

Start Time 9:15am, Finish Time 16:15pm

In overcast conditions 15 walkers assembled at Weybridge Station.  From the station we joined the River Wey Towpath for about a mile and then the Thames Path, and continually dodging cyclists, headed towards Hampton Court stopping at Elmbridge Leisure Centre ‘en route’ for a quick drinks break.

We navigated the golf course in Home Park without incident and arrived in Canbury Gardens for lunch in cold and windy conditions.

After lunch, and in improving weather conditions, we continued on the Thames Path to Ham and then into Richmond Park where our route took us through the spectacular Isobella Plantation and followed the Beverley Brook until we joined the Tamsin Trail between Roehampton and Sheen Gates.

Leaving the Park at Richmond Gate, we continued along the Thames Path to Richmond Green and the Station. 

GPX file of the route is below

Walkmeter-Walk-20170513-0914.gpx

 


Highgate Wood and Ally Pally, Wednesday 10th May 2017

18 walkers, 6 miles - Leader Charles O'Toole

18 people turned out and completed the walk which went as planned. A round walk via Cherry Tree Wood, Highgate Wood, Queens Wood and Alexandra Palace and back to East Finchley via the old railway line.  Six miles. Everyone happy.  Charles 
 
 
 
 
Photos by Paul Lawrence
 
 

London Countryway Starter - Gravesend to Borough Green, Saturday 6th May 2017

7 walkers, 18 miles - Supreme Leader Dave Williams

7 merry souls joined the stand-in leader at the very aptly named Gravesend for the 1st. 2 parts of the London Country  Way.

Unfortunately the first hour involved a dreary slog through this rather drab environment.

However salvation was at hand as once we reached Jeskyn's Country Park things greatly improved and after a brief refuelling stop at Cobham church we proceeded across numerous orchards & a short road section to reach our lunch stop, the Cock Inn at Henley St., where the undoubted highlight ( probably of the whole walk were some rather interesting pictures adorning the gentlemen's toilets ! )

After a rather prolonged break we plodded on, on the leader's improvised route & eventually reached Harvel for a brief water stop.

Onwards & we then managed to survive the biggest hazard of the day, a golf driving range, albeit more by luck than judgement!

After another detour due to an unauthorised path closure we then managed to survive the perils of another golf course & after reaching the rather delightful village of Platt, we had another stretch of fields to cross before the rather tedious slog along the road to finally reach Borough Green.

Sadly due to yet more incompetence from the leader, we just managed to miss the train but fortunately salvation was at hand at the local Co-op which provided us with ample refreshments.

Total distance covered was 18.7 mls. 

Photos by Sue Kahn


West London Parkland, Thursday 4th May

3 walkers 8.5 miles - Leader Jerome Ripp

2 intrepid ladies joined me for a brisk tour on a cold grey gloomy evening. From Twickenham station we went to view the mecca of rugby before joining the river Crane for a pleasant rural stretch, followed by Fulwell park, briefly on the London Loop and then a long tour around Bushy park with a brief stop to view the renovated water cascade and lake. Finish just before 9 at Kingston station.