Cherry Tree Wood to Gillespie Park

Yesterday I had the enjoyable task of leading a walk of my own.
It was a fine sunny day, and I was lucky enough to have my wife Angela helping me.

23 other Ramblers joined us for a walk through North London's ancient woodlands and nature reserves.



I'm wittering on at the left in this photo. I always try and give my walking groups some background on the areas we walk through.

We went through Highgate and Queen's Woods. As always, we found some quirky artworks in the latter.



I think these tea bag chains are a comment on our wasteful consumer lifestyles. Either that or they are just chains of used teabags...

We moved on to the Parkland Walk, a linear Nature Reserve created from a disused railway line.



This is the group going through the remains of Crouch End station platforms.

We said hello to the Spriggan again....



The Spriggan is an elf or pixie, known for causing mischief and stealing children. The Spriggan sculpture is by Marilyn Collins. Click Here for more info on her work.

We went through Finsbury Park and then onwards to Gillespie Park Nature Reserve...



Pictured above are Henriette and Angela, with Mollie the Labradoodle; all heading to Gillespie Park with the Emirates Stadium in the distance.

We arrived at Gillespie park after 5 leisurely miles. The Ecology Centre was celebrating it's 23rd anniversary. There was delicious organic food, homemade jams and chutneys, not to forget



Morris Men!!!

I leave you with a group photo I took.



Thanks to everyone who came and made the walk so enjoyable.

Especial thanks to Jane Rosoux for all the other photos above.

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Windsor Circular - The Magnificent Seven!

I have been a member of the Hampstead Ramblers for a year now. This Saturday I celebrated by leading my first Walk, a twelve-mile circular walk from Windsor and Eton Riverside Station.

The conditions were ideal, warm and sunny but with a refreshing breeze.

The route saw us walking along the Thames Path.



After three miles we stopped for a short tea break at Old Windsor Lock.



(I'm far left, checking the map.)[Photo J. Rosoux]

We walked through Runnymede, up to the John F Kennedy Memorial, (Pictured below)...



[Photo J. Rosoux]

then up through Savill Gardens to the Copper Horse Statue



[Photo J. Rosoux]

...and the long walk to the Castle itself...



[Photo J. Rosoux]

Lunch was taken at Englefield Green, where we were lucky enough to see a game of cricket, and most of us enjoyed a glass at the Barley Mow by the green.





I have to thank Richmond Group member Pat for taking the photo below.



Pictured above, with Windsor Castle at top left, Jane Rosoux, Me, Fielding (a member all the way from Virginia, U.S.A.), Gill, Angela and David.

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