This was a ten mile walk from Faversham to Whitstable following both the Saxon Shore way and the England Coast path. We were advised in advance to remember our swimming costumes, however, the overcast weather didn’t quite live up to our expectations. We started our walk at Faversham the oldest market town in Kent an important seaport and a centre for brewing. The Shepherd Neame Brewery is still an important industry. We wondered through some old fishing huts now used as a craft and antiques centre before reaching the estuary with a number of fishing boats moored up. Our route took us through mudflats following the sea wall, where we stopped for our picnic. The sun had broken through and it was ideal for the walk. There was a wonderful array of wild flowers, grasses and butterflies. We stopped at Seasalter (a centre for salt production in the iron age and raided by the Vikings) for a well-earned ice cream seated on the sea wall with views of the Isle of Sheppey across the estuary of the river Swale. We arrived in Whitstable, famous for its Native Oysters which were collected from beds beyond the low water mark. The annual Whitstable Oyster festival takes place during the summer. We wondered past a number of beach huts arriving at Whitstable’s delightful pebble beach and the Old Neptune Pub. Father’s Day made any chance of a meal at the pub unlikely, however we stopped at a well-known outdoor eatery selling Oyster’s, chips and some excellent cider and Kent Lager. We all enjoyed a sit-down on the beach with our food enjoying the sun and views and one brave person swimming. We hastily departed for the station as the trains only ran hourly and ended up taking a circular scenic route to the station. Gini caught up with us, having stopped to buy some fish, with just one minute before the train arrived. Thanks, Jackie, for a lovely seaside day out.

Hilary

16 Polys met at Tadworth Station, including one potential new member. The forecast was fine and we set off hopefully in search of the official start of the hike, at Walton on the Hill. After passing the little secluded Bell Inn, known locally as the Rat – nobody knows why. We encountered the first of 3 Coal Posts. Andrew explained that they represented tithe points to tax Londoners for coal brought in from outside town. The posts stated details of the date of the parliamentary act which introduced the tax.  There are still 250 of these posts in existence.

We walked through pleasant bridleways and under the M25 to Headley Village which is recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as Hallega, meaning a clearing in the heather.  On reaching the church we traversed the graveyard and saw the wooden tombs.  Shortly afterwards we stopped at the Headley Village Store and Tea Room for refreshments and debates regarding the virtues of vegan factor 50 sun tan lotion.

We went on via Thresher’s Dean through Headley Heath, a wonderful expanse of heather, birch and light oak with great views, following the orange posts to a beautiful picnic spot and enjoyed our lunch in the sunshine.

Then we descended the North Downs towards Betchworth Station, where one member decided to take and alternative route home. After a false start on a very busy road we found the alternative route, and then inadvertently ‘joined’ one leg of the North Downs Pilgrim Challenge – a 66 mile ultra-marathon! The runners were plentiful but very polite when they passed us.  However, please note that their route avoided the imminent serious ascent which the Polys took in their stride!  It was a short but challenging climb which was rewarded by refreshments at the Sportsman Pub in Mogador – where we found our second coal post.  Sadly no tea and cake this time but plenty of cold drinks and a garden to enjoy.  We then had a leisurely stroll across Banstead Heath – and saw a third coal post in the middle of the heath. This took us to Walton on the Hill and admired the picturesque pond in the centre of the village and then on the last leg through to Tadworth station.

This was our first time leading a larger group and we hope the others enjoyed it as much as we did!

Rochelle and Stephen

This walk was section 17 of the London Loop. It is a long rural section through Trent Country Park, the farmland of Enfield Chase, Hilly Fields and finishing up at Forty Hall. Fifteen Poly Ramblers joined me at Cockfosters Station. The sixteenth Poly Rambler caught up with us at Trent Country Park which has some lovely wooded sections including a large lake. We passed Camelot Moat thought to have been the Seat of Geoffrey de Mandeville during the reign of William the Conqueror. We continued our walk following Salmon Brook and eventually stopped for a picnic at Hilly fields under a large Oak Tree. Unfortunately, Enfield Council had decided to do bridge repairs over Salmon Brook which was supposed to have been completed last year! We took direct action and got through the barrier and waded through the water or over stepping stones without getting too wet. In the meantime, Danny had moved on to the Rose and Crown Pub just half a mile further on where we joined him for a refreshing drink. I was informed that Dick Turpin had been the Land Lord of the pub. Our final stop was at Forty Hall a grade 1 listed Jacobean mansion. We just had time to explore the walled gardens walk around the lake and admire the ancient Cedar of Lebanon before finishing our walk at Turkey Street Station

Hilary

On what promised to be a beautiful, hot sunny day 15 Polys set off from Petts Wood station in South London. After winding through the woods, saved from developers by local people and donated to the National Trust in 1927, we came upon the William Willett memorial sundial. This commemorates his support for the introduction of daylight saving in a pamphlet in 1907 which paved the way for the introduction of BST. We crossed St. Paul’s Cray road and soon entered Scadbury Park, now a nature reserve. We passed the remains of the Tudor manor, first recorded in the thirteenth century and owned for over two hundred years by the Walsingham family. We emerged from the woods and took our lunch break on the outskirts of Chislehurst. While the majority of the party ate their picnic lunch in the grounds of St. Nicholas Church, others visited the café or pub. In the afternoon we passed through St. Paul’s Cray common into the Hawkwood estate, another area saved from developers with private funds and donated to the National Trust in 1957. Here the rolling fields of Tong Farm created a contrast with the pretty woodland as we followed a stream towards three railway bridge crossings and back to Petts Wood station. Four of us stayed for tea and cake at the end of a very pleasant day out, all within the boundary of Greater London.

Thanks to Ida for the photos

Susan

A very pleasant walk, starting with time to explore the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle.  We headed up on to Berkhamsted Common and then into woods, passing a WW1 trench.  A picnic lunch on logs on the edge of the impressive Ashridge College.  We got rather chilly but were rewarded with hot drinks and cake at the delightful Courtyard Cafe in the college grounds.   Any sort of eating out is a treat after so many months of lockdown.  The last part of the walk took us through Frithsden Beeches, a lovely woodland conservation area.  Eventually we arrived back in Berkhamsted where Hilary persuaded most of the group to divert from the station to view the newly hand painted plaques on the canal bridge.    Half the group  then repaired to a canal side pub for a convivial hour or so (although I am embarrassed to say it took us the best part of half this time to master the online ordering system sufficiently to get our drinks)!

Thanks to Hilary for leading and to Ida for the photos.

Gillian