Although the cafe was quite busy, it accommodated all those in the party who wished to buy lunch there. Some of us ate our own food outside. Most of us at least had a hot drink and warmed up in the cafe. I enjoyed a ham and cheese omelette with chips! After lunch we proceeded along a quarter mile driveway, onto Shooters Hill, part of the original roman Watling Street. We ascended up Eaglescliffe Road past an old Fire station, where there were more views towards Central London and Docklands – plenty of skyscrapers!, then into Shrewsbury Park, with opposite views towards Welling. Then we went downhill suddenly into a road of terraced houses and turned sharp right and at next crossroads reached Plumstead Common. At the far end of Plumstead Common a track led us down some steps back onto Kings Highway, and in another quarter mile we reached Bostall Woods, after this a flat grassy common with locked up loos (Oh dear!). After crossing a small estate of flats we reached Lesnes Abbey Wood, followed by the Gardens where is the ruined Lesnes Abbey formerly a home of 22 Cistercian monks. Another quarter mile took us onto Abbey Wood station, the end, it was now around half past 4, and growing dark. The party became rather scattered, and split into different trains home. Many of the members said how they particularly enjoyed this ramble, and I have to say THEY ALL COMPLETED THE ROUTE!!! with no one bailing out at any of the several bus points on the way. I would also like to express a special thanks to David for his superior local knowledge of the area.

GEOFFREY WATERS