We were lucky enough to be rewarded with sunshine and glorious views of London on our walk which took us along the northern bank of the Thames and then via Greenwich foot tunnel  to Greenwich Observatory and Point Hill one of London’s best but least known viewpoints.

An impressive 20 Polyramblers assembled at Fulwell Station on a cool day, with rain forecast for later. We were soon entering Bushy Park, second in size of London parks only to Richmond Park. Skirting Upper Lodge, built by Lord Halifax and occupied by the Admiralty after the 2nd World War we admired the recently restored water gardens at the rear. We then followed the Longford River along which a strip of  woodland has been created, the area being fenced off from the main park and its deer..  It was pleasant in January but would probably  be spectacular during the azalea season. We stopped briefly at the Pheasantry for its facilities and met up with Mary, whose journey had been delayed by her bus breaking down. Continue reading 26th January, Fulwell to Mortlake →

A healthy turnout of 22 walkers started out from Princes Risborough station on a circular walk that followed sections of the Ridgeway and Chilterns Way. It was one of those rare bright sunny frosty January mornings that showed off the beautiful Chilterns at their best. We had an early stop for lunch at a pub where most walkers opted for the Sunday roast which was very slow in being served but was good food and worth the wait. After a long lunch break the cold was really noticeable when we got outside. We resumed the walk and there was a beautifully restored old windmill located behind the pub.

Seventeen members + one non-member gathered at Eltham station to undertake this 6 mile ramble across SE London’s open spaces. On walking out of the station approach we crossed under the railway and over the road to Well Hall Pleasaunce a local park, where I showed the party the spot where an 18th century house once stood where lived the author Edith Nesbit. Here she wrote “The Railway Children”. We then continued along Dunvegan Road until we reached Eltham Park with views across to Crystal Palace. Then we crossed Shepherdleas Wood then onto Oxleas Wood. This led out to Oxleas Meadows, a large sloping open space, where we  gradually climbed to the top end, and came across a cafe with more views over south east London. It was lunchtime.