Our second walk with the London Blind Ramblers this year, this time  the ‘elite’ section who wanted a longer and more challenging walk than they normally do.  Pam obliged with a walk advertised as 11.2 miles and undulating, and nine (not very elite) Poly Ramblers turned out last Sunday to guide and support the group.  Pam was relieved to find that we had sufficient Poly guides for the blind walkers. We  soon arrived at Knockholt and set off along the edge of a golf course at a brisk pace.  This continued through fields and Continue reading SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER: KNOCKHOLT CIRCULAR WITH LONDON BLIND RAMBLERS →

On a  sunny morning 9 of us started the Circular walk from Hampstead tube station. We walked through Hampstead Village, attractive woodlands, Heath Ponds ascending the summit of Parliament Hill. In spite of a gentle mist and drizzle on the hill, we still had a magnificent panorama view over Central London. We continued the leisurely walk along Highgate Ponds before reaching Kenwood House for lunch. At this point Hazel departed from the group. After lunch and visit to Art Collection in Kenwood House, we headed towards Barbara Hepworth’s and Henry Moore’s sculptures. Then onwards to the Wood Pond in the valley bottom, where Kenwood House emerges on the hill – magnificent view! Continue reading Saturday August 5th, Hampstead circular →

With the rival attraction of Barbara and Hazel’s walk, I was pleased that 8 of us turned up at Waterloo Station. It was the first day of the major upgrade of the station, involving closing 10 platforms. The normally fast trains to Alton were making additional stops so it was well after 11.00 am by the time we started our walk. The weather was dry and pleasantly warm but rain was forecast for later. A short climb from the station soon brought us to a fine view to the south, from where  our route took us to West Worldam and towards Selbourne before turning west. It became quite overcast with spots of rain so we had an early picnic with shelter near at hand. In fact the sun came out and we enjoyed a very pleasant stop, until Pam was stung by a bee. Fortunately Irene was on hand with the necessary supplies and expertise to render prompt first aid. Continue reading Saturday 5th August. Alton circular →

16 Polyramblers set out from Amersham station on what was a sunny morning, but with heavy rain forecast for later in the day.  We walked downhill through woods to Old Amersham and from there across wheat fields to the village of Coleshill.  Unfortunately, lack of concentration on my part meant  that we took the wrong path but thanks to Stuart’s local knowledge we got back on track and rejoined our path outside the village of Winchmore Hill.  From here we walked through woods and more beautiful rolling wheat fields which I think show off the Chilterns at its best and eventually reached the village of Penn Street where we an excellent pub lunch.  Continue reading Saturday 29th July. Amersham circular →

From the station, we walked uphill to Manningtree church where we joined the Essex Way which we followed most of the day. We reached the waterfront and followed the Stour estuary to Mistley, famous for its twin church towers and its witch finder. We left the riverside to walk across pastures, woodlands – passing old oaks including Old Knobbley – and wheat fields. We had our picnic lunch Continue reading SATURDAY 22 JULY: MANNINGTREE to WRABNESS (ESSEX) (LINEAR) →