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All posts by Chris Maslen
CLUB XMAS LUNCH AND WESTMINSTER WALK – 10TH DECEMBER
As a prelude to the Xmas Lunch, around twenty-five members assembled at Hyde Park Corner Station on a damp morning for a short walk to sharpen their appetites for what was to come.
We first crossed the Wellington Arch roundabout with its array of war memorials before walking along the edge of Green Park to Buckingham Palace. There, we encountered numerous tourists awaiting the changing of the guard. The crowds eased as we strolled through St James’s Park and looked at the wildlife on the lake, although unfortunately no pelicans could be seen. Leaving the park and passing various ministry buildings, we entered Victoria Embankment Gardens which forms a green strip alongside the Thames between Westminster and Waterloo Bridges. We followed it to the Savoy Hotel where we headed up to the Strand and on through Covent Garden to our regular venue of the Freemasons Arms.
There we were joined by many more members so that a bumper attendance of fifty-six sat down for the 2023 Xmas Lunch. As ever, the food was good, the service efficient and the atmosphere convivial. To finish, before we all all wandered into the night, our chair Hilary thanked the staff and detailed the Club highlights of the year.
Danny
NORTHOLT to SUDBURY HILL – 6TH JANUARY
Nineteen Polyramblers arrived at Northolt Station for a prompt start. We walked through old Northolt village of which only the old Manor House, a few cottages, a pub and St Mary’s Church still remain. We then made our way to the four hills at Northala fields. The hills were constructed using rubble from the demolition of the original Wembley Stadium, which was closed in 2000 and demolished in 2003. We climbed the main hill to enjoy the view of London. Behind the hills lie several man-made lakes which have been constructed to encourage wild life.
Then we made our way along the Grand Union Canal heading towards Horsenden Hill farm. Steve kindly lead about half the group to the Ballot Box pub for lunch and the rest of us enjoyed a picnic, tea and cakes near the farm shop.
After lunch both groups met at the top of Horsenden Hill from where we made our way back to the Station.
Sunita
Photos by Ida.
LOWER SYDENHAM TO GREENWICH – 30TH DECEMBER
On a day when two walks were offered to alleviate the excesses of Xmas consumption, twelve members chose the shorter option and gathered at Lower Sydenham station for a waterside walk through south-east London.
Initially, the group followed the Pool River through a green corridor until it joined the River Ravensbourne on its journey to the Thames. Passing under the South Circular Road, we entered the site of the old Catford Greyhound Stadium, now replaced by blocks of flats. Continuing through Ladywell Fields and past University Hospital Lewisham, we looked at St Mary’s Church before stopping for lunch. Some of our number sampled the beer and cuisine at the Ladywell Tavern while others had a picnic or went to a local cafe.
Suitable refreshed, we headed uphill to the 174 foot high peak of Hilly Fields for its wide-ranging views of London. This green area, once a farm, was saved in the late-nineteenth century by the intervention of Octavia Hill, the co-founder of the National Trust. Back down in the back streets of Lewisham, we rejoined the Ravensbourne and wended our way through Brookmill Park and Broadway Fields to Deptford Bridge, the site of a 1497 battle in the Cornish Rebellion against Norman taxes.
Finally, we headed for Deptford Station, via a bustling market and a distinctive post box artwork, where a few of us made a detour to a renowned pub the Dog & Bull pub for some fortifying mulled wine before heading home.
Danny
Photos courtesy of Patricia Burbidge and Kim Chowns
WITLEY TO HASLEMERE 25TH NOVEMBER
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