Twenty-two Poly ramblers met at the Angel station Islington, to begin our walk along the Regents Canal covering parts of North and East London. The Regent’s Canal is 8.6mls long and was completed in 1820, dozens of day trip boats, narrow boats and water cafes line this stretch of the canal. The towpath also proved to be very popular with cyclists and joggers just two of the potential hazards on our walk. Our route started with the Hanging Gardens of Islington, as the canal emerged from the tunnel under Islington. After about 5Km the towpath went alongside the edge of Victoria Park where we passed through Canal Gate to make our way to the Pavilion café via the beautiful lake with its Pagoda. Following our lunch, we made our way across the park to enter the Old English Rose Garden which surprisingly still had some roses in flower. Emerging from the Rose Garden we walked alongside a pond and crossed the main path to head for Lock House Gate and the Hertford Union Canal, also known as Duckett’s Cut. At just over a mile long, in the borough of Tower Hamlets, it connects the Regents Canal with the Lee navigation.  We left the canal by ascending steps to Grove Road to re-join the Regents Canal via a grassy bank. After a further 300 meters we approached Mile End Lock where a number of the group left to find a local hostelry, whilst the rest of us crossed the Green Bridge, affectionately known as the banana bridge, built to celebrate the Millennium and to overcome the conflict between Mile End Park and the traffic of the Mile End Road. We continued our route along the canal passing the Ragged School Museum, finally reaching Limehouse lock and our final destination the Yurt Café led by Cathy, highly recommended for its vegan cakes and drinks at a very reasonable price.

Hilary.  Photos by Hilary and Stuart

Twenty six Poly Ramblers turned up to the walk despite revised, longer length route. We set off from Richmond Station and soon hit our first alleyway with blue badge building – Suffield House (Hogarth House) on Paradise Road, where Virginia Woolf once lived. We walked through the narrow Vineyard Passage towards the gothic style St. Matthias Church (designed by Sir George G. Scott) before arriving at Richmond Hill Village. The group enjoyed a fine view from the top of the Richmond Hill which is famously captured by Turner in his paintings. On way down to the Thames path, the Statue of Aphrodite (Bulbous Betty) by Alan Howe 1952 attracted much interest from the group.  We also managed to temporarily misplace one rambler in the Hollyhock Cafe!

We crossed Richmond Lock and Weir to the north side of the River to Isleworth after walked through a busy stretch of the Thames path, before an alleyway turn leading to the Elizabeth Butler‘s Almshouses. We then walked through another alleyway to reach Holm Court, where Van Gogh was once a teaching assistant. We viewed a set of well kept Almshouses before we entered Silverhall nature reserve Park and Mill Plat. Two noticeable features at the month of River Crane to River Thames are the Isleworth Flour Mill and a giant crane (used to upload and offload goods from European cargo barges). Continue reading RICHMOND TO OSTERLEY – 6 NOVEMBER →

Twenty four walkers and  Daisy the dog set off from Stanmore station towards Stanmore Country Park. We welcomed four new walkers.  Considering the weather at the start of the day, we were delighted that the sun shone & blue skies drifted overhead as we set off on the walk.  Entering the country park, we took the Eastern route and followed the Nature trail to Spring Meadows. After a steady climb to viewpoint, we were rewarded with spectacular panoramic view of the capital. Clearly visible were Canary Wharf, The Shard, BT tower, Wembley Stadium to name a few. Continue reading STANMORE CIRCULAR – 30 OCTOBER →

The weather forecast hadn’t been promising but that sort of thing doesn’t put us off, so 13 walkers assembled at Box Hill & West Humble station on what turned out to be a beautiful autumn morning. There was almost no dull road-walking so we were immediately  surrounded by beautiful trees, red & gold leaves & the sort of fungi you hope to see at this time of year. That stretch of the North Downs Way is especially lovely &, despite being mostly in woodland, there was a beautiful quality of light with many gaps in the trees giving views of Leith Hill & further. So pleasing was it that we kept stopping, really just to enjoy being there & the lightness of spirit that comes with the falling cortisol levels that trees are said to cause.

On Monday morning most of the group gathered at the town square in warm sunshine for a final walk along the coast to Durlston Country Park, led by Sandy.  We passed the pier and headed uphill, passing the Portland Stone Ionic columns dating from the early 19th century.  We headed uphill, pausing at the Coast Watch station on Peverill Point.  Later we entered Durlston Country Park.  After a mile or so walking through woodland along the coast we came to Durlston Castle with it’s cafe and globe.  The great globe is one of the largest stone spheres in the world, made of Portland Stone.  It was constructed in Greenwich in 1887 in Mowlem’s stone yard,  and brought to Swanage by sea.  John Mowlem the stonemason was born in Swanage and is commemorated in the town.

All too soon it was time to head back to Swanage by an inland route – no time to visit the cafe sadly.  A lovely end to a great weekend.  Thanks to the organisers and walk leaders.

Gillian.  Photos by Ida and Stuart