The Fleet on Foot Walk - 21^st October 2012

The weather dawned wet and gloomy as intrepid efoggers gathered at Blackfriars Station for a walk to follow the course of the River Fleet from the Thames across London to its source on Hampstead Heath. This was a virtual river walk, as the Fleet now flows for almost all of its length under the streets of London.

Eleven walkers gathered in good spirit and proceeded to lean over the Embankment to peer at the gated exit of the river Fleet into the Thames. Surprised onlookers were taken aback but fortunately no one fell in!

We then stepped lively through back alleys of Blackfriars and Holborn to admire several churches and the house of Dr Johnson, he who never grew tired of all the gin joints in all of London until he died. Shouts of ‘lead me to a coffee shop’ were politely ignored by our walk leader Pamela who jollied the group towards the British Museum.

We arrived ahead of schedule and a coffee break was taken in a nearby Italian cafe; very good it was too, and some enjoyed a late breakfast. Upon paying the bill some consternation was aroused in a couple of effoggers who thought they'd enjoyed a small coffee whereas it had been cafe grande.....a swift comparison of coffee cups allayed fears of over-charging.

The group explored the interior of the British Museum and met up at the rear entrance to proceed onwards to Kings Cross and then to Camden Lock where crowds were enjoying exotic nosh along the Regents Canal. We avoided temptation and shouldered them aside to reach the top of Primrose Hill for a lunch break. Here we were entertained by a chap with a false moustache on a Barclays hire bike about to ride down the hill which he eventually did at walking pace. Bradley Wiggens you have nothing to fear!

After lunch we pressed on to Hampstead and then tramped across the heath to view the source of the Fleet in the middle of a wooded area. It was a mere dribble, but the drinking-water fountain above was most refreshing. After enjoying the magnificent views across the heath we made our way to Gospel Oak station and took the overground train to Stratford. A very enjoyable walk was enjoyed by all and special thanks to Pam ably supported by Paul Ferris.

 Dave Townsend