The planned walk on Saturday 18th January was postponed because of the leader’s illness so one planned for February was brought forward. Despite the short notice of the change and a cold grey day, thirteen poly ramblers and guests assembled at Pudding Mill Lane DLR station for a five mile walk through suburban East London. A flight of steps took us up to the Greenway, a most imaginative use of sewage pipes: a level trackway of bonded gravel for walkers and cyclists laid on top of the Northern Outfall Sewage Embankment. The acronym NOSE may have been deliberately chosen by someone with a sense of humour! However there was little nasal evidence of its presence as we strolled along the route of the Capital Ring above the houses and commercial buildings of the borough of Newham, including the ornate pumping house affectionally known as ‘The Cathedral of Sewage’. After about three miles, we left the Greenway and crossed the busy A13 trunk road with distant views of the ‘Beckton Alps’, a giant slag heap of a former gas works, now grassed over and converted into a dry ski slope. We next entered Beckton District Park, a pleasant green space with a lake and numerous water birds. Leaving the park and the Capital Ring, we walked along a tree-lined footpath to the end of the walk at the Fox Connaught pub, a listed old docks building, which provided sustenance for our hungry and thirsty ramblers.

Danny

Photos by Les and Stephen

Eight Polyramblers gathered outside Luton Airport Parkway station for a 7.5 mile circular walk. It was 11am on a very frosty but sunny January morning  (Earlier,  when I set out from home, my phone showed a temperature of -3C!).  

We all set off across the station car park and approach, negotiating roundabouts onto a B road signposted to Wheathampstead. Then we climbed through a narrow piece of woodland up onto a higher level A road, proceding 100 yds along its footway until we saw a footpath sign to the right leading up some steps into a field on higher ground. The path at the top of the steps followed near the perimeter fence of Luton Airport for about a mile on our left. There was a view of the new Dart shuttle train  and much sound of arriving and departing (mostly EasyJet) aircraft. After traversing a few open fields the path turned half right and away from the airport. Soon we reached a row of cottages beside the ruins of Someries Castle. All that remains of this 15th century manor house is the gatehouse and chapel, it is one of the earliest brick structures in England. We spent a little time exploring the ruins in the bright sunshine.  We then  continued SE along a straight track which soon became a lane taking us into Peter’s Green for lunch.

Most of the party went inside The Bright Star public house, the remainder using seating on the green to eat their own food. Inside the pub was a roaring wood burning stove, and we were served with very welcome vegetable soup. And greeted by a very friendly hound  who took an interest in sniffing my rucksack, as it had sausage rolls inside!!

After lunch and a photostop on the green  we took a  path SW across fields, somewhat muddy in places, leading us down into the Upper Lea Valley at East Hyde. Crossing the road along the valley bottom, we took a lane from the other side over the river then a right turn onto a northbound track, being the trackbed of the once Luton,  Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway. This soon passed under today’s busy  Midland Main Line, carrying frequent express and Thameslink trains. The track continued along the valley,  beside sewage works on the right, then eventually passed the woods and parkland of Luton Hoo to the left. We came across two metal statues, one of Eric Morecambe, and the other representing Capability Brown who both have associations with the local area. The track soon led us back to the roundabouts and the approach to Luton Airport Parkway station. 

It was now 4 o’clock and getting dusky and colder. Here three polyramblers decided to take a short diversion for refreshment at Costa Coffee before the journey home, the rest headed straight into the station for their train back to London.

Geoffrey

Photos by Gillian, Pam, Chris and Geoffrey

The Wandle trail is a path along the Wandle Valley from Croydon to Wandsworth following the river Wandle.  This river was a hub of industrial mills and printing with William Morris and Liberty owning factories on its banks.

We chose to start our 7.5 mile hike at Earlsfield and walk to Carshalton Ponds, avoiding some of the less salubrious parts. For the first hike of the new year, 20 hikers started out enjoying the mild (for this time of the year) weather with no indication of rain.  Being a cycle and walking trail, the going was good, with only one part being a bit muddy.  The route had many parts which were wooded with water fowl and it was easy to imagine we weren’t in London.

We crossed the Croydon Tram before stopping for lunch at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property with good facilities.  At this point 3 members chose to cut it short and alighted the Tram. 

