This time, for its yearly hosteling weekend, the club had rented the Youth Hostel in Lulworth, which forms part of the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site (WHS) – it is also England’s first WHS awarded by UNESCO in December 2001. There were 17 of us in the 34 bed hostel so there was plenty of room for everybody. Andrew and Sandy had to cancel but we were joined on the walks by Mike and Heather, her sister and brother in law – who had rented a cottage down the road for a week’s holiday – and by Pam for her last Youth Hostel weekend with us before she returns to Australia. Continue reading Friday 11 March – Sunday 13 March 2016: Lulworth YHA Weekend
All posts by Chris Maslen
Saturday 12th March, Battersea to Wandsworth Town.
With 30 or so Polys on the club weekend at YHA Lulworth Cove, it was a select group of six on Rosie’s walk through Battersea. The early mist was clearing as we entered the park, and there were plenty of people enjoying a stroll in the weak sunshine. There were encouraging signs of spring with banks of daffodils, vociferous ducks and geese, together with posing herons and screeching parakeets. We passed the Peace Temple and took in the view of Chelsea across the river. Our lunch stop was at the Source restaurant in Ransome’s dock where we were all accommodated on a round table and enjoyed a leisurely and agreeable meal. Continue reading Saturday 12th March, Battersea to Wandsworth Town.
Sunday, March 6th. Berkhamsted circular.
Just myself and Sandra accompanied Jackie on this lovely varied walk, the weather being bright but cold. Berkhamsted’s popular half marathon had just set off and it was some time before we could cross the road from the station. Jackie and Sandra set off at a cracking pace, with me struggling behind which was to be the pattern for the rest of the day. Steady climbing through woodland and grazing, took us to Berkhamsted Common, 150 years to the day from the battle of that name. The landowner, Lord Brownlow, had put up a metal fence with a view to incorporating the common into his private estate. Locals reinforced by a gang of navvies brought in by train, dismantled it and dumped it in view of his mansion. Continue reading Sunday, March 6th. Berkhamsted circular.
Friday 24 to Sunday 26 March 2017 – YHA Weekend, Portland
The annual YHA trip returns to Dorset for exhilarating coast walks on the Isle of Portland. Estimated cost £75 including train/bus fares and in-house food. Reserve a place for £30 by bank transfer or send a cheque made out to the Club to Danny Duffy.
Photo by A-M-Jervis
Saturday 27th February. Woldingham to Oxted
Twelve Polyramblers alighted from the train on a bitterly cold but dry morning. We made our way down the lovely Marden valley towards Woldingham School, stopping to pass the time of day with a couple of extremely tame and needy deer. Passing Bay pond, we reached Godstone and had lunch in the friendly Hare and Hounds. The service was less than brisk but there were no complaints from us as it was so good to be out of the wind. We were joined by Geoffrey, still not able to walk any distance but thankfully on the mend. Continue reading Saturday 27th February. Woldingham to Oxted