Twenty of us assembled at Hampstead Station on a sunny but cold morning, preparing to alleviate any excessive indulgence during the Xmas festivities. Our route initially took us through quaint back streets which included the modernist house of the architect Enzo Goldfinger, reputedly the inspiration for a James Bond villain. We crossed over to the Heath and walked to the Hampstead Ponds which were dug in the 17th and 18th centuries to provide drinking water for Londoners. They are fed by the Hampstead Brook which downstream becomes the River Fleet. Walking between them, we then climbed up Parliament Hill to enjoy wide-ranging views of the London skyline. A steepish descent brought us to the Highgate Ponds fed by another arm of the River Fleet. We ambled alongside them until we reached the entrance to the Kenwood grounds and the fine 17th Century house, transformed by Robert Adam into a neo-classical villa. Here we stopped for refreshments before walking past different elements of a Xmas light trail. Entering the heath again, we walked down to the Vale of Health, a small enclave of houses which became fashionable in the 19th Century when the marsh here was drained. Finally we crossed into the Hampstead back streets again before some of us headed for the station and others enjoyed alcoholic refreshment in the Flask pub!

Danny
Photos courtesy of Chris Maslen, Ida Kwan and Nita Patel

Sixteen members, including a famous author and members of the victorious Alas Alsace! quiz team, braved a very cold sunny day to complete a circular walk in the wilds of Kent.

We headed off from Sole Street station through pastures to the outskirts of Henley Wood where the leader had to overcome the disappearance of the footpath under the previous days sprinkling of snow before reaching Luddesdown Court and on through the large vineyards that are now becoming a common feature of the Kent landscape.

Passing through Cobhambury Wood we continued to the village of Cobham and the welcoming Ship Inn for our lunch stop. Rested, we headed off to Henley Street with seasonal views of rolling hills covered in snow. On reaching Henley Street we proceeded to the 350 year old Cock Inn for some warming mulled wine before heading back across fields to Sole Street in time for the train home.

Kim. Photos by Kim, Siew Kee and Joyanna

The forecast was for rain all day, so I was surprised when four dedicated and keen (mad) Poly Ramblers turned up to catch the train to Streatham – after Geoffrey had given an organ concert in London Bridge Station. There were three train or tube station on the walk so there were options to cut it short but, every time I suggested we could go home, I got a firm ‘no’.

We left Streatham station and made our way to Tooting Bec Common which takes its name from the area’s links to Bec Hellouin Abbey in Normandie. We walked around the lake where the ducks were happy with the weather. I tried to take a photo, but my umbrella flew away into the lake. Thankfully, it landed on the edge of the lake, and I was able to retrieve it without falling in. I gave up on taking photos after this but I took some on the recce.

We went into Woodfield Recreation Ground and followed the railway along paths and streets to Balham. More road walking led us to St James’ Triangle and Wandsworth Common where we walked around the lakes before the welcome sight of the Skylark Café. Wandsworth Common was mentioned in the Domesday Book in the 11th century but has shrunk quite a lot since. After exiting the Common, the walk was along streets and in Wandsworth Cemetery due to the lack of green spaces in this area of London.

Finally, we arrived in Wimbledon Park and went up to the large lake which was quite choppy due to the strong wind. The ducks were still happy and bobbing along on the waves. From there, it was a short walk to Wimbledon Park station which we were thankful to reach.

Dominique.  Photos taken by Dominique (on the recce) and Hema