On another hot day, nine members met at Mill Hill East station for a circular walk of just over five miles in the London Borough of Barnet. After a stop at a nearby Waitrose for use of their facilities, we headed along a suburban road to the thirteen arch Northern Line viaduct, the highest point above ground level on the London Underground network. As it towered above us, we joined the Dollis Brook trail for a pleasant shaded walk through woodland. Soon we branched off left through a golf course for a stretch of road walking. After a small altercation with a driver who appeared to be unaware of pedestrian priority at a turning, we reached an enclosed track with horses greeting us in an adjacent field. This took us in due course to Totteridge Green with its delightful duck pond. After skirting some cottages and large houses, we reached the Orange Tree Inn. Here we stopped for drinks and where some of our number ate a picnic lunch at the lovely pond opposite. Refreshed we headed up to the attractive village church where we joined another track down the long slope of the Totteridge valley. Extensive views opened up as we left woodland with the Mill Hill medical research institute dominating the skyline. Passing a cricket match in progress, we headed uphill to the Adam & Eve pub where the group split. Some headed down Bittacy Hill to complete the walk while the rest delayed their departure down the hill to partake of drinks in the pub. Fortunately there were no transport delays returning home, unlike my recent Alton walk.

Danny
Photos courtesy of Les Filby.