It was a nice summer evening for this walk through some of the City’s gardens. There were 19 of us – we could have been 20 but Danny was doing his washing. Our first stop was Finsbury Circus which was originally part of the Finsbury Manor Estate. The garden was shut for a number of years as the centre of the site was used as an access shaft for Crossrail. Next was the small garden of All Hallows on the Wall and the larger garden of St Botolph without Bishopsgate with one of the abstract sculptures from the City Trail. We went up to the Victorian bathhouse and then headed to Devonshire Square, then Cutlers gardens and Jubilee Gardens. We made our way to the Swiss Re Tower. The walk description says: ‘it is one of the most distinctive buildings in London’s skyline to date. It is 590 ft (180 m) tall, making it the second tallest building in the City of London after Tower 42.’ How things have changed since this was written! We made a small detour to St Helen’s Church and then headed to St Andrew Undershaft. The name Undershaft appeared in the 15th century and was derived from the tradition of raising a maypole each year, directly opposite the church. The maypole is still there but by the Leadenhall building. We went past the Lloyd Building to Fen Court where we were entertained by a big rat running around the garden. This old churchyard contains the ‘Guilt of Cain’ sculpture commissioned to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in 2008. We then turned into Fenchurch Street and, at number 120, after going through security checks, we went up to the rooftop garden. It’s a beautiful garden with a water feature and amazing views. Continue reading MOORGATE TO TOWER HILL – 2ND AUGUST →

As we made our way to Mucking and though the Stanford Warren Nature Reserve to the sluice gate on Mucking Creek, some of the 12 walkers who were on the walk on this sunny day had an impression of deja-vu which caused some confusion. I explained that we did this bit in reverse last April and we had to do it again to join the walk where we left it. Reassured they were not going mad, the group continued along the sea wall above Mucking Flats and Stanford le Hope marshes with views of the London Gateway container port in the distance. After crossing the railway line leading to the port, we joined Rainbow Lane and then crossed a new blue bridge over the access road to the port. We followed a path along the access road and then a lane, arriving in Corringham. We made our way to the Bull pub and Corringham Church, our lunch stops. Continue reading Saturday 2 July: Thames Valley Estuary Path part 3 – Stanford le Hope to Pitsea (Essex) →

 Six of us set out from Chigwell station. The weather was beautiful,  though as the day went on we were glad to escape into the trees now and then as a break from the sun. Lunch was taken at a cafe by the lake in Hainault Forest Country Park. After that we skirted the park and,  with the help of Geoffrey’s gps, managed to cross a golf course. Loop signs, when visible, were directing us into bushes and along overgrown paths. Going southeast we reached and crossed Havering Country park. Members commented on how the walk felt more like a countryside walk rather than one actually in London. Some highlights of the walk were the numerous horses we came across and the tall redwood trees in Havering Country park (pics). On reaching Harold Hill we were able to cross the town via little parks, treat ourselves to ice cream and avoid main roads to reach the station. Many of us had our first experience on the new Elizabeth line home.  Photos attached

Jackie

Sorry for the delay in writing this walk up. The trouble is that it was devised, planned and walked over many times by Harriet until it was perfect but ten days before the due date Harriet had a minor misstep at home and fractured her patella! So I have taken time to pluck up the courage to tell you, those of you who were not on the walk, that it went really well and turned out to be the best walk I can remember! Yes, it was hot (25°C) and there are three steep slopes to be climbed, but there was a soothing breeze and the climbs are not that long, really! We have walked it before in different weather and I still remember the icy wind in my seaward ear as we walked along the ridge of the Downs one winter’s walkover! The group (10 in all) entered into the challenge of the occasion, taking seriously the fact that we had to keep up a steady pace in order to get to the tea shop in Glynde by 4pm to allow time to eat our delicious home-made cake and drink our speciality tea in appropriate style! Once through charming gardens and past the historic buildings on the edge of Lewes, including Anne of Cleves’ house, which we vow to visit each time we pass, over the bridge above the A27, we started on the relatively gently slope up to the South Downs Way, past a solitary windmill and then onto the chalk path up to the ridge. We remarked upon the number of lone lycra-clad cyclists in circulation during the course of the day. Continue reading Lewes circular via Rodmell, Southease and Glynde, 23rd July →