After being banged up & restricted for so long, 14 and a half miles might seem a bit of a challenge but on such a perfect day and in such a beautiful place it could also seem not long enough. Just for a change, the train to Lewes ran on time with no problems along the way, which is unusual at the moment and an auspicious start.
We walked through a very nice, quiet part of Lewes & up one of those lovely old chalk paths onto the Downs. The sea is easily visible from up there and the wonderful spread of the South Downs with natural terracing near the bottom. After a good chunk on the South Downs Way, we went down into the valley for a swift half at the Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell. One of our number peeled off to get a bus back to Lewes and the rest of us walked a little further to have lunch by the ancient church at Southease – mentioned in the Domesday Book.
A walk along the Grand Union Canal starting from Val’s in West Drayton. It was one of the hottest days of the year, however we were fortunate to be rewarded by plenty of shade from trees planted along the canal. This part of the Grand Union Canal is quite varied, we passed Packet Boat Marina (from which Clive and I later hired a narrowboat with the family!). It is situated on the Slough Arm of the canal and near to the Little Britain Lake following the London Loop signs. At our half way mark we had lunch at the General Elliot pub situated by the side of the canal. In the afternoon we walked a short distance further towards Uxbridge and Denham before reaching a consensus that it was just too hot to venture further. We retraced our steps to enjoy tea and cake on the patio of Val’s house before getting a taxi back to West Drayton Station. Thank you Val for arranging a lovely walk and tea at your house. Hilary
The weather stayed dry for 18 Polyramblers during our evening walk in Belgravia, a 200 acres area owned by the Grosvenor family since 1677. At that time, it was known at the Five Fields – a mix of swamp, pasture, orchards, a few scattered houses and much of it the haunt of highwaymen. How things have changed! It is now one of the most fashionable and desirable residential areas of central London and the largest and best-preserved urban Regency estate. After leaving the bustle of Sloane Square, we were soon in quiet Bourne Street where we had a sneaky look at the church of St Mary. We passed the first of seven small hidden pubs on our route, all known to Danny of course, except for the last one. Continue reading Evening walk in Belgravia – 27 July→
Despite the rail and tube travel disruption and threats of stormy weather, sixteen hardy polyramblers were waiting for us when we arrived at West Harrow station at 1:30pm for our West Harrow and Harrow on the Hill walk. We set off through the tree lined streets of West Harrow, passing through West Harrow Park, past the many school owned cricket fields and the former semi-mansion home of Clare Raynor before embarking on the steep ascent of the hill through the graveyard to St Mary’s church. We looked at the Peachy grave, Byron’s favourite place during his time at Harrow school. Just beyond, the grand Harrow Old School, War Memorial building, Chapel, Speech room and Vaughan Library.
On a drizzly Saturday 10th July 25 polyramblers and guests assembled at Epping station and took the Green Heritage Bus number 339 to North Weald Station. The bus conductor was very friendly and gave a commentary on the journey and we were all issued authentic tickets from his Gibson ticket machine ( Danny is this the right one?). It took many of us back a few years to our younger days. At North Weald we seemed to enter the world of historic re-enactment with all the volunteer officials in period costume, resonant of Wallace and Gromit or Thomas the Tank Engine, to reflect the heyday of the steam train and some of us bought refreshments for the journey or for their lunch. As a bonus we had a quick trip in and out of Epping Forest on a small diesel train before proceeding to the main journey on the shiny black and brass steam train which took us to Chipping Ongar.
