17 Polyramblers for this evening walk starting from Sloane Square. We passed the Duke of York’s Headquarters, built to provide a home for children of soldiers’ widows, which is now the home of the Saatchi Gallery and where the Tutankhamun exhibition is taking place. Then we continued to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, built by Christopher Wren. None of the Polyramblers meet the criteria to live there. There are carol services in the Wren Chapel in December Continue reading Tuesday 4th February Evening walk :Battersea Power Station’s First Light Festival
1st February Guildford circular
After a week of damp and dull weather, some improvement had been forecast and 16 of us stepped off the train into watery sunshine. A number of us hadn’t been to Guildford and were surprised to see the remains of the castle and it’s well manicured grounds, virtually in the town centre. (Yes, it is town, despite having a cathedral. City status is apparently granted by the monarch, and although applications have been made in the past, they have been unsuccessful.) We headed steadily uphill past increasing larger and desirable houses emerging onto Pewsey Downs. By this time the sun had come out properly and we enjoyed extensive views towards the South Downs. Continue reading 1st February Guildford circular
25th January Box Hill to Leatherhead
A walk of two halves on Saturday. Fifteen Poly Ramblers, led by Harriet, alighted at Box Hill and Westhumble station along with several other walking groups. We headed towards the stepping stones over the River Mole, but only Stuart and Chris were game to cross them as the river was quite high, the rest of the group opting for the bridge. Then we had to tackle Box Hill itself, a long series of steep steps. At the top we were rewarded by ……. zero visibility due to the mist. A little later we tackled White Hill, a long series of even steeper steps. For there it was level and then downhill to Mickleham. Continue reading 25th January Box Hill to Leatherhead
17th-20th January. Snow walking in Scharnitz Austria
Friday. A small and bijou group this year with only 6 participants. We flew to Innsbruck with BA and took a bus to the station. After some dithering about lunch in Innsbruck or Scharnitz, we decided to take the train and make our way to Scharnitz. This train journey is very scenic. We checked in our B&B, Gastehaus Frankenhof, and then had lunch in Gasthof Risserhof, where we received a warm welcome from the owner. She told us snow was expected during the night. We did a short walk around Scharnitz and went back to the B&B for a rest. 7.00 was time for a pre-dinner drink in Dominique and Sunita’s flat. Dinner was in Gasthof Risserhof, the only hotel in the village but a substantial establishment. There was a formal dinner in the next room for about 100 firemen, in their full uniforms. No wives seemed to be allowed but apart from some loosening of ties, it was a very orderly event. Continue reading 17th-20th January. Snow walking in Scharnitz Austria
Saturday 11th. New Addington circular
A large group of 24 walkers assembled at New Addington, a further 2 having failed to make it to the tram in time. The weather was unpromising, with plenty of moisture in the air, but we were soon out into open country and grappling with paths churned up by horses and bikes. Heading south we skirted Farleigh Court golf course, passed Farleigh Court manor house with its small 11thC church. Our route then took us round Great Park estate, a large private gated development built on the site of the now demolish Continue reading Saturday 11th. New Addington circular