An impressive 32 made their way to Killarney where we stayed in several B&B’s. It’s a small town and, as the gateway to the ring of Kerry and the lakes, is given over to tourism. The main streets are very lively with dozens of bars and restaurants and throngs of visitors from all over the world. There’s music everywhere, in bars and hotels and also from street performers. We particularly enjoyed a Scottish busker, complete with golden wig, who had a scurrilous song about Donald Trump to the tune of the Boxer.
As usual there were two levels of walks arranged over the three days. Sandra suggested that those doing the longer walks be called Hikers, and those doing the shorter ones, Strollers. Continue reading Spring Bank Holiday in South West Ireland→
What a lovely day for a walk! The bluebells that were in amongst every clump of trees when we did the walkover two weeks ago had given way to wild garlic and the meadows are now full of buttercups. Horse chestnut trees are in full flower and their leaves luminously bright green despite attacks of leaf blotch in recent years. Lots of wisteria on the few houses and cottages we passed. We were blessed with warm sunshine but when the occasional cloud came over or when we were walking in the shade we could feel the icy wind still reminding us that spring has not yet fully arrived. But the ground was not muddy – in fact in some fields the soil in between the crops was cracked as in severe drought. Continue reading May 15th. Leigh to Sevenoaks→
Having just arrived from home my choir rehearsal the Tuesday before, I went to open my tablet to check something online, whereupon an email arrived from Gillian seeking a leader for this walk, as Jackie couldn’t do it due her recent ankle injury. I turned round to look at my bookshelf, and lo there was the “Time Out” book with the walk in it. And such a lovely walk in a lovely area – it has to go ahead. Continue reading Sunday 8th May. Berwick to Eastbourne→
It was the perfect month to do this walk from East Grinstead and 14 of us discovered why the Bluebell Line is so named. They were in full bloom, along with primula and wood anemone. There were lots of new born lambs and enough sunshine to make it feel like Spring, contrary to the gloomy forecast of Arctic winds. We encountered several groups of laden youngsters doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We stopped to chat to one of the steam railway volunteers. He encouraged us to join them in November for an 11 mile walk of the entire track (one for permanent way enthusiasts!). Only Mike actually saw a steam train, but it was going backwards. Continue reading April 23rd. East Grinstead→
On a fine, sunny morning, 16 Polyramblers set out from Bentley station with a spring in our steps. We walked through open farmland and woodland, and carefully crossed the railway line just south of Froyle Mill by the river Wey. There were late daffodils, early bluebells, plenty of green shoots and very little mud. We encountered many animals – noisy geese, barking dogs, curious Continue reading Saturday 2nd April. Bentley to Alton→
The Polytechnic Rambling Club – Walking with friends
