Photos and Reports for 2025

This is where you'll find photos and reports from members who've been on outdoor activities with the group in 2025. We also have photos and reports from other years:

On arrival at Pinner Station on a cold but dry Saturday in January, Kevin and I were greeted by 5 eager walkers. Great, I thought, a good start to the day and we would not be walking alone. As more and more arrived including 3 newly joined members we now had a grand total of 27 and 1 dog and all arrived on time. Introductions made and names taken, 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 the allotments, Coogee with some interesting comments about what could be grown there, onto some muddy woodland paths around the back of Pinner, walkers getting acquainted with each other.

Our first stop was Eastcote Gardens for a quick comfort break. Another head count and we were off again. We continued on through the back of Ruslip on to Kings College playing fields with runners making use of the track and the morning's fair weather, local football groups playing in the next field, parents cheering their youngsters on from the sidelines. We carried on, with a quick stop for a group photo. Sadly the tree we took the photo at last year had taken a battering from the recent storms. Passing the Winston Churchill Hall we continued on to the start of the HS2 diversion where work was in progress, on through to Swakeleys Park. Now nearing our half-way point 5 miles done and with bellies ready for our lunch stop and some liquid refreshments to satisfy us we made use of the many opportunities on offer. It was there we were joined by another member and 2 walkers bid their farewells, yes only 2, the rest confirmed they would continue after lunch.

Bellies full with the weather still good and now 28 walkers still keen to continue the last 4.5 miles to the finish we headed 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 and hidden Battle of Britain bunker in the distance, David filling us in on its former MOD use, Derek also pointing out the remains of the former gunnery. On through many more ever growing new builds we made our way though to Uxbridge High Street reaching the end of the walk at Uxbridge Station where some bid 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 Malcolm, David L, Surinder, Ewan, Joan, Pete D, Mark O, Peter M, Jeremy, Vivian, Anne, Milton, Gaurang, Amin, Dee, Pat, Marianne, Vian, Simon, Bharti, Neil, Mick, Owen, Coogee, Karen, Mike, Mifan, Louis and Derek for your great company and for joining Kevin and me on our Celandine walk.

Report by Louise
On a very sunny yet cold morning nineteen of us assembled for coffee and pastries at Pauls by the Tower Pier. We then jumped on the DLR and grabbed the front seat for a driver's view of the track. Kevin gave his observations of the line based on his decades as loco driver on the Northern line. We alighted at Blackwall to view Pontoon Dock and then East India Basin. Reaching the Thames promenade we took in the superb views of the Dome and Isle of Dogs. We stopped at the Virginia Memorial where the first colonists set sail for the New World. We then crossed footbridges to reach the hidden Trinity Buoy Wharf on City Island. This was the manufacturing base for all lighthouse equipment until recent years. We visited the museum and Faraday's exhibition (the inventor was important in the development of the lighthouses). The island quarter is full of art works and an area formed of former containers used as art studios. We had lunch there listening to the thousand-year long player, Peter and Mark O reminiscing about their days on the firing range.

We then arrived at the Royal Victoria Docks which formed part of the much larger eastern docks, built for the new steamships inspired by Brunel. We crossed over on the high-level transporter bridge, with great views to the City. Sadly, no way into the Millenium Mills, built in the 30's and derelict for decades, location for many crime films as it's perfect for portraying urban dereliction. Onto the DLR again, its route a viaduct through the airport and a tunnel under the Thames to Woolwich. Derek led one group to an East End Victorian pub perfectly preserved, Pauline recalled meeting Bobby, Geoff and Martin at the Boleyn before a big match. The rest made it to the Arsenal where Louise led us, as ordained, to the Wetherspoons for more tall tales from Jeremy and Mark P.

Walkers were Brian, Neil, Louise, Kevin, Derek, Prem, Jeff, Jeremy, Mark P, Lisa, Heddy, Joan, Peter, Mark O, Pauline, Shirley, Simon, Bharti and Marianne.

Report by Brian
A larger than expected group assembled on a cold overcast morning at Little Venice. After coffee and introductions, we set off using the excellent David Fathers guidebook to follow the Westbourne River to the Thames. A detour inspired by Mr Dunn's railway architecture show saw us explore Brunel's train shed at Paddington. We then followed the Westbourne through several Georgian mews until Hyde Park. Here the Westbourne flows alongside the Serpentine Lake. We crossed into Knightsbridge and followed back streets twisting to follow the route of the underground river. Our lunch stop was in Belgravia at Motcomb Street courtyard, a collection of outdoor cafes by the original Pantechnicon. The latecomer joined us here by tradition.

Our route continued south, passing several embassies and Cadogan Hall (originally a Byzantine-style church). We then explored Holy Trinity Church at Sloane Square with its outstanding arts and craft design and William Morris stained glass windows. We then crossed Chelsea Bridge to arrive at Battersea Power Station. We admired the ice rink, the many Christmas lights and the Christmas tree by the power station. Some then donned skates for a very festive session on the riverside ice rink. The rest had some warming mulled wine watching the skaters glide by. Louise and Sally then led a tour of the ever-amazing power station where we gathered for tiffin and cultural conversation.

Walkers were Brian, Joan, Mark P, Sally, Coogee, Jeff, Louise, Kevin, Derek, Prem, Pauline, Kate and Julie.

Report by Brian
Leaving home for the start at Wendover, reports on the radio were giving yellow weather warnings for snow later in the day. Not expecting to meet any one else at the meeting point I was surprised to find 4 others well prepared for the day's walk. Although a little frosty it was a good clear day but a little overcast, so plans were made to cut the walk short should there be a change in the weather. Knowing the weather forecast for the day we promptly set off at a brisk pace. After approximately 20 minutes we arrived at World's End. From there we skirted around the Weston Turville reservoir and nature reserve and into Weston Turville itself. As we made our way through the village Mike said good morning to one of the cheerful locals and then noted that he's the bloke from Antiques Roadshow. We then picked up a footpath that ran parallel with Westend Ditch, which is actually a small stream that rises from a spring in Wendover and flows towards Aylesbury. As we passed through a new-build estate just outside Bedgrove we spotted a wooden sculpture of a duck, and continuing through the estate we also came across sculptures of a badger and then an owl. We then joined the Aylesbury branch of the Grand Union Canal.

After following the canal for a short distance we stopped for lunch at Red House Lock. Leaving the canal at this point we headed into Aston Clinton, before picking up a footpath which was going to take us around the outskirts of RAF Halton airfield, which appeared to be very quiet apart from one small plane which was preparing to take off. We paused for a while to watch the plane take off. Continuing onwards we emerged onto the Wendover branch of the Grand Union Canal. As we made our way along the canal we were able to spot quite a few colourful birds as we headed back to our final destination of Wendover. Despite the yellow weather warning, we never saw a drop of rain or a snowflake and it was in fact perfect weather for a winter day's walk, and we arrived back in Wendover well before darkness fell.

Many thanks to Surinder, Mike D, Phil and Brian F for joining me on this 13-mile winter walk to kick off 2025.

Report by Malcolm