17 walkers for this London walk on a lovely summer evening starting from Farringdon, one of the earliest stations to be completed (1863). We made our way to the Clerk’s Well which was rediscovered in 1924 during building work. The walk then took us to the Sessions House – which is now a Masonic Hall, the Marx Memorial Library (it was originally an 18th century school for poor Welsh children and later was the home of ’20th Century Press’ where Lenin published), the old Hugh Myddleton School (named Continue reading Wednesday 20 June 2018: Evening walk in Clerkenwell →

Saturday’s walk was beautiful, combining flat paths through summer meadows with the glories of the South downs. We were well rewarded after our two mighty slogs up onto the South Downs Way by views either side & lark song, then lovely chalk paths down to the valleys & refreshment stops. The tea shop in Ditchling will be forever remembered as the place where Sunita gave the tea 10/10. This has always seemed an academic number, no tea could ever be that good, but she stood firm so Ditchling is a place to remember & return to. It seemed a shame not to enjoy such a beautiful day to the full so at the end of the walk we all had a drink in the garden of the Jack & Jill pub in Clayton, just before Hassocks station.  

Harriet Continue reading Saturday 9 June 2018 : PLUMPTON to HASSOCKS (LINEAR). →

13 Polyramblers for this 10 mile walk on a cloudy day which became brighter and quite hot as the day progressed. We started with a gentle slope to reach the ridge which we followed to Stone Cross and continued along the Wealdway path to Fordcombe. We resisted the temptation to stop in the pub for an early drink. We momentarily lost 3 ramblers but found them again. We walked through meadows to reach the river Medway which we followed for a while until we crossed it. We then walked along a farm track and up a steep hill at the top of which was the welcome sight of our lunch stop: The Spotted Dog public house. The afternoon walk continued through lovely countryside until we reached some woodland where the path was quite muddy. We followed Kent Water and met the Medway again. No time to stop at Willett’s Farm to sample some of their 21 flavours of ice cream; we had an hourly train to catch which we did with 10 minutes to spare. A lovely walk through the Weald of Kent. Continue reading Saturday 2nd June. Penshurst area (Kent) circular. →

On a greyish but dry morning 8 Polys met at Marylebone station and 3 more joined them at Saunderton, having driven. We set off and encountered a few muddy sections but the weather improved as we progressed. After navigating, with a little difficulty as the path was partly water logged, through the woods on Naphill Hill common, we reached Hughendon Manor (where Disraeli had lived). Some picnicked in the pretty gardens while others partook of the home made dishes served in the cafe. Continue reading 13th May. Saunderton circular via West Wycombe →

Twenty-seven  excited,  noisy, uncontrollable  walkers  met (eventually) at the station at Theydon Bois (according to the Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names “Probably “valley where thatching materials are got” plus manorial suffix from the “de Bosco” or “Boys” family, here in the 12th century”) for what turned out to be a delightful walk in the warm summery April sunshine. Just a light breeze to keep us cool. Once we had negotiated a narrow path beside a treacherous ditch and our only steep although not very long climb and crossing the M25 (thoughts of Gerald) we were soon in the dappled sunlight filtering through the fresh green of the huge trees of Epping Forest.  Picnic lunch in the shade of the trees, seated on conveniently sited decaying logs. Forget ants in your pants, I was more worried about stag beetles! But no insect invasions were reported. Continue reading EPPING FOREST (CIRCULAR) with the LONDON BLIND RAMBLERS 22 APRIL →