Guildford Circular

Jane Rosoux writes

"I attach photographs taken on Sunday's 10.5 mile circular walk from Guildford led by Barbara Luke from which to make a selection for the Rambling On blog. As you see the snow had largely disappeared and what was left was fairly slushy and not as slippery as Barbara had feared.







"But there was still enough snow to be fairly scenic and the weather was quite good - cold and dry with sunny intervals. The trains were running to a special timetable in order to ensure that they were in the correct places for Monday morning but three of us caught the 09.30 (the one specified in the programme) and enjoyed a smooth, trouble-free journey.




"Those who decided not to join us missed an enjoyable walk over varied and attractive terrain with a lunch stop at Chilworth, where we warmed up at the hospitable Percy Arms. There were four trains an hour back to London and after looking at the market stalls on the bridge near the station we caught a fast train at 16.05."



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AGM and Mystery Walk

Last Saturday saw two dozen Ramblers convening in Kentish Town for our 27th Annual General Meeting...



Coffee and croissants fuelled some lively debate...





and the meeting was followed by a Mystery Walk through Kentish Town, Hampstead Heath, Highgate, Highgate Wood and then Alexandra Palace.











The walk finished at Turnpike Lane as the light was failing fast.

Many Thanks from all of us to Maija and Margaret for organising the food and drink and to Jane for leading the walk.

Magical Mystery Tour......

All Hampstead Group members are reminded that our group Annual General Meeting is this Saturday.

Coffee and croissants will be served beforehand. Then after the AGM business, we will embark on a mystery walk. This will be average paced, less than ten miles, and will have a lunch stop where food can be bought.

The AGM will be held on Saturday, 20th November, at 11 a.m.

Venue: St. Patrick's Primary School, Holmes Road, Kentish Town, NW5 3AH

Hope you can make it....

Gravesend Circular

I take pleasure in passing on this report from Michael Way, who co-led this walk with Olga Way last Sunday.

"Ten of us including members from Finchley, Amersham and Richmond,braved a
quite ghastly day for the 7 - 1/2 Thames-side walk from Gravesend on Sunday Nov 14.

"It started drizzly, brightened a little at lunchtime, then poured down all
afternoon . Everyone seemed to enjoy it, even the lady in shoes.

"Picture 1 shows some of us at Gravesend Pier, the oldest wrought-iron pier
in the world;



"Pictures 2 and 3 are at the 19th century fort on the Thames built
(successfully) to keep Napoleon out....







"and Picture 4, some graceful scenes as
we clamber over a fallen tree completely blocking the path...



"I have reported it it (with this picture) to Kent County Council.

"There are by the way lots of trains to Gravesend and back on Sundays.

"Michael and Olga Way".

Many Thanks Michael

Christ's Hospital to Pulborough

Jane Rosoux writes...
"I attach photographs taken on Sunday's 12-mile walk along the West Sussex Literary Trail from Christ's Hospital to Pulborough led by Gill Henderson.



















"The weather was good and our party of 10 enjoyed attractive scenery and good autumn colours, particularly after our lunch stop, which was at the Blue Idol, Coolham, a Quaker Meeting House established by William Penn."

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Borough Green to Tonbridge

Jane Rosoux writes...

"I attach photographs taken on Saturday's 14-mile walk along the Wealdway from Borough green to Tonbridge from which you can make a selection for the Rambling On blog.

" Larger versions of the better photographs have been uploaded to the Web Album, which can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/104912253965949195193/


"Four of us enjoyed autumn sunshine and colours on a varied walk with a lunch stop at the attractive village of West Peckham.















Many Thanks as always to Jane for the report and the excellent pictures.

Hampstead Ramblers enjoy the Autumn colours

I recently received these photos from Stella Stocker, taken last Sunday in the Dorking Area. Many thanks Stella.

All such contributions will be gratefully received.



















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Guildford Circular

I attach photographs taken on Sunday's circular walk from Guildford led by Gary and Eladia Cleary from which you can make a selection for the Rambling On blog. As on Saturday the weather was very good and a party of 15



(including members of the North West London Group) was taken along a delightful route past St Martha's Church, with its excellent views, to Aldbury for our lunch stop where some of us picnicked outside the church and others went to the pub.




In the afternoon we walked through heathland to join the River Wey navigation near St Catherine's Lock. Whilst walking along the towpath we were passed twice by a steam-powered boat called 'Grace'.



Three of us climbed up St Catherine's Hill to see the chapel and enjoy the views but we arrived back at Guildford Station all too soon.

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Hampden Park Circular

Jane Rosoux writes

"I attach photographs taken on Saturday's walk from Hampden Park from which you can make a selection for the Rambling On blog.

"The weather was lovely and a party of eight set out from Hampden Park Station led by Clare Kirkbride. Because of a recent burst sewer beneath the section of the Cuckoo Trail Clare had been planning to use she had to make last-minute changes to the route but it did not spoil a delightful day out on the expansive marshland of the Pevensey Levels. We enjoyed the sights of huntsmen and hounds returning from a morning's hunting

,

"a scarecrow (a relatively uncommon sight these days)



"and the distant sight of the main Herstmonceaux observatory.







"Instead of returning to Hampden Park, we ended the walk at Polegate Station tired but happy."

Many Thanks Jane.

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Enfield Lock via Epping Forest to Chingford

After the deluge of the last few days Sunday dawned with clear patches of blue sky and NO RAIN!

Of course, nothing runs perfectly. I awoke at 5.30 this morning to discover that the Victoria Line was suspended. I duly took the Tube Replacement bus to Tottenham Hale only to be confronted by every Rambler's most persistent nightmare....





Some people had obviously been waiting for quite a while...




Sometimes I think there is a conspiracy against travelling at the weekend. As things worked out I arrived at the start of the walk by another train and only 3 or 4 minutes behind schedule.

Sadly I suspect the train problems and weather combined had deterred most walkers. Hardy only had two of us on his walk, though at least it ensured we kept to the brisk pace advertised.

Early on we encountered some horses which had obviously shrunk in the rain...



We managed to avoid the perils of flying Golf balls...



and Fly Agaric hallucinations...



The highlight was the atmospheric stockade of Loughton Camp....



[The Intrepid Trio at Loughton Camp. From Left,Hardy, Selinda and myself.]

We headed into the West alongside Connaught Water, happy with nine miles walked and the sunshine breaking out once more. Many thanks Hardy.



UPDATE: 10.30 p.m. Hardy has sent me the following message:

"I reconnoitred the walk from Enfield Lock to Chingford 6 times before I decided on the exact route and finally led it. The first half is through fields, over a few hills and the flood-plain of River Lee. The second part through Epping Forest is glorious, especially the section through Loughton Camp.

The weather was not as glorious as the views and Train cancellations must also have put some people off, but it was disappointing that only two other people turned up. I would have been happier if there had been more walkers benefitting from my labour of love."

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