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"

.

Kings Langley Circular with the London Blind Ramblers

Saturday March 20th saw members of the Hampstead Ramblers joining up with the peripatetic and ever-cheerful London Blind Ramblers.

We were ably led by Michael Way, pictured centre, below.




Although conditions were showery at first, the rain cleared and everyone enjoyed a fine day.



Dexter the guide dog especially enjoyed a chance to run free and let his human be guided by us for a change!...



Michael writes…

“Thanks to all Hampstead group members who helped out on Saturday March 20th with our annual walk with the London Blind Ramblers' Group -- this year a circular from Kings Langley with a stop at Chipperfield. There were record numbers -- 21 of us in all, and it all went very well.

Best regards Michael Way”

.

Blind Ramblers, Breaking News...

I have just received a dispatch from our Walk Leader yesterday, Michael Way. I reproduce it in full below.

"Engineering works did their damnedest but 18 of us took part in the annual Hampstead Group walk with the London Blind Ramblers Club. A six-mile circular from Chorleywood with the usual memorable stop at the church and The Cock pub at Church end near Sarratt Bottom. We were 18 in all.



"We averaged an excellent 2.3 miles per hour and there was only one incident when one of the sighted members of the Blind group, Robbie, missed the train back at Chorleywood while he went outside for a cigarette.



"Thanks to Dave and Valerie Clark of the Blind Ramblers for setting it up, as usual, and a lovely speech of thanks at the end from Lea.



"Next year: Last Sunday in March (unless it's East - we'll check) from Kings Langley - Engineering works do your damnedest.



"Michael Way"

.

Hampstead and London Blind Ramblers Walk

Today the Hampstead Group enjoyed a walk with the London Blind Ramblers. The circular walk around Chorleywood had 18 walkers, with a 19th joining us half way.


As so often this year, we had to catch a rail replacement bus to get to our destination. This is us waiting for the connection! The leader, Michael Way, is at the rear, 7th from the left.

We aim to have at least one sighted walker for every one with a visual impairment.

Crossing the stiles slows us down a little. Next time you go on a ramble, just imagine going over a stile blind. It needs a lot of concentration...









We stopped for Lunch at The Cock.



We managed the 6 miles at an average speed of 2.3 miles per hour. Mind you, some of our group, such as Jem, probably covered twice that distance...



Jem is a rescued dog, and had a great time trying out being a guide dog for the day.

Everyone had a great day out.

Way-Finding

A lot of people who go on walks with the Ramblers don't realise how much preparation goes in to providing a walk. It's a fundamental tenet of walk leading that you always "walk-out" the route to be taken a week or two before, to check for diversions, possible dangers etc. Whilst we were walking in Bedfordshire, Michael Way was busy in the Chilterns. He sent us this report...

"Sunday March 7th. Walked out the excellent route planned for our annual hike with the London Blind Ramblers Club on March 29th starting from Chorleywood Station at 10.30. It is 7 miles with nice pub stop."

"This is certainly one of my favourites – through Chenies, along the river Chess, up to Sarratt bottom, them back across to Chorleywood Common. It was cold and bright today. I do hope Hampstead Ramblers will come along for a special and rewarding day. Michael Way"

The pace will be slow, but it should be a special and rewarding day. If you are free, do come along. The idea is to have one sighted walker for every blind walker. You can read more about the Blind Ramblers club here.