Walthamstow Wetlands Visit

A big thank you to those who joined me on a visit to the new Wetlands Centre at Walthamstow.

Marilyn, Amina, Jim, Sue,Trevor, David, Eileen, Louise, Ian, Val, and  Ken.

We did have a very nice time despite the weather and enjoyed nice chats in the lovely warm cafe after our fairly short walk.

I think most people would like to come again maybe in the spring when hopefully the weather will be much more pleasant.

Jenny J.   2nd February 2018

 Photo by Sue. U.

Wanstead Park Walk

Looking out of the window on Sunday 10th December I wondered if the walk was going ahead as the snow fell down. I already had a text from one person pulling out. But there is Ken at the door so we slither out in the car and slip and slide our way to Wanstead Park.

In total there were 5 hardy souls who braved the elements, all well wrapped up. We met at Wanstead station and walked through the streets to the Park, passing Wanstead golf club whose building used to be the stables of the once grand Wanstead House. Into the Park and there still are traces of the grandeur that it once was, with a broad avenue immediately in front of us. We followed the City of London walk and went up the side of the Ornamental Water, round the top and came down between the River Roding and the lake. Rounding the Canal (another remnant of the old House) we pause for a photo in front of the Grotto.

Stopping at the Perch Pond we fed the birds with proper duck food, not bread, as supplied by the visitor centres in Epping Forest. On to the tea hut and the Park is very busy all of a sudden. We had seen few people on the walk and this was a surprise. Children had been busy and the area looked like the Terracotta Army, with snowmen all over the place. We had a warming cup of tea and moved on to walk around the Heronry Pond. We didn’t see herons but saw nests high in the trees which at first we thought were heron's, but were probably crow's nests or squirrels dreys. Herons haven't apparently nested in the park since early in the 20th Century.

On to the Temple visitor centre where we warmed ourselves and looked at the information regarding the history of Wanstead House. Downstairs there was a photography display including an offering from our own Sue Carroll.

That was the end of the walk and we returned to Wanstead station and home.

Brian U. 13th December 2017

Epping Forest Bike Ride

Five of us met at Bury Road car park at 10.30 on Sunday 16 July and set off on our bikes.

Passing through Buttonseed Corner (how did it get that name?) and past Grimston’s Oak, we crossed the Epping New Road and set off up the Green Ride. Puffing up the gradient past Loughton Camp and again past Bellringers Hollow we stopped occasionally to regroup and have a drink. The weather was warm and humid and a slight sweat had been raised despite the easy pace.

A final up-gradient past Furze Ground and on to the more level surface past Ditches Ride. We diverted close to the Epping Road to see Ambresbury Banks, an SSSI and very impressive earthworks. Brian pointed out the apparent milestone on the main road which is actually a coal duty marker post and is almost opposite the entrance to Ambresbury Banks.

Back down to Wakes Arms, crossing Epping Road and the very busy Woodridden Hill and a quick stop to admire the Big View. It was a fine day and we could see across North London for miles. Then on to High Beach where a tea stop was made. Very reasonable, tea and a slice of fruit cake for £1.60.

Val was visibly relaxing as she could see that Brian was keeping a pace which meant she could get home in time to see the Wimbledon men’s final. It was a bonus that from High Beach it was virtually all downhill and we arrived back at the car park around 1 pm.

Only two of us were on knobbly tyres but it has been so dry recently that even on the track near Ambresbury Banks there was only a trace of mud and we all coped easily with the conditions.

Brian Unwin, 16th July 2017

A day trip to Burghley House, Lincolnshire

On Sunday 9th July, Brian, Kathy, Jinan, Ken and Val piled into Brian’s car for a trip to Burghley, near Stamford in Lincolnshire. The weather was fine again, starting at 22 degrees and rising to near 30 degrees.

We had booked online and on arrival were issued with annual passes. Note to selves: must visit again before July 2018.

We first visited the Garden of Surprises. This is a water based heaven for kids and in this hot weather they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Being kids ourselves we had to try the mirror maze in the garden.

On to the Sculpture garden. One of the sculptures was a wooden life-size tank! There were many others which we either liked or not depending on taste. The walk was through Capability Brown designed gardens with a beautiful lake.

We decided to leave lunch till later and went into the house. This is most impressive with lots of history – the house was originally occupied by Lord Burghley of Elizabeth 1’s reign and later was bombarded by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. The many rooms were sumptuously furnished and the silver wine cooler was an eye opener, taking four men to lift.

After a pleasant 90 minutes in the house we went to the Orangery restaurant for lunch. Gasping at the prices, we ordered and settled down at a table outside. 50 minutes later the last order had been delivered. Admittedly, the food was nice but next time we will have a picnic.

There were more gardens to explore but we decided to leave that for another time and made our way home, only slightly held up by the traffic from the Duxford Air Show on the M11.

Brian U. 10th July 2017