Ore to Hastings

I attach photographs taken on the Hampstead Group 20 mile ramble from Ore to Hastings on Saturday, 29th May led by Clare Kirkbride.



[Clare is 2nd left].

There were only 5 in the party, possibly because of the long journey and a bad weather forecast, although in the event although there was some rain it was not too bad. The route we took was along the Saxon Shore Way to Fairlight Glen but avoiding the steep ups and downs in the Fire Hills. We then followed the Royal Millitary Canal to Winchelsea, stopping for lunch at the 'New Inn', and returned to Hastings via the 1066 Country Walk, stopping for tea at 'The Plough' at Westfield.

It was a strenuous but enjoyable day.






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Goring to Midgham

Jane Rosoux writes...

A party of eight of us enjoyed a 14 mile scenic walk through countryside which is hardly ever visited by the Hampstead Group or, indeed, by other London groups.



As you can see our route took us past picturesque buildings and through farmland and woodland at their most colourful, with yellow oil-seed rape and pale green barley in the fields and extensive displays of bluebells and white campion, some intermixed, as well as other flowers, in the many woodlands and along the field edges.


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On arriving at Midgham Station we had been planning to have a quick drink at a nearby pub whilst waiting for a train but Tim's timing was so perfect that we were able to board a train almost immediately.

Nutfield Circular via Outwood

Yesterday saw 9 ramblers joining Michael and Olga Way for an 8 1/2 mile walk in wonderful Surrey countryside.



[Michael is above, second left].

Although the day was somewhat overcast at first, the weather cleared and the rain held off.



[Surrey countryside at its best...]

We walked through a fine mixture of farmland and woodland. It was a day for tradition. We passed sheep dog trials...





And there was a cricket game taking place on the pitch at Outwood...



The focus of the walk was the windmill at Outwood, the oldest working post mill in the country. You can find out more by going to the link here



[Olga is pictured centre, in the pink top.]

The lunch stop included a quick drink in the 17th century Bell Inn, where the group were treated to a sighting of theatrical royalty in the form of Dame Judi Dench, a local resident.

There were plenty of wild flowers to be seen...



This is Lesser Stitchwort.

Even the local animals were friendly...



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Balcombe Circular

Jane reports from Wednesday's 12 mile circular walk led by Pat Hully...

"A party of seven of us enjoyed a walk through very attractive countryside and the many wild flowers we saw even included some early orchids...




as well as dandelions, bugles...



blubells and wild garlic...



Our morning route followed quiet footpaths past Little and Great Strudgate Farms and Chiddingly Farm to the picturesque village of West Hoathly for lunch.





We then followed the High Weald Landscape Trail to the eastern shore of Ardingly Reservoir where a flotilla of sailing dinghies added dashes of colour to the revervoir's waters....





Upon reaching Balcombe Mill we had a short, sharp climb out of the valley and found ourselves back at Balcombe Station all too soon."

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Princes Risborough circular

Yesterday nine of us joined June Craig for a brisk 12 mile walk around some fine Chiltern countryside.



[June is pictured above, extreme right.]

Despite a profusion of signposts June led us unerringly through fields and beech woods.





In the beech hangers wild garlic and native bluebells still carpeted the ground.



The lunchtime pub had a most unusual water feature in the duckpond...



Everyone had an enjoyable day. Well, almost everyone-



We got back to the station 5 minutes before our train. Sadly it wasn't the one we saw earlier in the afternoon, but you can't win 'em all....



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Capital Ring Section 3 - West Ham to Falconwood

Jane Rosoux reports...

"I attach photographs taken on Wednesday's 12 mile walk along the Capital Ring from West Ham to Falconwood led by Susan Holman. The weather was not too bad and nine joined Susan...



[Susan Holman is second left above.]

It was an interesting and varied route which followed a section of the Greenway...



...then turned south through Beckton District Park in which a tree trail is being established...



The walk passed the Royal Albert Dock, Galleons Reach and the end of the runway at London City airport...



Going south, we crossed the Thames at Woolwich, then via Sevendroog Castle



before reaching the welcome cafe at Oxleas Meadow from which, on a clear day, there is an extensive view across south-east London.

From there the route wound through the ancient Oxleas Wood to the end of this section at Falconwood Station."

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Chesham circular

Hampstead Ramblers trod boldly into May with two walks in two days.

On Saturday Gary and Eladia Cleary led a 10 mile walk around Chesham, the first of two walks in the Chilterns this weekend.

Jane Rosoux sent some images from both...



There were 9 walkers in total.

We saw some colourful hedges...




And the historic church in Little Missenden, with its mediaeval frescoes, didn't disappoint...





There was plenty of rain but spirits weren't dampened! The rivers were full though...



Many Thanks to Jane Rosoux for the photos and reports...

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Wendover Circular Bluebell Walk

Despite Heavy overnight rain which continued into the morning, 13 people joined Joe Garver for a 13.5 mile walk in search of bluebells. Jane Rosoux sent us these photographs.



[Joe Garver is on the extreme right.]

The route was ingeniously planned and took in many bluebell woods...





By the end of the day, even the sun broke through!




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