Like my Easter Monday walk, the weather came up trumps, this time with a record May temperature. Despite the predicted hot weather, thirteen members started off from Alton Station for a five mile walk in the Hampshire countryside. We soon reached the King’s Pond where we were greeted by a family of Canada Geese, including numerous cute goslings. Accompanied by the sound of a steam train on the adjacent Watercress Line, we continued waterside to a long flight of steps. These took us up Windmill Hill, although sadly there was no sign of such a structure when we reached the top. A narrow road took us down again and then under the Alton by-pass to a quiet lane heading south. We soon passed Kiln House, a grand converted oast house indicative of the time Alton was renowned for hop growing. Turning west, we spotted a peacock in the grounds of Westbrook Grange. Then fields with lots of lambs and ewes took us to the Greyfriars pub in Chawton for some well-earned refreshment. The village is famed for its association with Jane Austen and her house could be seen opposite the pub. The route back to Alton took us past many locations connected with the author. Reaching the station was when things went awry. Signalling problems meant our return journey to London was greatly protracted with some of us sitting in a stationary train for over three hours, fortunately in air-conditioned comfort!

Danny
Photos courtesy of Ann Munn & Joyanna Lovelock

On  Sunday morning at the tail end of the late May heatwave, 23 Poly Ramblers overcame various travel challenges to gather at St Albans Abbey station for the Three Burys walk (bury  meaning manor). I was relieved to be walking in lower temperatures than when we did the walkover a week earlier.

We headed through Verulamium Park, passing the lake with a family of geese and goslings and then through the lovely St Michaels area of the city and north towards the first bury, the attractive estate hamlet of Childwickbury.   After walking through a wood and down a long estate drive we ate an early picnic lunch in the 19th century St Mary’s churchyard. We continued to cross Harpenden Common and down a mile long country lane to eventually reach the River Ver and Redbournbury Mill, the second bury and the last working watermill on the River Ver. We availed ourselves of the ice creams and cold drinks on offer in the mill shop and many of us bought loaves of bread and viewed the small museum.  As we sat outside we were surprised to be joined by Joyanna, who had missed the train but, with admirable determination, managed to catch us up.

The last stage of the walk took us south on the River Ver trail and then through the Gorhambury Estate (the third bury) back to St Michaels. We enjoyed great views of St Albans Abbey as we approached the gate house and from there it was a short step back to the museum where the group dispersed.   Later we heard of the challenges for some of group in getting home due to the Arsenal victory parade!

Gillian.   Photos Ida, Jane and Stephen

On a very hot evening, 16 Polyramblers met outside Sloane Square tube station for an evening walk. It was very crowded – more than in previous years. ‘Chelsea in Bloom’ is the world class alternative floral art show which transforms the streets of Chelsea during the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Shops, restaurants and hotels are adorned with creative designs made of fresh flowers (but we saw some plastic ones too). The theme this year was ‘Out of this World’ with some flower displays inspired by space travel and astrology and others not related to the theme. Dominique.

Unusually for a Bank Holiday Monday, the weather was warm and sunny when fifteen members and one guest gathered at Leigh-on-Sea station for a walk through Hadleigh Castle Country Park. After a short stretch of pavement walking, we headed away from the road to a rutted path, fortunately dry but with obvious signs of previous mud. Our way soon started climbing with the ruins of the castle appearing above the trees. We entered its atmospheric domain, wandered around what remained of its fortifications and enjoyed splendid views of the Thames Estuary and Canvey Island.

On the most perfect day, an elite team of 7 walkers started out on our 12.5 mile walk from Battle station. The weather was glorious, sunny & warm with cooling breezes when required. 

We started on the 1066 Country Walk which might be worth doing more of as it goes from Pevensey to Rye & sounds lovely. There were several miles of undulating paths in woodland, surrounded by trees with their vibrant spring-green leaves, & birdsong. If any of us had been feeling stressed this would have been the perfect antidote.

The next part was over meadows in a river valley with sheep & lambs enjoying being alive on such a morning, or so I imagined. We had a picnic lunch sitting on some very handy, low brick structures by the Brede Valley Waterworks. The path zigzagged after that for no obvious reason & we made a group decision to scale a gate that was padlocked for absolutely no visible reason & simply led to the lane which we needed to walk along. However, it had a vicious line of barbed wire over the top rung so we were forced to abandon our vote for freedom of movement & follow the official line.