efog-blog
Broxbourne to Rye House Walk
With storm Bert battering much of the country on Saturday 23rd November, I headed to Stratford on a grey overcast day, and met Madeleine before we headed off to Broxbourne on the train. At Broxbourne we met up with Cathy, Richard and Lorraine, who had come by car. The weather forecast said the rain should stop by 11 o’clock. However, it hadn’t; but undaunted, we set off northwards along the River Lee Navigation, knowing that if the rain continued we could take shelter in the cafe just two miles away.
Fish and Eeel Pub at Dobbs WeirThe river was pretty quiet as we passed some of the brightly coloured narrow boats moored up by the river banks, some in pristine condition, whilst others needed a little TLC. Even the wildlife seemed reluctant to venture out. We passed one hardy boater cruising the river and after about 20 minutes the rain stopped, although we still played “dodge the puddles” on the rough track beside the river. We soon reached the cafe at Dobbs Weir and had a stop for some drinks and a snack.
Leaving the cafe, we rejoined the river, crossing the weir, heading to Rye House. This section is a bit industrialised, but what struck me (luckily not an overhanging branch) was that I couldn’t hear the go-karts at Rye House kart track. As we reached the track, the go-karts went out on the circuit, having waited for the track to dry off.
Rye House GatehouseLeaving the Lee Navigation we crossed the river to visit Rye House Gatehouse, which was part of one of the first brick built houses in the country, dating back to 1443, and is a Grade I listed building. It has been home to royalty, ghosts and an assassination plot. It wasn’t open, so we had a look around the outside. RSPB Rye Meads is just a little further down the road, but we didn’t go there.
Retracing our steps, we crossed back over the river and railway to walk southwards along the New River path. We stopped to watch a flock of ducks, which were acting strangely, with some of the gentleman ducks rearing up out of the water and making a whistling noise, presumably to impress the ladies (no, not Cathy, Madeleine and Lorraine, I meant the lady ducks!).
The Gatehouse from the rearWe continued along the New River, an aqueduct built to bring fresh water from Hertford to north London. It’s obviously man made as it’s higher than much of the surrounding valley. We followed an Egret and then a Cormorant as we walked along the river, with good views out over the Lee Valley to our left, and some very posh houses over the river. Arriving back at Broxbourne we headed for the cafe. .
The walk had been about 6 miles along two watercourses, and the weather had been decent apart from at the start. We had included two cafe stops, and a historic building as well. All in all, it was a very enjoyable walk.
Trev Eley. 27th November 2024
Photos by Madeleine
Frieze London Sculpture Exhibition
On Sunday 20th October, eight of us met at Great Portland Street station at 10.30am. Although it was a bit wet to start with, that soon cleared and at least it wasn't cold.
The Frieze Sculptures - an annual event that is London's largest free display of outdoor art - are dotted around The English Garden in Regent's Park; this year there were 25 works of art on display, although one was only in situ during the Art Fair, last week, so we missed that.
Bambatha IBy zigzagging across the grass, we visited every piece that was there: a dancer figure that morphed a bird's head onto a human body (albeit one with four arms); a large clay head; a doubled figure that had four arms with the upturned hands holding the 'head' up, four feet and two faces (Seeing Both Sides); a bronze sculpture of the artist encircled by a brass snake-like coil (Bambatha I); split rocks, that came from the Dorset coast, alongside a tall, cast-brass lightning rod (Lightning Rod) that looked like a shell (next to which a linked, free qigong class was taking place as qigong is about cultivating energy from within); a brass bell, in the shape of a calla lily, handing from a tree; the shadow of a tree painted onto the ground in front of it using grass paint (who knew there was such a thing?); metallic structures representing figures uniting land and sea; two towering pillars of ceramic painkiller and psychosis pills; three separate works by one artist, focussing on repetitive movement, which supposedly contain anatomical figures but in which we found elephants, fish and cartoon mice; a stack of bronze balls topped with what was described as an elaborate hairpin; a mosaic inspired by a large mausoleum floor that was recently uncovered in Southwark; a flower head with chicken feet; a black & white chequered table (Materials 0f the Mind Theatre
Materials 0f the Mind Theatre) with what were apparently clay sculptures resembling costumes (but looked like amputated body parts) arranged on it and many more. The painted grass was fascinating and clever, but my highlight was a bright blue half-body, with coloured upright sheets in the head area, a blue bollard set a little way in front of it and a pyramid of brass coil behind (that may or may not be a polished turd) which was all based on Hieronymus Bosch's 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' (Non-Earthly Delights). I would happily make space in my garden for that.
Ent Non Earthly DelightsWe spent more than an hour and a half looking at all the sculptures, critiquing, admiring, being confused (clearly none of us are refined art experts), laughing, reading all the long, multi-syllable words that were scattered across most of the descriptions and Googling some of the references. Although we understood it, I've since confirmed that matrilineal is a real word. Unsurprisingly, we each liked different pieces, but it was a very enjoyable visit for all.
We then headed to the Wetherspoons pub by Baker Street station and managed to get two large tables next to each other, so we were all seated together. After a pleasant, leisurely lunch, we went our separate ways.
Jill S. 20th October 2024
Seeing Both Sides
Sand
Lightning Rod
Photos by Jill S.
