In pouring rain, ten heroic ramblers set off from Little Venice along the canal towards Regents Park. Enroute we encountered a band of trainee cyclists who wobbled their way past us as we stood well clear. Turning into the park, we walked beside the lake to a cafe where we had a well-deserved stop for coffee and cake. By this time the rain had eased and we continued through the park past a pair of black swans in the Rose Garden and with glimpses of llamas and penguins in the zoo. We stopped for an excellent lunch in the Pembroke Castle before climbing up Primrose Hill for a very misty view of the London skyline. Returning to the canal as the rain started again, we retraced our steps back to Little Venice passing the grandly refurbished Crockers Folly pub and the residence of Guy Gibson of Dambusters fame. On completion of this very damp walk, everyone deserved a medal but unfortunately all they got was a Fox’s glacier fruit!
Danny
Image: Canal basin at Little Venice. Charles Drakew
Eighteen polyramblers joined us for this walk; sixteen of travelled by train and Gillian and Stuart joined us at Wendover. After Peter had confirmed the pub reservation we made our way toward the Boer War Monument on top of Coombe Hill. After the rain on Friday we were grateful for a clear sunny day and were able to enjoy the wonderful views – Ellensborough church, Ivinghoe Beacon, Chequers (David Cameron’s country retreat).
We started from Hever railway station and as the leader I promptly led the group of 15 walkers straight past the footpath sign! Not a good start, but after quickly retracing our steps we were on course to Christmas Mill and then onto Dry Hill and some views of the North Downs. Another readjustment had to be made after Siew Kee pointed out we needed to track across a meadow rather than Continue reading Saturday 11 July: Hever to Cowden (West Kent)→
It was a walk of contrasts; we began walking along a two hundred year old canal and finished close to a 21st century eco power station at Hoddesdon. In between we walked along three rivers: the Stort, the Lea, and the New River, taking in pleasant meadows, and the odd nature reserve at Hunsdon. The New Inn at Roydon was our pub Continue reading Saturday 18 July: Harlow Town to Broxbourne (Herts)→
The Hicca Way starts right next to Arlesey station and we followed the lovely river Hiz through nature reserves and meadows full of butterflies. We crossed Arlesey Common via a footbridge over the river. The path cut across arable fields of wheat and barley and Ickleford and Whitsun Commons before arriving in the village of Ickleford via the Icknield Way. We had lunch in two different pubs or a picnic in the churchyard. Continue reading Saturday 4 July: The Hicca Way – Arlesey to Hitchin→
The Polytechnic Rambling Club – Walking with friends
