We met at 11:00am at Hackney Wick Station and set off as a group of 11. After viewing some of the amazing colourful street art in Hackney, some covering the whole side of buildings, we stopped briefly at a unique garden centre situated right on the River Lee navigation canal. Passing some interesting eateries along the River Lee we made our way to the Hertford Canal with a great view of the London Stadium. We also found some interesting little statues along the canal edge. The street art continued along this stretch of canal and we continued on to Victoria Park. Two new antipodean joiners showed their adventurous nature by miraculously meeting us at the Burdett-Coutts Fountain in the park after a disrupted journey. 13 of us then took a short detour to visit Runi's childhood home on the other side of the park. Returning to Victoria Park we had lunch at the lakeside Paradise Cafe before visiting the Pagoda which was originally situated in Hyde Park and moved to its present location in 1847.
On our way back to the canal we paused to take in an amazing street food market in the park, enjoyed by all, where we could sample diverse cuisines from all over the world. Following a busy Regents Canal we negotiated many runners partaking in a half marathon. At Haggerston we came across an extraordinary art installation in the form of four leaping sharks appearing out of the canal overlooked by several kindly gorillas! Further along the Regents Canal we took a diversion to see the huge steel bust of Alfred Hitchcock situated in a residential square which was the former site of the Gainsborough film studios. At this location in the 1920s, Hitchcock had directed silent movies before his move to Hollywood. Returning to the Regents Canal, we ended the walk at the Islington Tunnel, the longest tunnel in London's canal system at 878 metres. Leaving the canal we walked up into the bustling streets of Angel Islington. A small party then went on the Candid Cafe in a quiet, bohemian spot with a lovely ambience above an arts centre where we were joined by a very latecomer, Neil, for a coffee and a catch up.
Walkers were Dalma, Laurence, Runi, Brian, Irena, Kevin, Louise, Prab, Soraya, Neil P, Judith, Giles, Rebecca and Neil.
Report by Neil
I met 7 walkers at Hamilton Hall on a crisp but dry night. We had a drink allowing 15 minutes' grace for any latecomers and then headed off to the Tower of London and St Katherine's Dock. The contrast between Liverpool Street and the Dock was very noticeable and it was nice to leave the very busy area for the tranquility of St Katharine's and the reconstructed Dickens Inn. We then partly followed the river to Wapping High Street and Limehouse whilst making our way to meet 3 other walkers in the Ledgers Building in Canary Wharf. The area on route is more gentrified than it used to be but still has a sense of the old East End with its warehouses and very old pubs that jut out into the Thames. The famous Grapes, partly owed by Sir Ian McKellen, was serving "Sir Ian's Shepherds Pie" but we didn't have time to stop on this occasion. We nearly lost two of our group in a riverside park but luckily we all got to Canary Wharf safe and sound. Some of the group went off to explore the lights whilst a few of us refuelled and then explored the lights which were definitely worth seeing.
Thank you to everyone who joined me, it was a lovely evening.
Report by Pauline
Storm Ingrid had passed through, ensuring that the footpaths would be a little wet and muddy. The storm was followed by a bright sunny day, unfortunately this sunny day was Saturday, and the walk was on the Sunday where the forecast was for an overcast day with showers. On arrival at the station I was surprised to see a number of walkers and a couple of familiar faces waiting to start a day's hike. On speaking to these walkers, I was to learn that they were walking with another group who were planning to walk a slightly shorter route. The 9:50 train arrived, where more walkers disembarked. One of these walkers was actually looking for the Chesham to Tring Walk, so we let these walkers head off before starting our own walk which headed off in the opposite direction. As we made our way through the field of Dungrove Farm we shared it with a couple of alpacas. Being only a couple of walkers we quickly made our way to Codmore where we paused for a drink outside the Hen and Chicks pub; we couldn't enter as it was closed. The next stage of the walk was along footpaths through open countryside. As we made our way along these paths the overcast weather seemed to enhance the views of the hills and valleys ahead. By chance we met the other walking group heading towards us from Savecroft Farm. We continued on northwards past the Christmas tree farm and along footpaths into Wiggington where we stopped for lunch outside the village shop.
After lunch we skirted the edge of Tring Park where we then picked up our return route. Luckily as we made our way through High Scrubs Wood a light shower started but we were sheltered from this by the woods. We emerged from the woods just north of the pub and impressive windmill at Cholesbury but still having some way to go and it was now early afternoon. We were unable to stop for drinks. The final part of the walk crossed several valleys which form part of the Chesham five valley walk. The final 2.5 miles back into Chesham was via Herbert's Hole which is a footpath along the bottom of one of these valleys. We arrived back in Chesham within the planned finish time and before darkness fell.
Many thanks to Jan for keeping me company on this very enjoyable but challenging 19.5-mile walk.
Report by Malcolm
Our first cycle ride of the year was an easy 20-mile ride from Uxbridge to Burnham via Eton. Three of us met at the Marketplace Cafe in Uxbridge. We followed Sustrans route 61 via the Grand Union Canal and tracks through Langley. En route we passed several pillboxes and aqueducts on the Slough arm and then a moto cross festival by the GWR tracks. We gatecrashed an Indian wedding at Ditton Park, the very polite manager suggesting that we had followed the wrong sign. At Eton we explored the courtyards of the famous college before visiting the vintage bookshops (location for Frank Marker's office in Public Eye). We waited for the latecomer but no trace. We cycled through Dorney village with its collection of Tudor mansions. Finally arrived at the historic Pineapple Inn with its vast range of huge sandwiches on offer, just the ticket said all.
Cyclists were Brian, Soraya and Neil.
