Walk Reports and Photos 2017 (Sep- Dec)
Jingle all the way, Hammersmith to Limehouse, Saturday 23rd December 2017
13 walkers, 17 miles - leader Chris Hedley
The Thames Down Link, Saturday 16th December 2017
20 walkers, 18 miles - leader Keith Lane
The Thames Down Link starts at the mouth of the Hogsmill river as it flows into the Thames at Kingston and finishes at Boxhill and Westhumble Station after approximately 18 miles.
It can be divided into three sections:
- The first follows the Hogsmill river upstream.
- The second is defined by where the Link leaves the river just before Horton Country Park and onto Epsom Common, Ashford Common, and Ashtead Hall Park where there is a nature reserve.
- The third follows Stane Street which is a bridle way following the line of the Roman road which joins up with the present A24 at the foot of Boxhill.
20 walkers met at Kingston station on a freezing but sunny morning and walked through the Market Square now unfortunately spoilt by modern paving and viewed Clattern Bridge which is the oldest bridge in Surrey and the Coronation Stone which currently stands in the grounds of the Guildhall.
At about halfway, lunch was at or near the Cricketers Public House on Epsom Common which was not an ideal venue due to the lack of seating outside but we coped. As the afternoon wore on the weather turned warmer and hence the mud muddier but good time was made and having passed Boxill & Westhumble Station we reached Dorking station via Denbies Vineyard in time for the 16:26 train.
Report & photo by Keith Lane
Dome to Dock, Wednesday 13th December 2017
Leader Ian Fairweather
Unfortunately no one tirned up to join Ian and therefore the walk was cancelled
Saxon Shore backwards, Saturday 9th December 2017
Report & photos by Peter Aylmer
Hills of the North, Wednesday 6th December 2017
17 walkers, 11 miles - leader Ron Williamson
Start 11:00 Finish 15:45
A cheerful band of Pop Uppers came from far and wide to experience the delights of a classic London walk.
Members from as far afield as Brighton, Southend and Harlow assembled on the main concourse of Kings Cross station with the objective of making their way through North London to a destination at Wood Green. The route was satisfying throughout as we travelled via Regent’s Canal, Camden Town, Primrose Hill, Crouch End, Parliament Hill, West Hill Highgate, Queens Wood, Highgate Wood and Alexandra Palace.
A spring In everyone’s step, with the exception of a sloper who abandoned ship at Highgate, saw the miles fly past and the uphill sections become a joy to behold rather than a cross to bear.
Refreshments on route at Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace added to the jovial spirit and it is with the same spirit that a decision has been made to not name and shame our sloper on this occasion.
Report by Ron Williamson
Photo by Keith Lane
Osterley - Hampton Court, 3rd December 2017
24 walkers, 16 miles - leader Dave Williams
After a not so brief stop in Syon Park we reached lunch at Richmond where we had 2 departures although this was offset by the arrival of the ubiquitous Mr. Dent who kept us amused with his usual antics !
Report by Dave Williams
Leith Hill Wander, 25th November 2017
17 walkers, 18 miles - leader Nigel Heys
Sixteen walkers braved the frost to reach Dorking Station to explore the back alleys of Dorking on their way to The Nower. The first photo shows us at The Temple there where a seventeenth affected by train cancellations awaited us. From there we headed up to Simons Copse for a drink break with the target Leith Hill visible on the skyline. Suitably refreshed we went down to the valley before starting the long steady climb to Leith Hill.
Since it was clear and sunny we admired the view (second photo) before descending along the Greensand Way to Holmbury St. Mary where people either picnicked or used the newly reopened King's Head for lunch (muddy boots welcome).
The afternoon route was through Abinger Common across to Wotton with its isolated church before climbing up to the North Downs Way. We used the Way to Ranmore Common with views of Dorking in the valley below.
The final stretch back to Dorking Station was through Denbies Vineyard, the largest in England, but all the grapes had been harvested.
Report by Nigel Heys
Photos by Nigel Heys & Keith Lane
Otford Circular, Saturday 18th November 2017
19 miles, 20 walkers - leader Helen Franklin
20 walkers left Otford 2 dropped out (1 literally).
Photos
Visit to Bough Beech Reservoir, Saturday 11th November 2017
19 miles, 6 walkers - leader Jerome Ripp
The Weather forecast of heavy rain all day may have been a factor in the reduced numbers but apart from some light early drizzle and grey low clouds, the day was perfectly good for walking. The Eden Valley Walk was followed from Edenbridge, the promised castle, Hever, was shrouded in murk and gloom, the promised nature reserve seemed to be an imaginary one but fortunately Bough Beech Reservoir was still in evidence although looking quite short of water as we gazed on it from the eastern hillside. A 2 minute vigil at 11 and then an off piste section where those of us who had not been in the boy scouts were shown how to climb over a gate. The Greensand way lead us to lunch at the Community shop at Ide Hill with another view of the reservoir. The afternoon section took us along quiet country lanes and tracks via the NT area of Crockham Grange and the Vanguard way back to Edenbridge with skies brightening finally for a vivid sunset.
