On January 28th, 16 of us set off from Oxted on a circular walk to Woldingham. It had been a tricky walk to plot, needing two, and then a third walkovers, but all was fine on the day; the leader didn’t take any wrong turnings and no one was left behind on the bits that weren’t clear.

The morning was fine and after a few hours we felt the surprisingly warm sun on our faces and dared to remove a layer or two. We made our way through meadows & light woodland, crossing the A22 with no casualties, to Godstone where the winter chill re-asserted itself, so we had quick sandwiches by the pond and warmed up in the pub or cafe.

I stand by what I wrote in May 2021 – every time we walk in the forest is different. Firstly, it does indeed depend on the weather. This time for example, the forecast was so dire that I was surprised to see
anyone turn up at all, but Polyramblers are made of stern stuff! And
the weather forecast does not always turn out as predicted! It was
bright and sunny as we set off from the station, in fact all morning.
Then it depends on the time of year. This time there were no leaves on  the trees but the trees still rustle and creak to remind us to look up and admire how tall they are. It was sloshily muddy underfoot, layered with beech leaves. No bird song sadly, just the distant hum of the M25 and occasional Essex burn-up merchant taking advantage of the straight section of the Epping New Road.

We paused in Loughton Camp (the name given to a circular dip at the crest of the hill cushioned with beech leaves and flecked with fungi at this time of year), to enjoy a moment’s calm, listening to nature,  breathing in fresh air and smiling at the occasional passing
dog-walkers. Onward, among the trees, avoiding paths churned up by mountain bikers and round trees felled by recent strong winds. Over the Epping New Road, with caution and speed, and then through the trees to the clearing and facilities at High Beach, including empty picnic tables where we could eat our packed lunches and get a hot  drink. Presumably other potential picnickers had been deterred by the  pessimistic weather forecast!

We were about to set off again when Andrew suddenly emerged through the crowds queuing for refreshments at the King’s Oak kiosk, having earlier taken the wrong branch of the Central Line and subsequently made his own way through the forest by following his nose! With him  came the rain! A coincidence! The rain got heavier as the afternoon progressed. The forecasters can usually claim their words were true at  least in part and that we had misunderstood them! As a result of the rain the group decided against pausing in the part of the forest beyond the bikers’ refreshment clearing even though the trees would shelter us to some extent. So we strode on to the woodland pond where we were rewarded with sight of one of the mandarin ducks and several surly mallards (surly when they realised we weren’t dishing out any  goodies!). The footpath back towards Loughton High Street was particularly sloshy so we were relieved to arrive back at the Wagon Boulangerie where those of us who weren’t too wet and uncomfortable and preferred to hurry home were given the usual warm welcome despite us being muddy and dripping wet! The friendly staff found a space for us inside so that we could dry off and warm up with tea and cakes! As ever, the ideal way to complete a walk! Thank you to the Polystalwarts  who joined me for the day!

Pam.  Photos by Stuart and Pam

We assembled outside Stanmore station, at the end of the Jubilee Line, on a cloudy but very mild winter’s day.  This was an opportunity to explore three impressive almost adjacent nature reserves, Stanmore Common, Bentley Priory and Merry Hill and to discover some of their remarkable features and all this within easy reach
from Central London. Fortunately the dreaded mud factor at this time of year was not a huge issue thanks to recent dry weather. Continue reading STANMORE TO BUSHEY WALK 4th FEBRUARY 2023 →

We gathered in the concourse at Oxford Street station. The station layout is complicated and some people were in different places. There were rumours of Poly Ramblers being seen in the vicinity but eventually we got together and set off. In Argyll St, home of the Palladium, we saw plaques commemorating Sir William Roy and Washington Irving. After crossing Regent St we made our way to Hanover Sq for Prince Talleyrand and were joined by the 26th member of the party at the Hanover Sq exit from Bond St Elizabeth line station.
In Brook St we saw Jimi Hendrix and G F Handel on adjacent buildings, then went up New Bond St for Lord Nelson. Returning to Brook St we saw Sir Jeffrey Wyatville before going to the far end of South Molton St for Ernest Bevin, not to be confused with Aneurin Bevan. It was pointed out to me that I had missed William Blake in South Molton St. I don’t remember seeing him on by blue plaque map or seeing him on my walkover. Anyway, my apologies to William, sorry I missed you. Continue reading Plaques and Parks Walk, Sunday, January 15th →

Seventeen members met at Tower Hill station on Tuesday 27^th December on a mild and sunny morning for a walk alongside the Thames to Greenwich. Skirting the Tower of London, we had a look at the execution site where Thomas More amongst others met his end and then the low-tide beach which was popular with East End kids before the War. Leaving the tourist crowds behind, we passed St Katherines Dock and joined Wapping High Street with its historic pubs the Town of Ramsgate & the Prospect of Whitby. We resisted the temptation of sampling their wares and carried on past Shadwell & Limehouse Basins to West India Quay where we had our lunch stop at the Ledger Building. Refreshed we walked through the Canary Wharf complex with its assortment of skyscrapers reminiscent of a Batman movie. Views of the South Dock and the Millwall Dock followed before we entered Mudchute Park which was formed from the spoil excavated from the adjacent docks in the 1860s. We had a look at some of the animals in London’s largest city farm before heading to Island Gardens with its fine view of Christopher Wren’s Naval College and the Royal Observatory on the high ground behind. The foot tunnel took us to Greenwich town centre and the finish of the walk. The group went their separate ways including a few who had coffee in the Gate Clock hostelry enriched with a tot of whisky!

Danny

Photos courtesy of Ida Kwan