Lovely walk from Petts Wood to West Wickham, despite the drizzle, through wooded areas, meadows, a nature reserve and Elms Country Park where we stopped for lunch near the Green Roof Cafe there.

After lunch we traversed the site of a great mansion which had burned down in 1967 and, after a bit of climbing, stopped to view the remains of the Wilberforce Oak which has an interesting history (bill calling for the abolition of slavery discussed here)

Onwards to The Keston ponds which were teaming with life, including lots of cute ducklings being closely guarded by parents. As Hayes station didn’t have trains running, we stood under a bus shelter, dodging drips from leaks in the roof, until the 353 arrived and took us on the 15 min journey to Orpington station, a journey Geoffrey was quite familiar with, having lived in that area many years ago. After a short wait we were off on the train towards London.

Jackie.  Photos by Hilary and Ian