efog-blog
Epping Evening Walk - 25th May 2013
Peter's now-annual evening walk from Epping Station took place this year on Sunday 25th May.
The morning had continued somewhat cold – as so much of May seems to have been – but by the afternoon had warmed up enough that some of us were happy to walk with jackets removed.
Twelve of us left Epping Station at a little after 6pm – those who arrived earlier being treated (if treat it was to some) to the nostalgic sight of a Green Line RT bus, collecting passengers from the train and conveying them to Ongar.
There were – it should be said – also two dogs with us on the walk: Maz and Peter's faithful and familiar Katie and – familiar to me, at least – my friend's dog Alfie. Whereas the humans were happy to talk to each other – and some to the dogs too – the two canines ignored each other totally.
The walk took a now familiar route which takes in a variety of West Essex countryside, from rolling grassed field edged with hedges and trees, through ancient pollarded hornbeam woods, past farm buildings and down green lanes. The latter – some of which constitute parts of the Essex Way – were perhaps the most uncomfortable to travel, as sections were well-muddied, rutted and brambled. Such conditions also give rise to mosquitoes, so I at least found myself with some bites later that evening. However the open areas – which were most plentiful – gave us sometimes long views out towards Havering Country Park with its redwood trees sky-lining, and Bedfords Park with its gleaming white water tower. At one point, whilst a buzzard circled over a nearby wood, the downs of north Kent could be seen on the far horizon.
Maz left with Katie after a few miles as Katie was feeling the pressure; she's getting old. Alfie however just walked on, dismissing with disgust offered water. He usually tends to view water other than at home (or at the sea!) as rubbish.
Reaching the Forest Gate pub at Ivy Chimneys – where Maz and Katie joined us again – we met Ian, who'd driven there, and we settled down at the tables outside with various drinks and foodstuffs. It was now nearing 9pm, and the clear sky was aiding the evening chill, and discarded coats were put on. After the warmth of the walk, the chill actually led to some of us feeling distinctly cold, so offers by Maz and Ian of lifts back to Epping station for those who wanted were gladly accepted. A few walked back, adding an extra mile to the 5 mile walk.
I too had an extra mile added to the walk, as I had to return Alfie to his home in Debden. It is possible that I was more tired than he was.
Thanks top Peter for organising and leading the walk.
Paul Ferris, 26 May 2013
Castleton YHA weekend, 3rd-6th May 2013
We stayed at Losehill Hall YHA in Castleton in the Peak District. In years gone by the hostel was in Castleton village itself, but is now located in Losehill Hall, a short walk away. Losehill Hall is a Victorian gothic mansion set in spacious grounds and was previously the headquarters of the Peak District National Park Authority. Following a massive refurbishment it opened in 2012. 
On our first day we did a circular walk taking in Stanage Edge, a large gritstone edge popular with walkers and climbers. Parking in Hathersage we walked past North Lees Hall, thought to have been visited by Charlotte Bronte in 1845, and subsequently the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in her novel Jane Eyre. North Lees Hall is now looked after by the Vivat Trust, a charity set up to rescue dilapidated historic buildings and to let them as holiday accommodation.
North Lees Hall accommodates 6 people and would undoubtedly be an atmospheric place to stay, but unlike Losehill Hall not all the bedrooms are ensuite, and it is considerably more expensive! On the way up the edge the rain began, but almost as soon as waterproof trousers were donned it stopped. We walked along the Edge for some distance and then retraced our steps, continuing across the moor and round to make a circular walk back to Hathersage, where we refreshed ourselves in Cintra’s tea rooms.
The next day we walked from the hostel, going through Castleton itself and past Peveril Castle. This was built by William Peveril, thought to have been an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror. Walking up the Limestone Way, we then looped round and over Mam Tor, continuing along Back Tor and then turning back down the valley to reach the back of the hostel. Another fantastically sunny day.
