A perfect late autumn  morning in the Chilterns with blue sky and sunshine and frost on the ground attracted 11 Poly Ramblers on Saturday. The walk was surprisingly level and took us through woods and field edge paths east from Beaconsfield to the village of Seer Green and then north to the 250 acre Hodgemoor Woods. It is easy to get lost in woods and Stuart and I almost managed it, having taken the wrong fork early on. But we managed to retrieve the situation with help from the GPS and were soon back on track heading down to the Harte and Magpies on the busy A355. The pub was very friendly and the food came promptly. The pub labrador came to sit under our table and Rob befriended her with chips. Continue reading BEACONSFIELD CIRCULAR – SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER →

Eight Poly Ramblers turned out on a wet and murky Saturday morning for a walk on the borders of Kent and South East London. By the time we alighted the train at Swanley the rain had subsided to a drizzle and we headed off led by Peter along quiet lanes and across muddy fields. After 3 miles we arrived at the Five Bells in Chelsfield where the staff were very friendly and five of us enjoyed a good meal. After lunch Sandy and Nigel decided to call it a day and we left Continue reading SWANLEY CIRCULAR WALK – 4 NOVEMBER →

15 Polyramblers on this pleasant walk along the Stort Navigation. The day started a bit nippy but soon turned warmer, if a bit cloudy. Within 5 minutes of leaving the station, we were along the canal. After the first lock, the walk became more rural, passing Rush Mead Nature Reserve. The canal was busy with fishermen and narrow boats whose owners were getting their boats ready for the winter or enjoying a warm autumn day. We stopped to admire some Highland cattle in a field. We continued along the canal, passing a few more locks until we reached Sawbridgeworth with its maltings and granaries. We stopped there for lunch with a few people heading for the cafe of the antique centre and others having a picnic. We resumed our walk along the canal until we reached Harlow Mill and managed to catch an early train back to London. Continue reading SATURDAY 28th: BISHOP’S STORTFORD to HARLOW MILL (LINEAR): →

Despite dire warnings of pouring rain, weather bombs, storm Brian etc, 9 of us + one small dog screwed up our courage & went on the walk. As it  happened there was very little rain & what there was came mostly at lunch time which hardly mattered. The terrifying gale & flying trees didn’t happen either which was fortunate as the walk was mostly in woodland; there was just the pleasant sound of Continue reading SATURDAY 21st OCTOBER: BENTLEY to FARNHAM →

A Day of Contrasts!

Rob, Rosie Anna and Solvig set off for Hove – a bit earlier than planned due to a cancelled train.  I heard later that Barbara got a later train, and did the same walk although sadly we didn’t meet up. It was a very windy day with a fantastic wild sea, and we all enjoyed walking along the sea front towards the falling-down pier, which managed not to fall down while we were there! Continue reading HOVE TO BRIGHTON WALK – 7 OCTOBER →