Report by Jerome Ripp
An Ecclesiastical Odyssey, Wednesday 8th November 2017
11 miles, 22 walkers - leader Ron Williamson
Start 11:05 Finish 17:00
A large turnout of members gathered outside Barbican station with a challenge to follow the idiosyncrasies of an aged walker. Some 6 hours latter most had completed the task but probably not too certain as to where their roving had taken them. Thanks to discipline and dogged determination, however, the group had managed to visit all 58 sites listed in The Friends of London Churches literature and explored in greater depth 10 of the churches.
Once again London had revealed more of its wonderful treasures , and left us determined to make time to return and explore more fully.
We may have successfully negotiated the twists and turns of our route, but our electronic gadgets could not agree on how many miles had been completed with readings between 10 and 14 miles.
The distance quoted is, therefore, based on Ron’s law of thumb.
Some stats. For those interested in such things
Sites passed 58 (100%)
Of which extended visit (average 4 mins. ) 10
Named thoroughfares used 179
Significant changes of direction (intentional) 223
Significant changes of direction (unintentional) 2
Walkers lost and never found 0
Walkers sloping off 3
Challenge completed by 19
Finally look out for next year’s challenge when we seek to balance the spiritual and secular worlds by visiting 57 varieties of London watering holes. I am not sure what to recommend as a training syllabus but have been overwhelmed by those volunteering to join any free initiation programmes.
Photos by Keith Lane
O Captain, My Captain, Sunday 5th November 2017
20 miles, 13 walkers - leader Julie Welch
20 miles… plus a few more for the hard cases. 13 walkers convened at Upton Park on a lovely late autumn day to link the start and finish of the career of Bobby Moore, England’s only World Cup winning captain. At the West Ham end, we paused in Green Street to gaze upon the sad sight of the old Boleyn Ground, now a building site, and then, passing the statue of West Ham’s famous World Cup trio Moore, Hurst and Peters, with an add-on in the form of defender Ray Wilson, we detoured to ‘Flanders Field’, now a community run sports and social centre, to see the pitch where Bobby was discovered as a schoolboy in the 1950s by West Ham scout Wally St. Pierre (the name effortlessly remembered by stalwart West Ham fan Dave Williams). Then it was on to the Capital Ring and through the Woolwich foot tunnel to Greenwich for lunch.
The second part of the day took in the Thames Path south side, with several convenient bailing-out points for those who didn’t want to go quite the full distance. We enjoyed a lovely tea stop in the gloaming at the Riverside Café before crossing Vauxhall Bridge to the north side, by which time the fireworks were popping, the bridges were illuminated and the lights of London were reflected in the Thames – just beautiful.
The Flanders Field detour meant we had clocked up the full 20 miles by Chelsea Bridge, but three of us opted to go the distance and were rewarded by a wonderful moonlit panorama by the Thames, past Fulham Palace and through Bishop’s Park, to Fulham F.C.’s ground, Craven Cottage, where Bobby Moore finished his playing career.
Escape from Romford, Friday 3rd November 2017
11 miles, 11 walkers - leader Ron Williamson
"Autumn days fall by as fast as the leaves fall from the trees" how fortunate we were to spend one of those special days in the London countryside.
A journey from metropolitan Romford to the urban sprawl that surrounds Fairlop station can never have been so rewarding as we meandered through grassy meadows, wandered through ancient woodland , passed through open park land and found time to relax peacefully in the warm sunshine.
I can also report that after last weekend's mountaineering in Southend, bouldering skills have now become a requirement for London's aspiring walkers.
Photos by Ron Williamson & Godfrey O'Callaghan
West of Southend, Saturday 28th October 2017
18 walkers with only 9 finishers, 18 miles - leader Ron Williamson
The strange case of the missing walkers, the high-tech boot and the spooked pier.
A tough encounter with the barren, windswept, mountainous terrain of south east Essex resulted in a drop out rate of 50%,with the leader, despite his local knowledge, only just managing to limp home. New boots were destroyed by the demanding landscape and the pride dented of those who failed to reach the final destination.
Thankfully for those of us of a nervous disposition the pier was out of bounds due to an Halloween event, although some felt sure that they felt like Zombies.
The nine survivors continued the team building experience with fish and chips for supper before departing from Southend Central station.
All are welcome to join in next year's Southend expedition but a few sessions at Boot Camp might be required if you wish to complete the course.
