Looking up at the departure board at Waterloo Station our train appeared with the unexpected word CANCELLED!  Oh no!  I enquired at the information desk;  ‘a faulty train’. They were sorry.  The next service to Witley would be a full hour later.   I had previously realised that an 8.8 mile walk from Witley might be an issue because of sunset at 16.04 so this was bad news indeed. Continue reading WITLEY TO HASLEMERE 25TH NOVEMBER →

Rain, cold and grey skies for weeks before; rain, cold and grey skies predicted for weeks after but, on the day of the walk, the weather was wonderful. Warm – for November-  with a few feathery clouds in an otherwise perfectly blue sky.

We were lucky enough to have attracted two potential new members who met us at Haslemere station. The walk goes straight up onto a lovely path and then into the woods so there was no trudging through outskirts before the real walk begins.  A  lot of the day was in woodland but light enough that the sun shone through and lit up the crimson and gold of the fallen leaves and it wasn’t as muddy as had been predicted so it was really the most perfect autumn walk. Continue reading HASLEMERE CIRCULAR 11TH NOVEMBER →

It rained heavily during most of the walk but our small group of 8 polyramblers were all geared up for it!  We walked through many parks and woods, Coney hill Park, Sparrows Den, Spring Park woods, Shirley Heath, Cheyne wood, Three Halfpenny wood, Addlington Hills (we had our lunch stop under trees near the viewpoint there), Bramley Bank, Littleheath woods, Selsdon wood, Farleigh Common (where the weather picked up). Happily, the sun stayed out for us on the final hour of our walk and it was a short wait for the 403 at Hamsey Green.

Jackie McCartan

Photos by Hilary and Rochelle

Eleven Polyrambers set off from Westhumble rail station on a six mile circular walk including the village of Mickleham, woodlands making up Norbury Park and the Druids Grove with its fine specimens of ancient Yews.

The weather was unexpectedly fine with only a couple of quick showers passing through.  The only pub on route was closed when we passed by, but we were later afforded fine views of the Mole valley including Box Hill from where we picnicked.

The final leg of the walk became a bit of a challenge as the previous day’s wet weather had made sections of the chalky path slippery, but by using poles or holding somebody’s hand everyone managed to stay upright!

Near the end we encountered a large herd of Jersey Cows requiring navigation around certain deposits in the grass using a heads down rambling technique!

Finally, the leader perfectly timed the return to the rail station so that fellow ramblers only had a couple of minutes to wait for a train back to London!

Kim Chowns 

Photos by Ida and Patricia

Report by Danny

On a warm but overcast morning, nineteen ramblers met at Cambridge Station for a leisurely circular walk along the River Cam to the village of Grantchester. We were pleased to see, amongst that number, three ex-members who lived in the vicinity. They were Heather Preston, Mike Nicholson and Mike ‘Trainers’ Hilton. The latter wore a new pair especially for the occasion! 

We started our ramble through a new housing development and then along a tree-lined road which took us to Coe Fen, a marshy area on the banks of the Cam historically used as free grazing land. Passing some cows, we crossed the river by a footbridge and then entered the Paradise Nature Reserve with its native wild flowers. A short section of road walking then took us past Skater’s Meadow and onto the riverside path with further meadows alongside. Punters, paddle boarders and kayakers accompanied us as we headed for Grantchester. There we had lunch in the famous Orchard House Tearooms, the essential riverside stop for undergraduates since it opened in 1897. By this time the sun had come out and many of our number sat in deckchairs in the extensive garden, sampling some excellent scones, with jam and cream, amongst other treats.

Suitably refreshed, the group admired the picture-postcard village, forever associated with the poet Rupert Brooke, before returning to Cambridge along a higher path, enabling views of the Cambridge skyline ahead. Reaching the city, we passed the busy mill pond with its numerous punts awaiting customers before looking at the mathematical footbridge, reputedly free-standing even with all its nuts and bolts removed. A short stroll then took us back to the station although some of our number a little footsore opted for the bus!     

Danny