Horsley circular

Jane Rosoux writes...

I attach photographs taken on the Joint Hampstead and Northwest London group 13.5 mile circular walk from Horsley on Sunday, 19th June led by Stephen Bird



[Stephen Bird is pictured Centre].


There were 17 of us in the party and we were fortunate with the weather. Stephen led us on an interesting route which started off by taking us past several 'Lovelace Bridges', which were constructed by the 1st Earl of Lovelace in 1860s in the hilly woods of his estate as part of a network of gently-graded tracks which were laid to facilitate the transport of timber on horse-drawn carts.




The lunch stop was in the very attractive village of Shere, the Parish Church of which is noted for the remains of an Anchoress' cell where Christine Carpenter was immured for several years in the 14th century. She had a squint built into the church wall so that she could see services and she was passed food and drink through the outer wall.

Wealdway- Buxted to Berwick

Jane Rosoux reports...

I attach photographs taken on my walk along the Wealdway from Buxted to Berwick Station on Saturday, 4th June.

There were 10 in the party at the start (plus a dog)...



and we were fortunate to have good weather for the walk - and dry conditions underfoot - because it ended up as 22.3 miles instead of the intended 20 miles as a result of a combination of navigational errors and footpath diversions.

We were somewhat behind schedule by the time we stopped for lunch at the 'Kings Head', East Hoathly at around 1.50 pm, where one member of the party dropped out, speeded up to some extent between there and Horesbridge Mill (on the northern edge of Hailsham), where a further three participants dropped out, and really pushed up the pace thereafter to arrive at Berwick Station at 7.05 pm.

Despite the distance it was an enjoyable day over gently undulating terrain with attractive villages, good views and mostly good paths.

Bluebells in the Chilterns

Jane Rosoux reports on last Friday's circular walk in the Chilterns....

"A party of 11 of us set out from Wendover Station on another lovely day and although the bluebells had come out early this year and many were past their best Joe Garver led us through a succession of woods where the bluebells were still putting on a good display....



"And at the lunch stop at 'The White Lion', Buckland Common the picnickers enjoyed an impressive display of buttercups....





[Walk leader Joe Garver, above, in the yellow shirt, in conversation with Angela]



[Wild Garlic was in great profusion too]



[Nearing Wendover at the end of a great day]

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More Sawbridgeworth Photos

Hampstead Rambler Heidi Whurr has sent us photographs previously. She sent me a selection just recently, and I have great pleasure in posting her images of the Joint Hampstead and Northwest London walk reported on below.









[All photos copyright Heidi Whurr]
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Sawbridgeworth Circular

Jane Rosoux reports on the May day 15 mile circular walk from Sawbridgeworth led by Stephen Bird....

"The weather was excellent and the ground was very dry. There were 11 of us in the party and we enjoyed an interesting walk led at a brisk pace with varied scenery. Our lunch stop was at the ancient village of Hatfield Broad Oak at 'The Cock Inn', which is very near the early medieval church. A highlight of the afternoon was the walk through Hatfield Forest."





Stephen Bird is pictured above left.

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Kings Langley with the Blind Ramblers.

Sunday saw Michael Way leading the now annual joint walk with Hampstead Group and the London Blind Ramblers. Michael's report follows...

"Excellent walk with the ever-expanding London Blind Ramblers – nearly 7-mile circular from Kings Langley with a picnic and a pint stop at the lovely green at Chipperfield...


Photo: Michael Way.

" Steve clocked us in at just under 2-1/2 miles an hour which was great



"As usual, London Midland did us proud with a last minute shortage of over-time drivers. So only a train an hour. The cafes at Euston did well out of us



"As to numbers, 8 (including a guest) from Hampstead, 17 from the Blind Ramblers (including several sighted people fortunately). That makes 25.


Michael is at far right.
Photo: Steve Ripley.


Peter and his Guide Dog Dexter..
Photo: Steve Ripley.




Photo: Michael Way.

"Next year, same route (by popular demand) March 25th 2012"

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Tattenham Corner

Jane Rosoux writes...
"I attach photographs taken on last Sunday's ramble from Tattenham Corner.The leader, Jerry O'Connor led a party of 12 on a circuitous, but attractive, route





"across Epsom Racecourse and then across the M25 onto the North Downs to our lunch stop at 'The Cock Inn' at Headley, somewhat later than planned because the going was very wet and slippery. Those who did not go into the pub ate their sandwiches in the church porch and were glad of the shelter because the morning sunshine was replaced by overcast skies and persistent rain. I fell full length in the mud and got covered with the stuff from head to foot



"but even those who managed to stay upright ended up with very muddy trouser legs.





"Instead of returning to Tattenham Corner we finished the walk at Tadworth Station, but despite having only covered 15 miles the conditions underfoot were such that it felt like 18 miles!

Best wishes,
Jane
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West Hornden Circular

"I attach photographs taken on Stephen Bird's circular walk from West Hornden on Sunday, 30th January.

"Six of us went on the walk and were fortunate that the weather was dry. The lunch stop was at Herongate, at the 'Green Man' and the distance covered was 12 miles.

"I am afraid that none of the photographs are very interesting - the skies were very overcast for most of the day and the vegetation lacked colour.

"Although we returned to West Hornden Station before 4.00 pm and had hoped to get home at a reasonably early hour it was not to be because damaged overhead cables meant that there were no trains at all on the line for nearly two hours and when a train did finally arrive it turned round at Barking, leaving us to stand around on a chilly platform for another lengthy period.

"Such is life...."

Lewes Circular

I attach photographs taken on Clare Kirkbride's circular walk from Lewes on Saturday, 29th January.

Six of us went on the walk and were fortunate that the weather was dry. Engineering works and a rail replacement bus service between Three Bridges and Haywards Heath meant that only three participants were with Clare at the start but two others joined the party at Glynde where we had an early lunch stop at the 'Trevor Arms'. We also had a tea stop at Rodmell, at 'The Abergavenny Arms' and, in between, had a look at the wall paintings in Southease Church. Once back in Lewes, and in fading light, Clare showed Tokiko and me the remains of the Priory of St Pancras, which were fascinating. In the end the distance we covered was around 13 miles.

London Parks in the Snow...

Earlier last year I published some Photographs by Stella Stocker. I have pleasure in showing some more this year! These photos were actually taken on December the 19th, on a walk through London Parks, Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath, as Stella says, "with massive snow".









All the above images are copyright Stella Stocker.

Chesham to Rickmansworth

Jane Rosoux Reports...
" I attach photographs taken on Jerry O'Connor's walk from Chesham to Rickmansworth on Sunday, 16th January.

"Ten of us went on the walk and were fortunate that the weather was largely dry. The lunch stop was at Flaunden, at the 'Green Dragon' and the distance covered was 16.5 miles."

Tonbridge to Ashurst. The Wealdway.

Jane Rosoux reports:
"I attach photographs taken on my walk along the Wealdway from Tonbridge to Ashurst on Saturday, 15th January.

"Six of us went on the walk and were fortunate that the weather was dry, although it was fairly slippery underfoot from rain the previous week, which slowed our progress. The lunch stop was at Speldhurst, at the 'Green Dragon', and the distance covered was 11 miles.

"The skies were very overcast and the vegetation lacked colour, although some of the buildings we passed were attractive."