Five Peaks Walk

Jane Rosoux writes....

"I attach a few photographs of the Tumulus on Hampstead Heath, the Alexandra Palace section of the Parkland Walk and Alexandra Palace itself for your Rambling On blog.

These were all passed on Robin Midwinter's walk from Regent's Park Station to Alexandra Palace Station on Saturday, 27th February. The morning was overcast and drizzly and not good for photography. It was also very wet and muddy underfoot as a result of the rain on Friday and overnight.

Nevertheless, Robin had 9 other participants at one time or another. He led a convoluted route which went via Regent's Park and Primrose Hill to enter Hampstead Heath near Gospel Oak Station.



[The Tumulus, probably a Neolithic burial mound...]



[....Certainly the oldest man-made feature on the Heath]

He then went via Parliament Hill, the Tumulus, Viaduct Pond, the Vale of Health Pond, Whitestone Pond, West Heath (the Pergola was closed for repairs) and Golders Hill Park. Lunch was taken at 'The Old Bull and Bush'. After lunch he crossed Sandy Heath to the 'Spaniards Inn', entered Kenwood by Ikin Gate and left it by Millfield Gate then went along Fitzroy Park to Highgate and through Highgate Wood to the Parkland Walk...





...then via Alexandra Palace, where a motorbike show was taking place, to Alexandra Palace Station.



[Robin Midwinter, the walk leader, on the Parkland Walk.]

The total distance was around 11 miles."

Many Thanks to Jane for the report and the photos.

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Haywards Heath Circular

Jane Rosoux Reports

"I attach photographs taken yesterday on the 18 mile circular walk from Haywards Heath led by Clare Kirkbride.

Seven of us set out from Haywards Heath Station around 9.10 am. There should have been an eighth member of the party but he missed the train from Victoria Station because of problems with his ticket. We headed north and were soon in open country. There were still traces of frost on the ground and the sky was almost cloudless.



There was also virtually no wind to ruffle the water of Ardingly Reservoir, parts of which was covered by a thin layer of ice. As we skirted round the north bank of the reservoir we passed a lone fisherman and several swans. We then headed west through Balcombe towards our lunch stop at Handcross / Nymans.



On the way we went along an 'unadopted' road and passed aerials disguised as trees...



and signs on a telegraph pole warning of unusual wildlife!...



By then the sky had begun to cloud over but on our return to Haywards Heath, which was largely via the High Weald Landscape Trail, we passed through the very attractive villages of Bolney (where we admired the interesting architecture) and Cuckfield (where we stopped for refreshments). Although there had been no hills to speak of most of the paths were very muddy and we arrived back at Haywards Heath Station at 5.35 pm tired but happy."



Many thanks Jane.

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A Midwinter Walk

Jane Rosoux writes...

"Unfortunately, I noticed too late that the batteries have gone in my camera and I was unable to take any photographs of Robin Midwinter's circular walk from Golders Green on Wednesday. There were 10 participants and Robin led us on a circuitous walk across Hampstead Heath Extension to Hampstead Garden Suburb and Big Wood then via a different part of the Extension to Spaniards Road to enter Kenwood by Ikin Gate.

"From there he went to the source of the River Fleet (or rather Highgate brook) and followed the brook to Parliament Hill Fields. From there he went via Parliament Hill to Whitestone Pond then down to the Bull and Bush / Golders Hill Park cafe for the lunch stop after 6 miles.

"After lunch there was just a mile to go. We went through the Hill Garden to the Pergola (which was closed for repairs) then through Golders Hill Park back to Golders Green Station.

"The weather was cold and there were a few flakes of snow so for your blog I attach some photographs of Hampstead Heath and Kenwood which I took on the 6th January 2010..."