A Sunday stroll towards Christmas: A walk from Snaresbrook to Chigwell - Sunday 9th December 2012
Ian Greer's walk from Snaresbrook on Sunday 9th December took place on a quite pleasant, and not bitterly cold, day. We were lucky, considering the somewhat inclement or at least chilly days that we seem to have been having – and were forecast for the following week!
Getting ready for the startThere was even something of a removal of some clothing by some of the eight who assembled outside of ROVSCO hall for Ian's punctual-at-11 set-off. Well, Eleven-o-five, actually, but we knew that the ninth person was well on her way! Whilst we waited in the bright sunshine a fox walked past us and crossed the road to the station, enjoying the sunshine too, no doubt, though perhaps a bit sun-dazzled. Not sure whether it was intending to catch a train, but anyway – I digress.
We walked past the Eagle, and through the luckily-not-flooded underground underpass to reach Hermon Hill, then walked down to Charlie Brown's. Charlie Brown is no longer there, of course, but his grand memorial roundabout is – an impressive obstacle to pedestrians who wish to cross. The nearest safe(er) crossing is up the road some way near Tesc*/*'s, where – nearby – is also the working place of Louise, but she said that she's turned the water off before closing up on Friday, so tea was out.
Louise, Pam, Madeleine and the dancing dogsThe Roding-side walk continues from across the crossing, but a little way back down towards the roundamemorial and, although pleasant and green enough, is a bit road-noisy and nowhere near the river. The river is eventually encountered – at least for a couple of hundred metres. At Woodford Bridge we walked uphill towards the village, and turned left, passing the Three Jolly Wheelers. We now entered Chigwell, where the houses all had security gates, so it must be a rough neighbourhood.
Passing a convenient garden centre, we went in to look at the Christmas specials. Lots of trees seemed to be leaving in fourbyfours and beemdoubleyous, and inside was a great display of dancing dogs, which took up most of my time. Jinan snogged Father Christmas, but his wife wasn't around so that was all right for Jinan, but not for me 'cos Mother Christmas might've been my opportunity.
Father Christmas and JinanAfter 4.5 miles from Snaresbrook we entered police property, where some of us had a roast and others waited an age for a sandwich. After that we made our various ways homewards or onwards and I lost sight of all but Louise and Jinan. The three of us had determined to continue to the Chigwell Riding Trust's Christmas Carol and Nativity Service* – a further 1.5 miles. It struck me as funny as we walked through Chigwell Village that a Jew, a Moslem and a Pagan were jointly making their way to a Christian event. We were reminded later, at the service, about three people - probably of mixed backgrounds - who'd done a similar thing years ago, BCE.
Chigwell Police finish-for-someI've never been to the annual Chigwell Riding Trust Christmas event before – Christmas, as many of you will know, is not really my thing – but I enjoyed it. I did suggest to Louise that we cut to the chase at the point where you take a candle and parade past the manger, and go straight to the mulled wine and mince pies. She called me a heathen, so I went along with everybody else. There was plenty of mulled wine and mince pies anyway, and a slight diversion to see the baby Jesus on the way wasn't really a bad thing. There were angels and donkeys (horses - or maybe ponies - actually, but I mustn't be pedantic), as well as shepherds and that, so it looked very nice.
I should say that I had a good time and that possibly a good time was had by all.
* Please have a look at Chigwell Riding Trust For Special Needs website here
Paul Ferris, 9th December 2012