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

Hertford East Circular

A gloriously warm and sunny day contrasted with the weather of the last few days for Michael and Olga Way's walk.

Despite severe Tube disruptions no less than Thirteen walkers joined Michael for an interesting and enjoyable Ramble around Hertford East.



[Michael and Olga are 3rd and 4th from the left above].

Among the walkers were a visitor from Carolina in the United States, and a walker new to Rambling. Yet again a Short (6 miles) walk on a Saturday proved exceedingly popular.

Early on in the walk we crossed over a weir where an intrepid canoist was demonstrating his skills to a rapt audience...



Fairy rings were much in evidence...



We picnicked in the glorious sunshine on the banks of the River Lea...





In the afternoon we reached Scott's Grotto.
Built in the 18th Century English Heritage describe it as "the finest grotto in the country." The chambers and passageways are decorated with thousands of seashells, coloured glass and flints..



[The entrance to Scott's Grotto].

I managed to find our leader despite the darkness!...



We even managed to fit in a quick drink in Ware.

Everyone had a great day. With views like this, how could we not?




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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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Box Hill to Leatherhead

Yesterday Michael Way lead a walk from Box Hill and Westhumble to Leatherhead. Accompanying Michael were 17 ramblers...



The meltwater and rain combined to produce some rather muddy terrain, and you can see how swollen the River Mole appears...



Many thanks to Rambler Ros Sweetman for the photos. You can find more of her pictures on her Flickr account, by clicking here.

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Best Foot Forward

The walks schedule is printed many months in advance. Hampstead Ramblers have a policy of travelling via public transport whenever possible, and our walks always start from a tube or train station. Quite often our transport plans are disrupted and we have to take train replacement buses or use alternative routes.

Thankfully it is rare that we have to find alternative walks leaders, but this is what happened on Sunday May 10th.

The original walk leader, Michael Way, injured his foot earlier in the week and was unable to lead the 10 mile circular walk around Henley on Thames. Michael contacted me a couple of days ahead to see if I could lead. Unfortunately I had foolishly done a 12 mile walk in new boots earlier on in the week and was sporting a blister on each heel the size of a hen's egg!

Ramblers are reluctant to let each other down, and Michael worked on a simplified route which anyone could follow without much difficulty. Michael turned up at the appointed time, with map and guidebook in hand. He couldn't walk, but he could do a good handover to anyone who might volunteer.

Luckily, Hampstead Associate member Barbara Luke volunteered to take over, and the 10 mile route was walked as planned. Michael's wife Olga led an alternative, shorter walk.

A good time was had by all on a day that was a testament to the dedicated volunteers who make the Ramblers such an enjoyable group to belong to.

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