In pouring rain, ten heroic ramblers set off from Little Venice along the canal towards Regents Park. Enroute we encountered a band of trainee cyclists who wobbled their way past us as we stood well clear. Turning into the park, we walked beside the lake to a cafe where we had a well-deserved stop for coffee and cake. By this time the rain had eased and we continued through the park past a pair of black swans in the Rose Garden and with glimpses of llamas and penguins in the zoo. We stopped for an excellent lunch in the Pembroke Castle before climbing up Primrose Hill for a very misty view of the London skyline. Returning to the canal as the rain started again, we retraced our steps back to Little Venice passing the grandly refurbished Crockers Folly pub and the residence of Guy Gibson of Dambusters fame. On completion of this very damp walk, everyone deserved a medal but unfortunately all they got was a Fox’s glacier fruit!

Danny

Image: Canal basin at Little Venice.  Charles Drakew

Eighteen polyramblers joined us for this walk; sixteen of travelled by train and Gillian and Stuart joined us at Wendover. After Peter had confirmed the pub reservation we made our way toward the Boer War Monument on top of Coombe Hill. After the rain on Friday we were grateful for a clear sunny day and were able to enjoy the wonderful views – Ellensborough church, Ivinghoe Beacon, Chequers (David Cameron’s country retreat).

Continue reading Saturday 25 July: Longer walk: Wendover (Circular) →

It was a walk of contrasts; we began walking along a two hundred year old canal and finished close to a 21st century eco power station at Hoddesdon. In between we walked along three rivers: the Stort, the Lea, and the New River, taking in pleasant meadows, and the odd nature reserve at Hunsdon. The New Inn at Roydon was our pub Continue reading Saturday 18 July: Harlow Town to Broxbourne (Herts) →

Saturday was a beautiful sunny morning with a light breeze, perfect for walking the first stage of the Icknield Way. Things got off to an inauspicous start as the leaders were a few minutes late meeting the group at Tring and Dominique had missed the train at Euston (long ticket queue).  So Stuart set off with a group of 12 to begin the 3 mile uphill trek towards Ivinghoe Beacon while Irene and I waited for the next train.  After the first half mile I gave Dominique the map and let Continue reading Saturday 16th May: Icknield Way Stage One: Ivinghoe Beacon (Tring) to Dunstable →