After a two-year interruption, we decided to resume the snow-walking weekends. This time, we stayed four nights to be able to do three walks. As the time to leave got nearer, snow was lacking in the mountains. Would it just be a walking weekend? Never mind, we were keen to see the mountains. At Heathrow, one member of the group was missing but we were eventually reunited at the gate (phew!) and eight Poly Ramblers flew to Munich on Friday 13. After travelling on three different trains, we finally arrived in time for dinner at the Hotel Goldene Rose in Reutte, a small Austrian market town located on the river Lech. Continue reading SNOW WALKING WEEKEND – REUTTE, AUSTRIA. JANUARY 2023
All posts by Gillian
Xmas lunch and Bloomsbury walk – 11 December
On a bright but cold Sunday morning, twenty-seven members gathered at Tottenham Court Road station for a short walk to whet appetites for the Club Xmas Lunch later that day. The Bloomsbury area with its literary connections and numerous fine squares was the location for the stroll. The group first headed for the perfectly preserved Georgian Bedford Square which was the centre of British publishing until the late 1980s. Passing many blue plaques, we then moved on to London University’s imposing Senate House on which George Orwell is reputed to have based his ‘Ministry Of Truth’ in the novel 1984. Next, three squares Russell, Woburn and Gordon followed in quick succession before reaching Tavistock Square with its memorial stone to conscientious objectors at one end and a statue of Gandhi at its centre. The eclectic neighbourhoods of Tavistock Street and Lambs Conduit Street on either side of Brunswick Square were traversed before Red Lion was our final square where the Ethical Society has its headquarters at Conway Hall. A few minutes more and the walking group were inside the Freemasons Arms pub in Long Acre. There a further sixteen members and one guest joined the party before adjourning to the upstairs function room for an excellent repast served by the efficient and friendly staff. Our chair Hilary thanked everyone for their contribution to the Club over the past year before everyone headed home to the prospect for many of heavy snowfall overnight.
Danny. Photos courtesy of ida
Manor Park circular – 27 November
Ten members met up at Manor Park station on Sunday 27th November for a figure-of-eight pleasant meander along the borders of Epping Forest. Initially, the route skirted the perimeter of the Grade-1 listed City of London Cemetery, one of the largest municipal cemeteries in Europe. It was established in 1826 and covers 200 acres. Bobby Moore amongst many others is buried there. The River Roding then came into view and the group followed it until we reached the entrance to Wanstead Park. Soon the welcoming sight of the Tea Hut appeared where we stopped for some refreshment. The park was a formal landscape surrounding Wanstead House but now only contains fragments of the estate. These include two follies. One called the Temple which is now a visitor centre. The other is a grade 11 listed building called the Grotto which was patially destroyed by fire in 1884. It is now being restored along with its landing stage. Both were seen before we passed the Tea Hut again and continued our walk alongside Heronry Pond. Leaving the park, we soon crossed Wanstead Flats to the Golden Fleece pub where most of the group had an excellent late-lunch. It was the venue of the Club’s Xmas Lunch in 2011. A short walk then took us back to Manor Park station.
Danny. Photos courtesy of Fiona Thomson
Northwick Park to Greenford – 2 December
On arriving at Northwick Park Station my heart sank to discover the toilets were closed due to a blockage. We set off, walking through Northwick Park with the hospital on our right. Turning right we followed the path between the golf course and hospital to Watford Road and along Pebworth Road. Continuing behind the farm, past the playing fields of the Harrow School, to St. Mary’s Church. Poly Ramblers dispersed into the church and back courtyard as there was the Christmas fair, a chance for tea, cake and a comfort stop. After taking in Byron’s grave and views from the viewpoint we made our way to the Ballot Box Pub, passing John Lyon School, and Perivale station, a drop off point for some, after lunch. I had not booked the pub as I was assured it should be ok. On entering, the barman was a bit cold but once the orders were placed, our food & drinks arrived quickly with good service. On leaving the Barman said ‘enjoy the rest of your walk’, and we did. We went to the top of Horsenden hill and viewpoint. Horsenden Hill: 2,500 years ago, Iron Age people settled on the hill, leaving behind large amounts of pottery. The Iron Age settlement is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. During WW1, the summit came to the fore with a sighting of an anti-aircraft gun pulled by a horse- a defence against German airships. Today at around 84 meters (275 feet) it provides a natural viewpoint in London & is a popular kite flying spot. A stop at the farm provided another opportunity to buy cakes and drinks. From here we followed the Paddington Arm of the Grand Junction Canal: In the 1800’s the opening of this junction enabled hay, the area’s main product, to be shipped into London in great bulk. In return London sent Horsenden ‘Mack’- an unpleasant mix of street sweepings, fish, meat offal & horse dropping – to be used as manure for the fields. The final stretch along the canal led us through woodland to Greenford Station.
Carol & Sunita. Photos by Stuart
Chessington to Cheam – 19 November
Glad of a slightly later start, 18 Polyramblers gathered at Chessington South Station at 10.20 to begin the 9 mile walk to Cheam.
The first section traversed several nature reserves following the Bonesgate Stream into Horton Country Park and then into the woods of Castle Hill Nature Reserve, Hogsmill Riverside Nature Reserve and followed part of the London Loop. The path was strewn with yellow leaves, flat and easy to follow and not too muddy. This is a varied walk, mainly in open spaces with plenty of historical interest and all within the zone 6 boundary.
After crossing Moor Lane and a comfort stop at the William Bourne Pub the walk continued on the Hogsmill Walk Path through woods and fields and finally entering Ewell Court Park. After a slight overshoot the walk picked up the path again and left the park passing the 18 century Pack Horse Bridge which is a listed building. We crossed the Hogsmill river on some man-made stepping- stones and then went under the railway line through a low tunnel and on until we reached Chessington Road. After a tricky crossing we entered Bourne Hall Park where we stopped for a picnic lunch and a hot drink at the coffee shop in the museum/library. The Library was built in 1970 and granted Grade II listed status for its ‘space age flair’. Continue reading Chessington to Cheam – 19 November