The rest of us negotiated the upper reaches of the Wandle which were equally tranquil, only having to negotiate the fishermen (a good sign the river is in good condition).  After arriving at Carshalton Ponds (one of the sources of the Wandle), we the made our way to Carshalton Station with its frequent trains to London Bridge and Victoria.

In hindsight we were lucky and just missed the stormy weather which arrived that evening once safely home. 

Stephen

Photos by Ida and Stephen

Nineteen polyramblers met at Hammersmith Station on a cold, dry, misty morning.  After a quick safety briefing we headed towards the river Thames. 

We crossed the river via  Hammersmith Bridge, still undergoing repairs but open to pedestrians and joined the Thames Path to Putney Bridge.

We passed several boat yards that were closed, due to holiday season, so we were able to enjoy the river and some views, mist permitting. We were able to see Fulham Football Ground that has also undergone major refurbishment. 

We crossed Putney Bridge and had a packed lunch at Bishops Park. After a short lunch break we walked in the grounds of Bishops Palace with lovely wood carvings by Andrew Frost. 

The palace has an interesting history and I will be going back in the spring to see the museum and try out the tea shop.

We made our way back to the river, passing Fulham Football supporters. We passed the Blu River Cafe, saw the statue of Capability Brown and passed by Riverside Studios with its photographs of iconic pop stars before returning to Hamersmith Station.

Sunita

[Ed.- The walk was led jointly by Sunita and Jackie  C.]

Photos by Julia, Gillian, Rochelle and Chris

We set off from Waterloo on a fast train to Guildford and more walkers joined us at Clapham Junction.  I was really pleased there were 18 of us on what was an overcast day in late November.    I was worried about completing the walk before it got dark (sunset at 15:58) and perhaps I may have overdone it a bit during my short briefing in which I stressed that we needed to keep up a good walking pace. 

The station isn’t far from the river Wey which we followed south out of Guildford.  It wasn’t long before we were out in the countryside walking by a very full river with a weir to our right, noisy with rushing water.   The water meadows on the other side of the Wey were heavily flooded.   It was a relief to me to be back in nature and away from the traffic of the busy town.

After a while we left the banks of the river,  heading west, up a steep short hill and over a railway bridge to get to Sandy lane.  We then branched right and followed the North Downs Way climbing through a pleasant rural valley which headed towards Compton and lunch at the Watts Gallery.   It was not raining and we were quite warm so we stopped for a brief water break and to remove a layer of clothing.   Everyone was chatting and seemed happy and I was surprised to get to Watts Gallery about 20 minutes early.   So I need not have worried after all!

Most people had brought there own lunch and sat at the picnic tables outside. This was just as well since it was very busy in the tea room.   It’s a delightful place with a lovely shop and many of us enjoyed a pot of tea or cup of coffee after lunch.   This was originally a part of the Arts and Crafts movement and a pottery was opened here in the early 20th century by George and Mary Watts.  Currently there is a resident artist here and an art gallery which unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore.  After an hour we left and headed for Watts Chapel which is less than a 10 minute walk away.   Watts Chapel and the cemetery were well worth visiting.  The chapel is quite stunning and beautiful both inside and out.  It was built by Mary Watts with the help of the local villagers from Compton.   We paused to view Aldous Huxley’s grave before continuing on our walk.

We passed through a stud farm and then through a wood.  The path through the wood was very muddy in places but nowhere near what it had been like on my walkover a few days before.   Then there had been a stream running down the centre of the path!  Emerging from the wood I suggested we have a drinks break and various people said they would like either a brandy or a gin and tonic.  So witty!  None of which I had of course.  We then walked up a country lane to Polsted Manor and then forking right we headed up to Loseley Park.   There is an imposing and historic Mansion house here set in a big estate.  It is perhaps now more famous for Loseley ice cream but the house itself was once visited by Queen Elizabeth I.  The park is closed at this time of year so we skirted around it and passed by an ornamental lake which had recently been dredged.  We then continued east on a well marked path back to the river Wey and from there it was only a mile to Guildford.   We crossed over an attractive bridge and then walked between the river and the flooded meadows before arriving back at the A3100 on the outskirts of the town.

We had made good time and I needn’t have worried.   Some of us headed back to the station, others went for tea and cake and I joined a group who went to the White Lion for a well earned drink.

Leader: Chris

Photos by: Ida, Joyanna, Patricia, Lois and Hilary