A winter’s walk along a canal, woods and bridleways, rather challenging with awkward stiles towards end of walk. Leader will join on route.
No toilets at Berkhamsted Station so use WCs on train. Bring packed lunch and snack. Paths will be very muddy so walking poles are recommended.
Buy OPDR to Berkhamsted. Dep. Euston (Tring train) 09.54, (Harrow & Wealdstone 10.06, Watford Jct. 10.13), arr. Berkhamsted 10.25.
Map EX181
Leader Sunita
Replicating a club walk from 1888. Heath and woodland, green spaces, trace the course of the Silk Stream. May be slippery/muddy in places. Poles advisable if you use them. Picnic lunch but refreshment places en route – unlike in 1888 we might even visit the Greyhound PH in Hendon.
Meet 10.00 Hampstead Heath station (Mildmay Line Overground). All travel zones 1/2. Without a pass ticket price has gone up from 4d since 1888!
There may be time to glimpse inside the RAF museum (constructed since 1888). Places to leave the walk en route. Unlike 1888, ladies welcome!
Leader: Pam
The photo is of Bell Barrow on Hampstead Heath taken by Fry72, published under the license Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International.
Thursday May 23: Susan writes:
39 Poly Ramblers travelled to Milan Linate where we boarded our coach to Corniglio, unfortunately minus Melida’s suitcase, which had been left in London. We were somewhat disconcerted by the very heavy rain and the sight of the flooded fields for much of the journey. After two and a half hours we arrived at the family run Hotel le Mura in the little Apennine village of Corniglio where most of the group were staying. After unpacking and a quick aperitive at the hotel bar, we all gathered for our four course dinner at le Mura. Throughout our stay the staff couldn’t have done more to make us comfortable, nothing was too much trouble, including arranging for our guide to lend Melida her daughter’s walking boots. It was Jackie’s birthday, so we presented her with a delicious cake. However, we decided to eat it another day as the dinner had proved rather filling! Some of us then retired to the bar for a nightcap.
Continue reading TRIP TO THE APENNINES AND PARMA, ITALY MAY 2024
A select group of six of us enjoyed a beautiful walk along the
Thames shaded by the trees, with excellent lighting and the coolness
afforded by the green covering. Almost all the path was tarmac, making for dry and easy walking disturbed only by the odd bikes and runners.
Rob H
Eighteen walkers braved the winds and set off from West Ruislip station into beautiful open space following the Hillingdon Trail (HT) and along the river Pinn. On reaching Old Clack farm, we noticed an original dovecote from the gate. By now the weather too improved.
After negotiating the first stile we continued through a field and then a narrow path behind residential housing and a school. The end of this path lead to crossing a road and then following a tree lined path into an open grassy space and woodland track to take us towards Ruislip Lido and the Riverside Café for an early lunch stop. Picnic lunches were enjoyed on the beach, while some walkers chose to sit in the Café, which offered a good selection of snacks, meals, drinks, and cakes.
Following lunch and a beach group photo, we proceeded round the lake admiring the various wild fowl enjoying their swim in the sunshine. Picking up the HT again we set off past the golf course and woodland. The miniature railway track which goes through the lido could be seen. Perhaps a ride on the railway could have been included within this walk?
On leaving the path, we find ourselves on an uphill climb, with no reward of sprawling country views. However, we go through a meadow and reach a sports field. Following a track leading into a residential area, we find ourselves on the footpath, leading to Northwood Hills Station, signalling the end of a short but very scenic walk.
Carol D’Souza. Photos by Hilary, Rajesh and Gillian
