After the hottest day of the year (so far), I was glad it was a lot cooler for my walk. Nine of us met at Hampton Court station after receiving a packet of wildflower seeds from South Western Railway as we exited the platform. It was the week of the Hampton Court RHS Flower Show and the Palace gardens were open free of charge. We enjoyed the rose garden and the vegetable garden and had a quick look at the royal tennis court before going into the beautiful formal gardens. We passed the privy garden, the knot garden, the pond gardens and admired the great vine which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest vine. Grapes can be purchased in September. 

We stopped at the plant shop so that two members of our party could buy chard and beetroot which they had to carry for the rest of the walk. Half the party ate their picnic in the vegetable garden while the rest ate in the nice Lion Gate Cafe. Then we entered Bushy Park and admired the Diana Fountain which had been cleaned recently. After passing a couple of ponds and seeing a family of deer, we followed the Langford River into the lovely Pheasantry Woodland Garden. The sun had come out and it was nice to be in the shade. We then went into the Waterhouse Woodland Garden, another pleasant garden with interesting plants. We came out of the woodland, crossed Cobblers Walk and entered the Park. We saw a buck with magnificent antlers eating along the path and not bothered by our presence. After a while, we reached the Water Gardens and its seven steps cascade and exited Bushy Park. We only waited a couple of minutes for the bus taking us back to Hampton Court and the train was at the station when we arrived. Altogether a very nice day, if I can say so myself!

The Hampton Court Palace Gardens are open free of charge on the following dates:

13 September to 14 September
18 October to 19 October
22 November to 23 November
26 December (wilderness garden only)

Dom

Despite an unpromising weather forecast, 14 of us made our various ways to Plumpton to start the walk. The South Downs were completely hidden in a thick mist but I knew that there was a fence at the top so I was prepared to cling to it if we could see absolutely nothing and were in some danger of either falling off or getting lost in the greyness. 

After a mile or so of  flat walking through meadows and light woodland we arrived at the start of our ascent but made a democratic decision to stop at the pub before we went up. The pub advertised ice cream for dogs which always makes me wonder what the ingredients are but no one seems to know. Well, it seems to contain a lot of unpronounceable chemicals plus milk, turmeric, sweet potato, collagen, various vitamins, oat bran and oddly, vanilla flavouring. Probably quite nice!

We made our way up the lovely chalk path to join the South Downs Way for a few miles and despite a very brisk cold wind the mist started to clear. We had to go down a potentially unpleasantly steep and slippery chalk path but, impressively, no one fell over and we arrived in Ditchling where we had sandwiches in the churchyard and hit the cafes. 

After lunch up we went again, back onto the Downs. The sun almost came out and the weather improved so we enjoyed  beautiful views over  Sussex. Then a slightly gentler and more sheltered descent to Hassocks where some went for the train and some had a second pint or half pint, or cider or lime juice or whatever at the Jack & Jill pub before the final 20 minute walk to the station. 

Harriet

Photos from Jane, Stephen, Jo, Ida and Chris

Thirteen Polyramblers met at Amersham Station to catch the rail replacement bus to Wendover (the Chiltern Line was not running due to planned engineering work). We made our way through the village and it was very tempting to stop at various stalls selling cakes, exotic hot food, plants etc. but we did not cave in.        

We joined the lovely Heron path and were able to appreciate the scenery, wild flowers and trees instead of watching our feet.

We stopped for lunch at the village called The Lee, here the village green was very busy with groups of young people who were doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is the first time I was able to enjoy my packed lunch whilst watching the Morris Dancing.

We arrived at Chesham in good time, so several of us took the opportunity to have tea and cake before heading to the station to catch the tube back home. We even managed to miss the football supporters as it was FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium!

Sunita

 Photos by Chris, Nita and Joyanna

When I arrived at Cannon Street Station I found just one other Poly Rambler waiting to board the train for my walk. However, by the time we reached Faversham there were twenty of us with another one joining enroute!

In bright sunshine, we set off through the town, passing a busy market by the Guildhall where we were lucky not to lose some of our number to its attractions. We continued past the Shepherd Neame Brewery to the Creek where we joined the Saxon Shore Way for a pleasant stroll alongside moored boats on one side and salt marshes on the other. The views were extensive with the Isle Of Sheppey to the north and the distinctive spire of Faversham’s parish church to the south.

After an hour’s easy walking, we reached our lunch stop at the Shipwright Arms pub. Food had been pre-ordered and it arrived speedily as we sat in the large garden enjoying the good weather. Setting off again, we followed Oare Creek back towards Faversham. A circuitous route through a trading estate was traversed and then a narrow overgrown footpath before we reached the handsome buildings of West Street which took us back to the Guildhall. Half of our number then headed for the station while the rest of us enjoyed excellent cakes at a cafe as the market packed up. And that was that for an enjoyable day!

Danny

Photos courtesy of Joyanna, Patricia & Lan