Saturday 2nd April. Bentley to Alton

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

27th March. Oxford and Cambridge boat race

The second walk of the Easter weekend saw nineteen members and Maria’s guide dog Bella set off from Hammersmith along the north bank of the Thames towards Putney. Previously a location for light industry, now upmarket flats predominate. On route, we admired an earth sculpture in the shape of a turtle and paid our respects to a statue of Johnny Haynes outside Fulham football ground. After crossing Putney Bridge to the south bank, the first of two spectacular hail showers courtesy of storm Katie sent us running for cover to a nearby pub. Unfortunately it was yet to open but we were able to find cover. Continue reading 27th March. Oxford and Cambridge boat race

Good Friday 25 March 2016: Watford to Croxley

Eight of us met up at Watford Metropolitan Underground station, some arriving by car. After sorting difficulties with the station carpark ticket machine, we set off amongst the Betjemanesque 1930’s suburbia and soon entered Cassiobury Park. This was once the Home of the Earls of Essex, whose Mansion was dismantled in 1922. The grounds became the park. Crossing the Park in a westward direction we continued over the River Gade and Grand Union Canal, across a golf course and some fields via Redheath Continue reading Good Friday 25 March 2016: Watford to Croxley

Saturday 19 March: Circular Walk in Stonegate (East Sussex)

After a truly depressingly muddy walkover, the conditions on Saturday were wonderful. We kept up a good pace which we needed to do as there were 2 necessary pub stops & some people had engagements in London in the evening. That  part of Sussex is beautiful, not too hilly but pleasingly undulating & the walk was a good mixture of wood & field. We stopped for lunch at Burwash where most of us had sandwiches just outside the churchyard on handily placed benches with a fine view over the valley. Continue reading Saturday 19 March: Circular Walk in Stonegate (East Sussex)

Friday 11 March – Sunday 13 March 2016: Lulworth YHA Weekend

This time, for its yearly hosteling weekend, the club had rented the  Youth Hostel in Lulworth, which forms part of the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site (WHS) – it is also England’s first WHS awarded by UNESCO in December 2001.  There were 17 of us in the 34 bed hostel so there was plenty of room for everybody.   Andrew and Sandy had to cancel but we were joined on the walks by Mike and Heather, her sister and brother in law – who had rented a cottage down the road for a week’s holiday – and by Pam for her last Youth Hostel weekend with us before she returns to Australia.  Continue reading Friday 11 March – Sunday 13 March 2016: Lulworth YHA Weekend