efog-blog
Recent outings and activities...
Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and the Thames walk
On 28th January 2023 a group of us (Peter B, Paul K, Fred, Trevor, Eileen, Marian, Richard, Cathy and Parviz) met at Stratford Station and, led by Peter Bianchi, got the Jubilee Line to Surrey Quays Station. First stop was the shopping mall, for coffees.
The Old Justice Pub, BermondseyWe then headed to Southwark Park where we walked round the lake and then headed into the art gallery, which had some interesting works. We also looked at the Old Justice pub, which has a commemorative blue plaque to Sir Paul McCartney. The inscription reads: The Old Justice. Sir Paul McCartney, MBE, musician & songwriter, used the interiors and exteriors of this public house as locations in his film "Give My Returns to Broad Street" and for the music video to his hit single "No More Lonely Nights". 
Looking at the commemorative plaque
Walking on, up to the Thames we saw the Ada Salter statue (she was a council member and campaigned for parks for the working classes which included Southwark Park) and her husband Dr Salter.
Part way we lost Paul Knight to the rugby – the advantage of having easy access to the stations.
We ate lunch sat on benches by the moated grounds that were once part of Edward III’s manor house, then we strolled to the Mayflower Pub. The pub dates back to 1550 and was renamed to commemorate the Pilgrims’ ship which sailed from nearby. After a lengthy coffee stop, the pub was rather busy, we moved on to the Brunel Museum which records the work and problems of the first Thames tunnel.
We walked through Stave Hill Ecological Park, and learnt that timber imported from around the world was stored submerged in the local docks to stop it drying and rotting. The docks were named after the country the timber originated from – Canada Water, Russia Dock etc.
We then strolled past Surrey Quays, and on to Canada Water Station for a train home. Quite a long, but enjoyable and educational day.
Richard, 8th May 2023
Photos by Peter Bianchi
Manor Park Station to Snaresbrook via Hollow Ponds
Having had last week’s walk unfortunately cancelled, I decided to arrange a replacement, but since there had been a lot of rain recently I needed to recce it first.
So on 15th April six of us (Trevor, Jill Voon, Paul Ferris, Laurel, Cathy and myself) set off from Manor Park Station. First stop was to be the café/toilets at the entrance to the City of London Cemetery. Sadly the popular Poppy café had changed hands a couple of years ago, then closed about 6 weeks ago, but at least the toilets were still available. We also met up with Fozi there.
We then headed across Wanstead Flats following the first part of the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.
Paul pointed out a copse of trees where Little Owls have on occasion been spotted, but we weren’t in luck. We then proceeded to Long Wood where the concrete floor of a WWII communications building is still visible and Paul also told us that the Flats were home to a camp for Italian POWs.
We carried on past an area fenced off to protect possible nesting skylarks; as well as hearing at least one, Paul and I were fortunate enough to see 3 chasing around at low level.
We then followed what is also part of The Lime Trail and headed for Bush Road and then The Green Man Roundabout where we went through the underpass to then carry on for Hollow Ponds.
This area was somewhat damp from the recent rains so there was a bit of meandering to find the best route through, but we arrived safely at the Café by Hollow Ponds where we had a welcome stop for cups of tea, cake etc. (Sadly no toilets here).
On my recce I’d heard a woodpecker in the woods just to the north side of the lake and today we saw what may have been a couple of woodpeckers fly past.
We then carried on to Eagle Pond on the final leg. Paul tried to find a spring which used to supply drinking water to the neighbourhood; unfortunately this was also the wettest and muddiest part of the walk and although we found two boundary markers, we couldn’t the spring itself amongst the undergrowth.
We carried on to our well known area of The Eagle pub and ROVSCO hall to get trains/buses back from Snaresbrook/Wanstead.
Total distance walked according to Google Maps was 4.5 miles in roughly 3 hours including the breaks, though our pedometers showed a little more mileage.
Richard, 17th April 2023
Grand Union Canal Walk – Uxbridge to Rickmansworth
Having moved the walk from Saturday 1st April to Sunday 2nd to avoid clashing with the RNLI quiz night (our teams came 2nd and 3rd, so well done smarties!) I met up with Laurel and Jinan at Liverpool Street before getting the Metropolitan Line train to Uxbridge (end of the line) where we met Eileen, via my favourite tube station (Preston Road).
