Recreating Rosie Binnie’s last walk with the club. Walk along the Richmond riverside towpath to Richmond Park and the Isabella Plantation to hopefully see some spectacular rhododendrons. Return to the riverside and Ham House, cross the river by ferry (£2 pp) and walk through the gardens of York, Orleans and Marble Hill Houses to Twickenham BR station. Meet Richmond District/Mildmay lines station 10.30.
Picnic lunch. OS EX161. Leaders Patricia and Jennifer
Although still in April, the weather was sunny and warm for our Erith to Bexley walk, and I really appreciated Tizi’s kind offer of a sunhat to wear. After a little hiccup, we made it from the station to the path by the Thames, and started off on our waterside walk. The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge was often in view on this section. Firstly, we walked by the Thames, then by the River Darent, and finally the Cray, with its field of reeds.
Partway along the Cray we came across the sailing barge, Decima (built 1899). The well-known sailing barge restorer and shipwright Tim Goldsack, bought Decima in 2003 and completed a major restoration.
It was mostly easy, level walking- firm paths and tracks, starting at Mile End tube station and then walking down to Canary Wharf. It was mostly in parks along the way and included a walk along the Thames, down into the Isle of dogs and through Mudchute Park. There we stopped for lunch before continuing to Canary Wharf and a nearby Weatherspoons pub.
We walked from the tulip garden near embankment station through Westminster and watched the changing of the guard at Bukingham Palace before proceeding via Hyde Park, where we had lunch and on to Kensington Gardens and Holland Park where we finished up at the Castle pub.
Thirteen Poly Ramblers met at Chipstead Station for a short walk around magical Banstead Woods. After a short climb we saw Narnia sculptures of Lucy Pevensie by the Lamppost , a bit further along was Aslan the Lion, the White Witch and the Wardrobe. The wood was covered with English bluebells that were at its best, pity Jennifer was unable to join us after perfect planning
