Engineering works on the Southend line meant a very late change to Saturday’s planned walk. Eighteen members and guests got the message and assembled at Loughton for a substitute ramble through Epping Forest. Fortunately there were no calls from distressed walkers wondering why the leader wasn’t at Rochford!

On a gentle windless morning, the party made their way through this ‘green lung’ for London until the woodland’s cloak broke cover on its western edge for fine views over the city. We then headed north to the village of Upshire where we stopped for lunch at the Horseshoes pub. By this time, the sun had peaked out from behind the clouds and we sat in the garden enjoying excellent food ….. in very substantial portions!

By design, the walk coincided with Pam’s 70th birthday and much to her surprise two scrumptious cakes made by Gillian and Lucy appeared on completion of our lunch. We all sang the traditional birthday song and then headed off through fine open countryside with very full tummies!

The tranquil surroundings were rudely interrupted for a short period by the presence of the M25 motorway before we reached Bell Common and an unexpected refreshment stop at a stand set up for people doing the Centenary Walk through the forest.  Epping Station was only a few minutes further on and we all slumped tired but happy into a Central Line train heading for home.

Danny