An Early Autumn walk in Epping Forest
Twelve members met at Loughton Station on Saturday 5th October for a circular walk in Epping Forest. We joined the forest from The Stubbles, wending our way out to Connaught Waters. Near to Connaught Waters we encountered quite a few runners on some of the paths who were apparently either doing a 25K or 50k route. Glad to be walking instead of running, most of us walked around the lake, a couple of members opting to do the short side. After a quick snack break, we cut through the forest to join the Green Ride, taking this path all the way through onto the ‘Ups and Downs’, although a couple of members did the ‘level’ road-route from near the biker’s hut to avoid the hills and the cardio workout. We all met together for lunch at the cycling hut, after which we visited the Visitors Centre before carrying on via the Mount Pleasant Ride and down the Big Hill/Green Ride to Earls Path Pond and on to Strawberry Hill Pond. On this pond - which locals call Stubbles Pond - there were lots of Mandarin ducks, which was nice to see. A final push through to and across The Stubbles took the group back to Loughton Station. By my step counter the route was 6.5 miles; the weather was lovely, and it was a joy to be walking and enjoying good company and the forest.
Sue S. 5th October 2024. Photos: Trevor
Hatfield Forest and the Flitch Way
We nearly didn’t make it to Hatfield Forest on 21st September for Richard's walk. Jill was driving along the approach road and two muntjac deer hurtled across the road right in front of her. Fortunately, Jill was going slowly and was able to brake because another, fallow, deer then crossed the road. Hearts settling down, we made our way to the car park.
The group in Hatfield Forest
Hatfield Forest is under the care of the National Trust and is a National Nature Reserve. We had to produce membership cards to obtain free parking. The forecast had been for rain but the sun was now shining and we boldly set off with the rainwear either left in the cars or packed in our rucksacks. A quick drink at the café (and a monster flapjack – 416 cal – for Brian) and we set off across grounds showing the unmistakeable imprint of Capability Brown. The sun beat down on the exposed grassland and Jill for one took off her trouser bottoms – the bit below the knee, I hasten to add.
Lunch at Takeley Station
We walked over to the former rail line bordering the forest and now part of the Flitch Way. This is now a popular route for walkers, joggers and cyclists and we turned down it to make our way to Takeley station. We had our lunch there and posed for pictures outside the building and platform, now disused. A return walk down the Frith Way felt much shorter, even though we had to wait for a large group of cyclists to go past. On to the top edge of the Forest, we turned off the Frith Way and headed back, having to avoid some cows on the way. Back at the café we had more drinks in the beautiful sunshine and watched as the queue at the café got longer and longer. When will National Trust institute a more logical way of dealing with orders for coffee?
We calculated we covered just over five miles which in that heat was enough. Suitably refreshed, we climbed into the cars and went home.
Brian. 24th September 2024
South Downs Holiday - September 2024
Sunday 8th September, and we were meeting at the Eagle pub for a four-day holiday in the South Downs. Eileen, Marian and I all arrived promptly but Louise was running a bit late, having got on the wrong train, but she soon joined us and we set off. However, the southbound Blackwall Tunnel was closed for works so we diverted to the Woolwich Ferry; who doesn’t love a holiday cruise, albeit only a very short one?
The plan was to visit Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill and his family from the early 1920s, on route. On arrival we headed for the cafe and a welcome brew before visiting the house and gardens. Before visiting the house, we visited the gallery where a member of staff gave an interesting talk on Churchill and in particular his love of painting; he was quite the artist, amongst other things. Afterwards we visited the house, which has been restored to how it was in the 1920s, before returning to the car and continuing to the South Downs Youth Hostel at Itford Farm, Beddingham - near Lewes - where we had our evening meal.
On Monday we visited Ann, a former group member who moved to Littlehampton three years ago. Ann joined us on a very pretty walk of about 5 miles, from the harbour, along the river before heading through the countryside and a very overgrown stretch of woodland, leading to much cursing and swearing (no that’s not a nearby village!) before returning to Littlehampton along the beach. Arriving back at the harbour we headed for a cafe for drink, cake and some rest before enjoying an evening meal at the Arun View pub, which overlooks the River Arun and enjoying the sunset (very nice).
On Tuesday we caught the train to the nearby town of Lewes. After a cafe stop, we split up to explore this historic town, before meeting up at Anne of Cleaves House Museum, which actually had little to do with Anne of Cleaves (she seems to have visited it occasionally). Afterwards, the ladies were going to walk back along the South Downs Way, while I was going to return by way of the riverside path. However I couldn’t find a way to the river and with the increasingly gloomy weather, I wimped out and caught the train back. The ladies had the map and a written guide to the South Downs Way, so what could possibly go wrong? Anyway, shortly after arriving back at the hostel I had a call saying they were abandoning the walk as the path had disappeared.
On Wednesday we left the hostel to return home via Hever Castle. Arriving at the castle we split up to explore the grounds. I headed straight for the lakeside walk and water maze, which was a very pleasant walk. Meeting up for lunch we then headed to the castle to learn about its history and the life and times of Anne Boleyn and her family, although it didn’t end well (for her anyway!). Afterwards we departed heading for home, having had a very enjoyable break.
I’d like to thank Eileen for organising the holiday and doing all the driving (and putting up with my navigating when required, especially the A26 diversion loop!).
Trev Eley. 24th September 2024