Ron Williamson
Photos by Keith Lane
Kent Peaks - Ashford & Swale, Sunday 22nd October 2017
Photos
Escape from Dagenham, Friday 20th October 2017
A Mid Week Pop Up Daytime walk
14 miles, 11 Walkers - leader Ron Williamson
It was a dull, dank, dismal, day in Dagenham as eleven members embarked on our latest escapade.?Five and a half hours and fourteen miles later the escapees strode into the sun kissed suburban station of Upminster full of the joys of spring, and thankful that they had not gone back to sleep when they had woken earlier to the sound of rain being driven against the bedroom window.?In between the objectives had been fully met, good refreshment stops discovered, and great company enjoyed.
Photos by Bola
Docklands Exploration, Wednesday 11th October 2017
11 walkers, 8 miles - leader Colin Saunders
We reached Surrey Quays with no further misdirection and all remaining five went into the JDW. For the record, we started with 11 and finished with 5! I don't suppose there have been many if any evening walks that included a cruise!
Colin Saunders
Ps Nor 5 foxes being fed crisps by a solitary lady in the dark
Keith Lane (who also contributed the photograph)
London Parks Way in reverse (3/3). Hammersmith to Kingston, Saturday 7th October 2017
18 walkers, 22 miles - leader Rob Myers
Between the A12 and A127, Wednesday 4th October 2017
9 Walkers, 17 miles - leader Ron Williamson
Mid week daytime Pop Up
An excellent walk through Essex countryside at its best and then into the ancient woods of what was the Thorndon estate , now a country park.
An unexpected bonus was the free 20% extra courtesy of Network Rail. Thanks to Brian from Essex and his local knowledge for guiding us on an alternative route. Nearly 3 miles extra , still we were warned in the small print to be prepared for diversions.
The oasis was located at Herongate and four walkers located the Spoons near the finish.
Ron Williamson
Kent hills, gardens and views, Saturday 30th September 2017
23 walkers, 20 miles - leader Jerome Ripp
A large multi-national group assembled at Sevenoaks station for a semicircular route roughly to the west and south of the town. The first section took us to Dryhill nature reserve for a circuit, there were several of these events sprinkled throughout the day; there was some muttering about going round in circles but these had all been carefully planned by the leader to offer pleasure to the group. In this case, some fine views of the north downs. South to Sundridge and Emmetts garden. There are public footpaths which lead surreptitiously to the tea room but on this occasion we went in the main entrance and although it is members only, it seems that the National Trust are trying to be more inclusive and we were all allowed in.
The route became quite varied as we went over Toy's hill and Ide hill, the third hill was Octavia who of course was one of the NT founders and we had a break at her memorial seat with a fine view south. We continued on the Greensand way now with some rain to add to the 4 seasons effect that the weather provided.The plan has been to finish with a crossing of Knole park but in an attempt to avoid a short section of unpleasant road walking, the leader went for a promising short cut which developed into an illegal crossing of Beechmont bank which involved some exciting bundu-bashing and a change of plan. Sanity was restored and a final estate agent tour of miiiionaire properties lead to the station.
Another Wetherspoon Odyssey, Thursday 28th September 2017
6 walkers, 9 miles - leader Neil Cook
We left Bromley and following the Ravensbourne we headed towards Beckenham Place Park and after a mini detour we exited the park and onto the river pool and Lewisham and onto Greenwich for a well earned drink
High points of Kent (part 1), Saturday 24th September 2017
7 walkers, 21 miles - leader Peter Jull
An unintentional clash with the end of the Surrey Tops inevitably diminished numbers with several usual suspects Topsing it the day before or marshalling. So it was 7 (mostly Kent) that set out from Aylesford but including Topser Neal who had finished 50 miles after midnight, been home and slept and was back for more. Fields of vines had vineyard owner Rex inspecting trellising methods, varieties and tastes and then relating his findings. Ascending the North Downs scarp was the stiffest climb of the day but the top not the target Maidstone council highpoint. The Bell in Bredhurst was a tardis but we chose the garden for lunch. The day, betwixt enquinox and equilux was definitely more summer than autumn, ideal walking weather. Dip slope valleys were downed and upped before playing real life Frogger across the A249. On recconaisance, approaching from the unadvertised side, a figure in combat gear, mask and with long gun had been disconcertingly encountered in the woods. Apocolypse's organiser asked us to wait while 80 such airsoft combatants finished returning to base then escorted us along the bridlepath through their woods. In White Horse Wood country park the group were dragged away from the trigpointed and toposcoped viewpoint to gain a few more feet and reach a much less spectacular wooded glade but with bench for photograph. Target achieved it was downhill, steeply at first, back to the start. More vineyards on the run in had Rex salivating again. Commendations to Aylesford parish council for well maintained public conveniences conveniently placed.
Report & photos by Peter Jull
The Only Way is Up-per Norwood, Wednesday 13th September 2017
6 walkers, 6 miles - leader Ian Fairweather
There were six of us in total on the walk.
Evening weather fine.