Leaving Uxbridge Station we passed a golden post-box, commemorating the gold medal won by a local resident in the 2012 Paralympics games, passing a historic pub involved in civil war negotiations before turning right to join the canal tow-path and heading out into the countryside, passing a small marina and the first of several locks.
Laurel, Jinan and Eileen by the Grand Union CanalAfter a mile or so we passed an access to Denham Country Park, a large and pleasant looking park with substantial lakes, continuing along the canal towpath between the canals and the park's lakes, with some substantial flooding of the park in places (if you like water this was a cracking walk). The canal itself did not have much wildlife on it although the adjacent county park had a good selection of wildlife.
Eventually, we reached the lock-side cafe at the “just over halfway mark” for lunch and some yummy cake. Whilst taking this break we saw a Red Kite in the distance, keeping up my record of seeing one whenever I’ve done this walk.
Resuming the walk, Jinan and Laurel went ahead whilst Eileen and I helped a lone boater through the lock (good deed done for the year!). Rejoining them, we continued northward past the marine equivalent of a breakers yard and the “kayaker in the sky” to reach Rickmansworth where we saw a Mandarin duck, and then a short walk from the canal through the town to catch the Metropolitan line train back home.
It had been a very nice level walk of 7 to 8 miles, with even a bit of sunshine making an appearance at the end to add a final flourish.
Trev (pathfinder) Eley. 10th April 2023
London Riverside walk
Six members met on Saturday 18th March for a London Thames walk starting at Blackfriars underground station. I gave some history commentary on Blackfriars rail & road bridges, pointed out the ‘pulpit’ like seating areas on road bridge, which are decorated with marine birds downstream and freshwater birds upstream. We had a look at the huge mural by the Australian street artist Jimmy C. on the south side before setting off downstream, visiting the Sea Containers design centre and Gabriel’s Wharf on the way. 
After passing the tourists waiting for their London Eye rides or visitor attractions, we passed under Westminster Bridge to view the National Covid Memorial Wall which stretches a long way down opposite the Houses of Parliament.
We continued to enjoy the various sites along the river, both historic and modern. Vauxhall Bridge is interesting; one of the eight female statues that adorn the bridge holds a miniature of St Paul's Cathedral. We continued on to reach Battersea Power Station, I think it is amazing what they have done to the site; there are a couple of exhibition areas inside, some of the old workings are on view, and the scale inside is huge. There is an observation lift up one on the chimneys (pricey), lots of shops (pricey), eateries etc.
Two members left us after lunch, and four of us carried on downstream a bit further to cross back over to the north side of the river via Chelsea Bridge. We walked back upstream, taking in more sites until we reached Westminster, where the walk ended at around 7 mile mark.
The weather forecast was for rain. While it was lightly drizzling when we started out, it soon stopped. There was a heavy shower lunchtime when we were luckily inside, and so we missed the worst and enjoyed some sunshine at times.
Sue. S. 19th March 2023
South Downs Youth Hostel Weekend
Despite the biting cold, six of us - Eileen, Marian, Jinan, Fozi, Louise and Val - braved the wind and rain for a lovely weekend (10-13th March) at the YHA youth hostel just outside Lewes, organised by Eileen.
Littlehampton SeafrontWe spent a day in Littlehampton visiting Ann Walden, one of our ex-members who moved down there a while ago. We did a circular walk through the town and along the sea front, and then on to a lovely stretch from the estuary along The River Arun. I have to say we were all relieved to get back to town and out of the cold and wet for a well-earned evening meal at The Gravy Boat (Highly recommended - the food was delicious).
The next day we did another walk in and around the Lewes area, taking in various points of interest including Lewes Priory, Ann of Cleves House, and Southover Grange Gardens. I had forgotten how hilly Lewes is in places, and we had a good workout tackling same.
The final day we again spent a short time in Lewes and then on the homeward journey visited Standen House and gardens, a National Trust property.
Val. 15th March 2023