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."