Another fine autumn walk enjoyed by 8 Polyramblers on a day which remained mild and misty, with only the odd spot of rain. At Box Hill and West Humble station, there was a very large walking party assembling but we set off and never saw them again. We walked through Denbies vineyard and up onto Ranmore Common with great views over Dorking and Box Hill. The trees were a glorious colour and we had a carpet of autumn leaves underfoot. Dropping down into the valley, we passed Milton Court, a Grade II listed 17thC house, now the UK HQ of an American company called Unum which offers insurance products to employers. Clearly a profitable business! Continue reading Saturday 18th November, Boxhill to Dorking →

Twelve Polyramblers braved the drizzle, coming from near and far to meet on the edge of Epping Forest.  We were lucky with the weather. The drizzle dried up and we even had some sunshine later in the day. We kept gasping at the stunning autumn colours as we puffed up and down the promised undulations! I didn’t see any sloes and only a few bracket fungi and one cluster of possible false death caps (?) but we decided the other fungi must be covered with the thick carpet of copper-coloured leaves (beech, hornbeam, oak etc.). We did see two tree-loads of crab apple windfalls, and some of the group were lucky enough to spot a herd of deer in the forest. Continue reading Saturday 11th November. Epping Forest →

Eight Poly Ramblers turned out on a wet and murky Saturday morning for a walk on the borders of Kent and South East London. By the time we alighted the train at Swanley the rain had subsided to a drizzle and we headed off led by Peter along quiet lanes and across muddy fields. After 3 miles we arrived at the Five Bells in Chelsfield where the staff were very friendly and five of us enjoyed a good meal. After lunch Sandy and Nigel decided to call it a day and we left Continue reading SWANLEY CIRCULAR WALK – 4 NOVEMBER →

15 Polyramblers on this pleasant walk along the Stort Navigation. The day started a bit nippy but soon turned warmer, if a bit cloudy. Within 5 minutes of leaving the station, we were along the canal. After the first lock, the walk became more rural, passing Rush Mead Nature Reserve. The canal was busy with fishermen and narrow boats whose owners were getting their boats ready for the winter or enjoying a warm autumn day. We stopped to admire some Highland cattle in a field. We continued along the canal, passing a few more locks until we reached Sawbridgeworth with its maltings and granaries. We stopped there for lunch with a few people heading for the cafe of the antique centre and others having a picnic. We resumed our walk along the canal until we reached Harlow Mill and managed to catch an early train back to London. Continue reading SATURDAY 28th: BISHOP’S STORTFORD to HARLOW MILL (LINEAR): →