The weather forecast for the day was one of storm and tempest, but apart from a few spots of rain the weather was pleasant with sunny intervals.

The actual walk was one of two halves!  Eleven of us sent off towards the hamlet of Mogador (to see some hobbits!) from Betchworth. This initial part of the walk was to include a steep climb up to the top of the North Downs Way, but a deliberate mistake(!) by the leader led to a more easy ascent with views of the Weald and South Downs in the distance.  With some further adjustments and Continue reading BETCHWORTH (CIRCULAR) 11 MAY →

On a very hot Mayday bank holiday weekend, 29 Polys gathered at Tower Hill for Dan’s 70th birthday walk to Blackheath. Pushing our way through the crowds of tourists, we walked round the Tower of London, and through St Katherine’s Dock and on to Wapping, Shadwell and Limehouse. By the time we reached Millwall Dock on the Isle of Dogs, it was a very hot and thirsty party of walkers that enjoyed a birthday drink courtesy of our leader – thanks, Dan!. The rest of the walk took us through Mudchute Park and City Farm Continue reading May Bank Holiday weekend 2018: Tower Hill to Greenwich →

Nineteen Polyramblers gathered at St Albans City station. I led them towards the Cathedral in the city centre, then put it to the vote whether to take coffee at the cathedral refectory. I did not need to use my casting vote as like the Brexit referendum the noes favoured the ayes by 1 more vote out of 19 and the noes had it! We thus proceeded through the 14th cent. Abbey gateway, down Abbey Mill Lane, over the Ver and across Verulamium Park. The footpath Continue reading MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND 2019: ST ALBANS to WATFORD →

There were only five of us on the train at Marylebone so we were somewhat relieved to see another five waiting at Great Missenden. It was misty but dry and mild  as we set off through pleasant rolling country with  open views. We crossed the railway to reach the old village of Little Missenden, stopping to admire the 13th century wall painting in the church of St John the Baptist. Continuing, we were soon in Penn Wood part of one of the Chilterns ancient woodlands. Chairmaking, centred on High Wycombe  flourished  from the mid 18th century  and Penn Wood was an important source of timber. Although chairs were assembled in factories,  the legs and spindles were usually  made in situ in the forest,  on hand powered lathes. Continue reading 27th April Great Missenden to Amersham →

For the second Club outing of a weather-blessed Easter weekend, seventeen ramblers alighted at Christs Hospital station for a sunny walk through bucolic Sussex countryside. First we entered a sylvan glade with the nascent River Arun running through it and ubiquitous wild garlic. Fields of bluebells then followed before we reached the old Shoreham to Guildford railway line, now a foot & cycle path called the Downs Link. Fringed with dandelions in places and with views of the Low Weald, this took us to the old station house at Slinfold where we walked into the village and stopped at the Red Lyon pub for lunch. Continue reading Easter Monday 22nd April. Christ’s Hospital West Sussex →