Eight Polyramblers gathered outside Luton Airport Parkway station for a 7.5 mile circular walk. It was 11am on a very frosty but sunny January morning  (Earlier,  when I set out from home, my phone showed a temperature of -3C!).  

We all set off across the station car park and approach, negotiating roundabouts onto a B road signposted to Wheathampstead. Then we climbed through a narrow piece of woodland up onto a higher level A road, proceding 100 yds along its footway until we saw a footpath sign to the right leading up some steps into a field on higher ground. The path at the top of the steps followed near the perimeter fence of Luton Airport for about a mile on our left. There was a view of the new Dart shuttle train  and much sound of arriving and departing (mostly EasyJet) aircraft. After traversing a few open fields the path turned half right and away from the airport. Soon we reached a row of cottages beside the ruins of Someries Castle. All that remains of this 15th century manor house is the gatehouse and chapel, it is one of the earliest brick structures in England. We spent a little time exploring the ruins in the bright sunshine.  We then  continued SE along a straight track which soon became a lane taking us into Peter’s Green for lunch.

Most of the party went inside The Bright Star public house, the remainder using seating on the green to eat their own food. Inside the pub was a roaring wood burning stove, and we were served with very welcome vegetable soup. And greeted by a very friendly hound  who took an interest in sniffing my rucksack, as it had sausage rolls inside!!

After lunch and a photostop on the green  we took a  path SW across fields, somewhat muddy in places, leading us down into the Upper Lea Valley at East Hyde. Crossing the road along the valley bottom, we took a lane from the other side over the river then a right turn onto a northbound track, being the trackbed of the once Luton,  Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway. This soon passed under today’s busy  Midland Main Line, carrying frequent express and Thameslink trains. The track continued along the valley,  beside sewage works on the right, then eventually passed the woods and parkland of Luton Hoo to the left. We came across two metal statues, one of Eric Morecambe, and the other representing Capability Brown who both have associations with the local area. The track soon led us back to the roundabouts and the approach to Luton Airport Parkway station. 

It was now 4 o’clock and getting dusky and colder. Here three polyramblers decided to take a short diversion for refreshment at Costa Coffee before the journey home, the rest headed straight into the station for their train back to London.

Geoffrey

Photos by Gillian, Pam, Chris and Geoffrey

The Wandle trail is a path along the Wandle Valley from Croydon to Wandsworth following the river Wandle.  This river was a hub of industrial mills and printing with William Morris and Liberty owning factories on its banks.

We chose to start our 7.5 mile hike at Earlsfield and walk to Carshalton Ponds, avoiding some of the less salubrious parts. For the first hike of the new year, 20 hikers started out enjoying the mild (for this time of the year) weather with no indication of rain.  Being a cycle and walking trail, the going was good, with only one part being a bit muddy.  The route had many parts which were wooded with water fowl and it was easy to imagine we weren’t in London.

We crossed the Croydon Tram before stopping for lunch at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property with good facilities.  At this point 3 members chose to cut it short and alighted the Tram. 

The rest of us negotiated the upper reaches of the Wandle which were equally tranquil, only having to negotiate the fishermen (a good sign the river is in good condition).  After arriving at Carshalton Ponds (one of the sources of the Wandle), we the made our way to Carshalton Station with its frequent trains to London Bridge and Victoria.

In hindsight we were lucky and just missed the stormy weather which arrived that evening once safely home. 

Stephen

Photos by Ida and Stephen

Nineteen polyramblers met at Hammersmith Station on a cold, dry, misty morning.  After a quick safety briefing we headed towards the river Thames. 

We crossed the river via  Hammersmith Bridge, still undergoing repairs but open to pedestrians and joined the Thames Path to Putney Bridge.

We passed several boat yards that were closed, due to holiday season, so we were able to enjoy the river and some views, mist permitting. We were able to see Fulham Football Ground that has also undergone major refurbishment. 

We crossed Putney Bridge and had a packed lunch at Bishops Park. After a short lunch break we walked in the grounds of Bishops Palace with lovely wood carvings by Andrew Frost. 

The palace has an interesting history and I will be going back in the spring to see the museum and try out the tea shop.

We made our way back to the river, passing Fulham Football supporters. We passed the Blu River Cafe, saw the statue of Capability Brown and passed by Riverside Studios with its photographs of iconic pop stars before returning to Hamersmith Station.

Sunita

[Ed.- The walk was led jointly by Sunita and Jackie  C.]

Photos by Julia, Gillian, Rochelle and Chris

Twelve Poly Ramblers met at Kings Cross Station for a meander through lesser-known places between Kings Cross and Camden Lock. We began with Keystone Crescent, the houses built in 1846 consisting of charming and compact houses. The London Canal Museum was our next stop, a fascinating exhibition of the history
of canal life in London and the Victorian ice trade that once kept London supplied with ice for chilling food which arrived by canal boat. We made our way through Barnsbury, a fashionable district with well-kept Victorian houses and passing a famous pub completely obscured by greenery, the Hemingford Arms. Continuing down Wheelwright Street we were confronted with the massive
bulk of Pentonville Prison.
We eventually arrived at Caledonian Park where there is a plaque announcing ‘Copenhagen House famous tavern and tea garden stood here from early 17c to 1855. The Caledonian market was held here from 1870s to 1939.’ Caledonian market was the result of a long overdue decision to move Smithfield market with its thousands of cattle, sheep, pigs geese etc. driven from all parts of the country. The sounds and smells of this open air abattoir was finally too much for the City corporation and the market closed permanently in 1939 and became a Bric-a -Brac market.
We stopped for lunch at the Tolpuddle Café. The clock tower there marked the place where a massed march and petition was held in 1834 in support of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, imprisoned for belonging to an early trade union.
After lunch we followed a long straight cobbled mews with an eclectic mix of old and new buildings before ending our walk at Camden Road station.

Hilary .  Photos by Hilary and Nita

Nine determined Poly Ramblers set off from Pangbourne Station despite warnings of storms and heavy rain. Our route took us through Whitchurch. Passing on a toll bridge over the river, built in
1792 to replace the ferry to bring your sheep or lambs across the Thames! The present iron bridge of 1902 replaces two previous wooden toll bridges. Today, pedestrians cross the bridge toll-free although there is still a charge for cars.  We walked past St Mary’s Church, in Whitchurch dating from the twelfth century. St
Birynius is said to have landed at the ferry crossing at Whitchurch and, on seeing how fine the place was, decided to build a church there.

The route continued along part of the Thames Path National Trail (which opened in 1996) past Coombe Park, to a wood with lovely views down to the Thames before climbing through a nature reserve and Great Chalk Wood.  The rain held off for most of the morning and as the clouds darkened we took a short cut to Hill Bottom and the Sun Inn where they very kindly allowed us to sit in their conservatory and eat our packed lunch as they had only limited food options for sale.   We all bought drinks and some of us did so after lunch so we could sit in the main pub and enjoy the fire whilst the heavens opened. Fortunately the rain had eased a little when we left and proceeded through a small park before re-connecting with the original route to go through woods and fields, then back down through Whitchurch. We retraced our steps over the bridge to Pangbourne Station  to catch the train home. By which time we were all a little soggy but agreed it was a beautiful walk and would be a perfect addition to a summer programme another year!.

Rochelle, with many thanks to Les for the photos.