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."

.

Herts to Start, then Essex Again

On Sunday nine of us met at Broxbourne station on a very cold morning with a promise of snow in the air. We were walking the last ten mile stage of the West Anglian Way.

We were led by Henriette Van Zaelen, picture below in the grey beret.


Checking the route..

An icy wind nipped at our faces but gave the yachting fraternity some sport.



One of the more unusual features of the walk was a pair of obelisks marking the Greenwich Meridian. This one was in the north.



And then, exactly a kilometre to it's south, this one, proudly modelled by yours truly, standing in the eastern hemisphere.



Towards the end of the walk we arrived at Waltham Abbey, burial place of King Harold.



This splendid monk, carved from Epping oak, gazes towards the Abbey. Perhaps he is dreaming of toasted teacakes. (We can recommend the ones at Philpotts!).



And finally, in odd animals corner... A reminder that if you go down to the woods today you are sure of a big surprise... We met this fellow...

A Busy Weekend

This weekend was a busy one for London Walkers. The TFL funded WalkLondon event saw dozens of led walks being held over the weekend.

On Saturday Angela and I joined fellow Hampstead Ramblers Michael and Olga Way on a walk through Epping Forest and up to Debden. Over twenty people joined Michael, who led, and Olga, who was back-marker.

We stopped at Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge for a look round.



The lord and Lady of the Lodge were there to greet us.



We had all brought our own sandwiches and had to decline the sumptuous luncheon laid out before us.



Michael led from the front...



The walk was only around five miles, but gave us some superb views of the wintry Essex countryside.

Fifteen in the Forest

Our Ramble this week was a circular seven mile walk around Epping Forest.The gales and hail of Saturday night gave way to a sunny day with a promise of spring. As usual the transport system seemed to be against us, the dreaded Rail Replacement signs were out again on the Victoria Line.



The regular Rambling On bird spotting corner this week features the rare Plastic Owl, spotted scaring birds from the indicator board on Platform 2 of Chingford Railway Station.



The fourteen members of Hampstead Ramblers were ably led by Maija Roberts, the group Treasurer, pictured below, centre.



As Maija said "we've been blessed." Perfect weather.

The sun shone through blue skies...



Epping is timeless. Some trees are like ruined castles, proudly defying decay...



A personal highlight for me was finally finding Loughton Camp. The camp is an earthwork of ditch and ramp which dates back to the Iron Age. It is thought that the ramp was topped by fence posts and was used by the farmers as an enclosure for their livestock. It provided protection against bears, wolves and wild boar.

As you step down into the ditch you are stepping back in time...



Before we reached our destination, we took time to rest under this magnificent oak tree.



The days are lengthening, woodpeckers are drumming, Spring cannot be far away...