All posts by Chris Maslen

ROACH VALLEY WAY: ROCHFORD TO CANEWDON – 12th August

Sixteen keen Polyramblers aligned at Rochford for the second challenging walk of the summer programme. This 13 mile walk was cancelled last year (can’t remember why) and we eagerly waited for the bus to take us to Canewdon to start the walk. The bus was late – which is not unusual – and we were not too worried until two ladies who were passing told us that, because of roadworks, the bus had been diverted and we had missed it.

This walk seemed to be doomed! After checking that there was a bus from Canewdon to Rochford at 17.00, I decided to do the walk in reverse. So we set off from Rochford, following the river Roach along the sea wall for a few miles while being buffeted by the wind. We turned inland at Bartonhill Creek and had lunch in the shade. We continued along Green Lane, passing a lake and walking along a path made of seashells. We reached Paglesham and stopped at St Peter’s Church to use the eco toilet. We passed a defunct pub and reached Paglesham Creek then walked along fields before reaching Lion Creek which we followed. We continued alongside the river Crouch on an overgrown path on the sea wall with the wind against us.

We finally reached Upper Raypits where we turned inland, crossing a meadow and then climbing the only hill of the day to reach Canewdon and the bus stop with half an hour to spare. No time for a drink in the pub but we headed to the local shop for a well deserved ice cream.

Dominique

 

TRING – 29th July

This was a walk that nearly got cancelled due to a train strike and closure of parts of six TFL lines so we were delighted to meet nineteen polyramblers at Tring Station.

After a safety briefing we made our way towards the entrance to Westland Farm and joined the Ridgeway Path passing through Aldbury Nowers nature reserve. We had a few spots of rain before we started to climb but fortunately it stayed dry and sunny for the rest of the day. We reached the top of the ridge with Pitstone village in the distance. We walked through undulating grassy hillside, with a smell of camomile underfoot, before descending and a tackling a second climb to Ivinghoe Beacon.

It was very windy and rather busy at the top with walking groups and families. Obviously a few of us discussed how we had previously celebrated completing the Ridgeway Trail. We dropped down a bit to find a reasonable spot for a picnic amongst the meadow flowers. We then retraced our steps downhill and made our way towards the Bridgewater Monument and Ashridge visitor centre, our route taking us through a well stocked wood, part of the Ashridge estate. I saw several varieties of butterflies including Cabbage White, Cinnamon Blue and Peacock.

After a refreshment stop at the visitor centre we passed by the picturesque post office, village hall and church in the village of Aldbury arriving in good time to catch the 4:00pm train home.

Sunita

Photos by Ida, Jill and Chris

 

BAGSHOT HEATH and SWINLEY FOREST – 24th June

Ten polyramblers took the train to Ascot which was full of rather more elegantly dressed people on their way to the races. After changing trains, we were soon on our way to Bagshot Heath and Swinley Forest, a vast area owned by the Crown Estate which was once part of Windsor Forest. Most of the country scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 were filmed here. Much of what was once moorland, Daniel Defoe described Bagshot Heath as ‘being full of wast and barren land’, is now covered by modern plantations of Scots Pines. It is popular with mountain bikers and we passed an ambulance attending to an unfortunate rider who had come off their bike. 

We were able to use the picnic tables and facilities at the Look Out Discovery Centre which also offered some welcome shade.  Unfortunately, the queue for refreshments proved too long so we set off having at least refilled our water bottles. The afternoon took us through a more varied, undulating part of the forest where the pines often gave way to broadleaf trees where we could hear the activity on the nearby Barossa firing range. We had to share the path for a while with rather a lot of Belted Galloway cows, but they were more interested in going to the watering hole than in us. On our return to Bagshot Heath, three members went straight to the station while the rest of us finally got our refreshments at the Kings Arms pub.

Susan

Photos  by Ida

SEAFORD TO BERWICK VIA ALFRISTON – 17th JUNE

Eighteen polyramblers, twice the number of last year, gathered on the seafront at Seaford for this magnificent walk along the Sussex coast and inland into the beautiful South Downs.  

It promised to be a hot sunny day though with the possibility of thunderstorms and showers, making it rather humid.  The train down to the coast was absolutely packed with groups of mainly young walkers, who were walking along the cliff top path.

After a briefing, we tackled out first ascent, up over Seaford Head and on to a relatively flat walk along the cliff tops where we experienced very welcome sea breezes and gazed on the spectacular views across to the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs.  Patricia had brought her sketch pad with her and decided to stay and enjoy the views, penning a wonderful sketch which she later posted, rather than continue with the walk.  The rest of us took the Vanguard Way inland along the Cuckmere Valley reaching at the bridging point a very busy main road, and the Seven Sisters country park centre.  We made out lunch time stop here, perching on the top of a hill overlooking the scenic Cuckmere Valley and its large meanders.  

Continue reading SEAFORD TO BERWICK VIA ALFRISTON – 17th JUNE

HARROW SCHOOL VISIT – 4th JUNE

 

Fifteen Polyramblers and two guests met outside Harrow-On-The-Hill station under a clear blue sunny sky to begin our walk and tour of Harrow School. We set off at a leisurely pace past Greenhill and Harrow College and crossed into Grove Hill with the War Memorial on our right. The noise of Harrow Town diminished noticeably as we progressed up the hill.

We passed the site of Britain’s first fatal car accident in which occurred in 1899. A little further on we saw the plaque on the wall of the Art School, which says that ‘Charles I paused here in his flight from Oxford to Nottingham to water his horse’ and to look out over his kingdom for what turned out to be the last time. We had now reached the first of the historic school buildings on our right-hand side with the first of the boys boarding houses to our left. Many of the boarding houses had been commissioned by and named after Harrow School masters from the mid 1850’s when the school expanded rapidly. The Masters had obviously taken advantage of a money-making opportunity! We continued past the Speech Room and War Memorial buildings and ascended further, with the old school building on the left, to St Mary’s parish church which sits on the top of the hill. St Mary’s dates back to 1050 and some of the original Norman stonework is still visible at the base of the tower. The hill is 124 metres (408 feet) above sea level and offers views out to Windsor to the West and the City of London and Canary Wharf to the East. It was here in St Mary’s cemetery that Lord Byron sat dreaming on the Peachy family tomb. A spot that he remembered with fondness all his life.

We paused here for lunch with some remaining in the churchyard to picnic while others made their way to the ‘Dolls House’ or the ‘Castle’ public house. After lunch we re-convened at the Speech Room entrance to meet up with our tour-guide Miep.

The school tour lasted 90 minutes and we were taken into some of the historic rooms and buildings such as the Fourth Form Room, School Chapel and War Memorial Building. Unfortunately, the famous Speech Room was closed for renovation works. Miep covered much of the history of the school and gave us an insight into the day-to-day life of the pupils and staff. She told us about the education and welfare provision, the strict discipline and the extensive sports facilities available to the boys. Overall, it was a very interesting and informative tour providing a glimpse into life inside Harrow’s other world.

After the tour Tea and Biscuits were served in the West Street Meeting Room. 

Mick & Dolly