Despite Barnes Bridge station being closed the evening before and a
mediocre weather forecast, we enjoyed a pleasant and warm walk along the Thames path with blue skies and in bright sunshine. There were many boats and birds to see and plenty of places to stop on the way. The walk ended at Richmond.

Rob

Thirty one  members and one guest convened at Richmond station on Easter Saturday for an enjoyable walk along the Thames through Petersham Meadows and on into Richmond Park. Fortunately the tow path was not too busy despite the glorious sunny day. There was some discussion, not entirely resolved, about the identity of a water bird. Some thought it was a juvenile Egyptian Goose, which I have now discovered is actually a duck! We walked along between the trees of Elm Walk, where disease resistant elm trees have been planted to re-establish the species in the park after it was decimated by Dutch Elm Disease. Sir Richard Attenborough planted the first one. Just before we arrived at the Isabella Plantation we saw a large herd of deer grazing, with one practically greeting walkers in the middle of the path. We stopped for lunch at the plantation where members dispersed to find a bench in a quiet spot for their picnic. Although only a couple of rhododendrons were out, we were able to admire the heather and camelias. The stream was ablaze with bright yellow American Skunk Cabbage (yes, I had to look it up) and Marsh Marigolds and a family of ducklings was to be seen on the pond. After recuperating two members who couldn’t find their way back to the entrance, we proceeded via Pen Ponds to Pembroke Lodge. Here we stopped, some at the kiosk and others at the cafe on the terrace, for tea before returning down into Richmond and the station. It was altogether a very enjoyable day in the good company of so many members, some of whom I for one had not seen for a while.

Susan.  Photos by Stuart and Jill.

Despite the poor weather forecast, eleven members and two guests assembled at Wraysbury station on Sunday 26th March for a circular walk of 4.5 miles around a quiet corner of the County of Berkshire. Leaving the station car park, the group crossed the Colne Brook by a bridge and then followed it along a muddy path adjacent to a reservoir embankment with grazing sheep. We then went over a railway level crossing via our only two stiles of the day before walking alongside an expanse of water with surprisingly few signs of wildlife. Reaching the village of Hythe End, we followed a busy road for a short while before entering the National Trust Anderwycke Estate and a path down to the Thames opposite Runnymede. A sharp rain shower greeted us at this point and the going was difficult with lots of puddles and copious amounts of mud. Eventually, we left the river bank and passed within sight of the ruins of a priory founded in 1160 for Benedictine nuns. Crossing a number of fields, we reached the grade 2 listed Wraysbury parish church of St Andrews. Unfortunately, it was closed so we moved on through the village to our lunch stop at the Perseverance pub, adjacent to an old windwill converted into a family home. We sat under cover in the pub garden eating picnics as only drinks were available for our party. A quick march then took us the half-mile to the station so that we didn’t miss the hourly service back into London. An enjoyable day despite the weather!

Danny
Photos courtesy of Patricia Burbidge and Almas Jetha

This walk was laid on at very short notice to replace a walk that had had to be cancelled because the leader was recovering from covid. An old Poly Rambler favourite, it was offered because it didn’t require much planning and is always a lovely walk.  After the deluge of the day before, the weather was looking promising as 14 Poly Ramblers emerged from Otford station into bright sunshine. Fortunately, it stayed dry for the rest of the day. Continue reading OTFORD TO EYNSFORD – SATURDAY 25 MARCH →