Report by Brian
Our walk started at Pinner Station on a drizzly Saturday in January. Kevin and I were greeted by 11 eager walkers; a good start to the day and we would not be walking alone on a day with an uncertain weather forecast, and it was sure to be muddy on route. Off we set, Kevin leading the way following the Celandine Route to Uxbridge. First we entered Pinner Memorial Park, and on to some residential roads before we began following the River Pinn, passing through some muddy woodland paths around the back of Pinner. Our first stop was Eastcote Gardens for a quick comfort break. A quick look around the walled gardens for some before a head count and we were off again. We continued on through the back of Ruslip on to Kings College playing fields where we stopped for a quick group photo beside one of the many elaborate wood carvings on route. From there we carried on, passing the Winston Churchill Hall, a great venue for past and present HAWOG socials. We continued on to the start of the HS2 diversion where we cautiously crossed the busy Ladygate Lane to continue our route to our Ickenham lunch stop, now nearing around 6 miles completed.
Ready for some food and liquid refreshments to satisfy us, we made use of the many options on offer, most making use of the local public house and its warm welcome. It was there we were joined by another 3 walkers who had been busy during the morning at parkruns and boot camps. We bid farewell to 4 members. Lunch stop over and the now 12 refuelled, we continued on the last leg to the finish, heading through woodland then over the busy A40 bridge onto the open Uxbridge playing fields, once again meeting up with the River Pinn. Following now mostly residential streets we headed on through the St Andrews RAF estate and its many new builds with its Grand Hillingdon House, hidden Battle of Britain bunker in the distance, also passing by the former gunnery. On through many more ever growing new builds we made our way through to Uxbridge High Street, reaching the end of the walk at Uxbridge Station where some bade farewell and the rest headed onto the Fig Tree public house, formerly the old Uxbridge police station, for further liquid refreshments and more catching up.
Thank you to Neil, Cathy, Claire, Ewan, Hema, Milton, Rita, Neil, Soraya, Mick, Sarah D, Dee, Pat and Brian for your great company and for joining Kevin and me.
Report by Louise
On a cold overcast morning we met in the café at the Design Museum. After handing out the jam doughnuts, "just the ticket" said Judith with jam drooling away. We explored the free exhibition of everyday objects and technology and the evolution of their design. We headed north through Holland Park and admired the east wing of the 17th century palace and the Youth Hostel next door. We explored the Japanese gardens with its miniature trees and waterfalls. Next point was the Ukrainian church with its statue of Vladimir who converted the country to Christianity in the 10th century. We entered the independent bookshop Daunts where we encountered the eternal latecomer; "no train drivers today" he claimed. We then explored Kensington terraces with several blue plaques identified. Then onto Portobello Road for a slow amble through the antique shops, market stalls and hidden arcades full of collectable markets.
We ended the walk at the Museum of Brands and Advertising where Scott and Virgil joined us. The museum is great for history, design art, and popular culture. The month's special exhibition was on the television world of Gerry Anderson, from Stingray to UFO via Thunderbirds and Joe 90. The focus was on the cultural phenomenon they ignited, the tidal wave of branded merchandising unleashed. Kevin recognised the Dinky models of FAB 1 and TB2 that he still has in shed 6. Jeff explained that his father was a writer on the TV21 weekly magazine that accompanied the series. Nick recalled not finding the Captain Scarlet badge in his bowl of Sugar Frosties, "they weren't great!". After the tour we headed to the café (surrounded by vintage wireless sets) for tea and buns.
Walkers were Brian, Louise, Kevin, Nick G, Soraya, Neil, Coogee, Jeff, Neil, Judith and Julie.
Report by Brian
As I was having breakfast, I received a couple of text messages informing me that some of the day's walkers were experiencing problems with the trains and that they would not be able to make the start at the planned start time. Some walkers arrived on an earlier train which gave them time to enjoy a pre-walk coffee before the train with the remaining walkers arrived. The weather forecast for the day was for a dry bright sunny day but very cold.
Walkers set off fully prepared, with thermals, hats, gloves and sunglasses. After leaving the station the group headed out of Amersham along the main road to the edge of Old Amersham where we then picked up a rather dirty and litter-strewn footpath that ran behind some houses, before finally arriving out into the open countryside at the bottom of Gore Hill. The fields had a light sprinkle of overnight snow covering them, but as we made our way up Gore Hill some found the need to remove a layer of thermals but not the need to remove sunglasses as the sky was clear of clouds and the sun was very bright. We continued along the path, spotting the windmill at Coleshill. We looped our way around Coleshill before stopping for refreshments next to the frozen village pond whilst watching the ducks make their way over the ice.
We continued on past the village church and as we made our way out of the village we spotted 2 very healthy foxes running across the field ahead. As we continued into a small woodland we spotted several people out searching for buried treasure in the frozen ground. Shortly after this we arrived at Winchmore Hill only to find that the local pub had now closed its doors. It was a little too early to stop for lunch, so we followed the path from Winchmore Hill into Penn Street. We found benches in the sun on the common for lunch. For some unknown reason Victoria needed to take some close-up pictures of Paul's knees; despite the day being quite cold he felt that shorts were appropriate for the day's walk. After lunch we made our way through Penn Wood, emerging at Beamond End, and onwards down into Little Missenden, where we took on refreshments by the open fire at the Red Lion.
After finishing warm mulled wine we set off on the final leg of the day's walk along the River Misbourne and back into Old Amersham. Rather than walk along the main road back up into Amersham we took the footpath up the hill and around the edge of the woodland. As we looked back we could see the sun setting behind the hills where we had been walking earlier in the day. We arrived back at the station with minutes to spare for the those taking the train home.
Many thanks to Phil, Jan, Victoria, Mary, Paul S, Sandra and Rob for joining me on the 13-mile walk through the scenic wintry Buckinghamshire countryside.
Report by Malcolm
