Guildford Circular

I attach photographs taken on Sunday's circular walk from Guildford led by Gary and Eladia Cleary from which you can make a selection for the Rambling On blog. As on Saturday the weather was very good and a party of 15



(including members of the North West London Group) was taken along a delightful route past St Martha's Church, with its excellent views, to Aldbury for our lunch stop where some of us picnicked outside the church and others went to the pub.




In the afternoon we walked through heathland to join the River Wey navigation near St Catherine's Lock. Whilst walking along the towpath we were passed twice by a steam-powered boat called 'Grace'.



Three of us climbed up St Catherine's Hill to see the chapel and enjoy the views but we arrived back at Guildford Station all too soon.

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Hampden Park Circular

Jane Rosoux writes

"I attach photographs taken on Saturday's walk from Hampden Park from which you can make a selection for the Rambling On blog.

"The weather was lovely and a party of eight set out from Hampden Park Station led by Clare Kirkbride. Because of a recent burst sewer beneath the section of the Cuckoo Trail Clare had been planning to use she had to make last-minute changes to the route but it did not spoil a delightful day out on the expansive marshland of the Pevensey Levels. We enjoyed the sights of huntsmen and hounds returning from a morning's hunting

,

"a scarecrow (a relatively uncommon sight these days)



"and the distant sight of the main Herstmonceaux observatory.







"Instead of returning to Hampden Park, we ended the walk at Polegate Station tired but happy."

Many Thanks Jane.

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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."

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I attach photographs taken on Wednesday's 12 mile walk from Tring to Berkhamstead led by Pat Hully from which to make a selection for your blog.

[Pat is pictured below].



There were 11 of us in the party





and the weather was quite good although cooler than of late. The sun even came out during our ascent of Ivinghoe Beacon, which enhanced the views.










Best wishes,
Jane

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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Saxon Shore Way: Swale to Gillingham

Jane Rosoux writes...

"I attach photographs taken on Saturday's 16-mile walk along the Saxon Shore Way fro Swale to Gillingham from which you make a selection for the Rambling On blog.

A small party of six left Swale Station, of which I was the only Hampstead Group member. The weather at the start of the walk was dry and warm but fairly cloudy and windy. However, the sun came out later and the wind abated and it turned out to be a very pleasant day.

The 7-mile morning walk to our lunch stop at Lower Halstow was mainly along sea walls and over marshland with very little signs of human habitation.








We were astonished by the number of rabbits we saw running to their burrows when they heard us coming. 'The Three Tuns' pub served good, very reasonably-priced, food and the church also served refreshments so if we had not brought packed lunches we would not have gone hungry!

Two of the party dropped out at Lower Halstow but the remaining four of us enjoyed further attractive coastal walking and also a number of orchards full of small trees laden with a variety of apples and plums. Beyond Rainham we encountered increasing numbers of people enjoying a day out and when we came to the Riverside Country Park on the outskirts of Gillingham we enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea!"

Chipstead to Coulsdon South

Jane Reports....

"I attach photographs taken on Wednesday's 10 mile walk from Chipstead to Coulsdon South via Banstead Woods, Hooley and Farthing Down from which you can make a selection for the Rambling On blog.

There were six of us in the party...



... and we were fortunate that the weather was dry and warm, albeit somewhat cloudy



... although it started to rain almost immediately the walk ended!"

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