On our last day we had a shortish walk near Grindleford, through the Longshaw Estate owned by the National Trust.
Jenefer 11th May 2013
Waltham Abbey Bike Ride 10.30am - Sunday 28th April, 2013
I cycled to the Abbey and met Jim, Julie, Lynne, Parviz, Phil and Ken. Unfortunately, we had only gone a few metres when Ken’s brake cable broke - so he had to abandon the ride. ☹
We attempted to cycle through the White Water Centre to have a look around but they had races on so it was tickets only. We cycled onto the towpath and headed towards Broxbourne stopping off at the Scandinavian-style lodges (YHA) in Cheshunt - picked up a few leaflets - nice café but it was too early to stop for a drink.
After a short ride we passed some excellent wooden sculptures (another excuse to stop again!) took a few photos and then headed to Broxbourne where we had lunch. We continued on to Dobbs Weir (saw a fisherman catch a BIG fish - about 2 feet - no exaggeration) & returned via Fishers Green back to Waltham Abbey where we finished off in the café at 2.30pm.
Jim and I then cycled along the towpath to Walthamstow. I have always wanted to cycle down there so it was very exciting for me to explore this part of the river. We had the wind against us most of the way so we took it in turns to lead.
Jim pointed out areas of interest on the way:
- Markfield Recreation Ground where there is the Beam Museum
- Springfield Marina - there were lots of racing boats out on the river.
- Big sailing boats.
We then left the towpath just after the Ice Ring and headed up the Lea Bridge Road going our separate ways near Whipps Cross Hospital.
Many thanks to Parviz for organising the excellent ride and to Jim for showing me the towpath.
Jill V.
EFOG - flying high from the Emirates to Oxleas Wood - 20th April 2013
Meeting at Stratford DLR station on 20th April 2013 for a trip on the Emirates Cable Car - previously cancelled due to bad weather - we set out on a gloriously sunny Saturday for the Royal Victoria Station, where we met up with Ken - our eleventh member - for the day’s walk.
We were lucky that there was not a queue, and we took over two cable cars for views west across the Thames, O2 Dome, Canary Wharf and the City of London, and east towards the Thames Barrier. If you haven’t been on this ride, it is truly worthwhile as the scenes are spectacular.
The walk started along the Thames footpath to the impressive Thames Barrier. From there south along a well signposted walk, called the ‘Green Chain Walk’ which took us through parks, streets, and commons. Fortunately I had printed a direction sheet, because there are several Green Chain Walks, and we would have gone wrong without it.
Just inside the attractive Marion Wilson Park is a deer compound, followed by a chicken and sheep enclosure. We found a couple of benches near the park exit and had lunch. Maz, particularly, was thrilled to see four horses being led riderless through the park, as they had come from the ‘Riding for the Disabled’ centre nearby. Marion and Ken found a café just around the corner in Charlton Park. When we caught up with them, some of the ladies had the pleasure (?) of using the toilets in the men’s football changing room, much to the consternation of the attendant! Amina, not wanting to use the gents was asked to take some toilet rolls across to the ladies toilets, only to be told by the attendant there that toilet rolls constituted a fire risk, and she was to take them back!
Crossing Eltham Common and into the trees, a long flight of steps through Castle Wood lead up to Severndroog Castle, a 63-foot folly built in 1784 to commemorate death of Commodore Sir William James who attacked and destroyed a pirate island fortress on the western coast of India in 1755. Just after the castle, down a few steps, is a formal garden overlooking the countryside.
From there it was a short walk through Jack Wood and another formal garden to a welcome stop at a café on a hill in Oxleas Wood. By now we were near the end of our walk and, having gone through Oxleas Wood to a main road junction, I found that I did not know where we were and how we were to find Falconwood Station. With a guess that turned out to be correct we were on our way home.
Peter G. 28th April 2018
Rodings Rally Donation to Haven House Children’s Hospice
EFOG’s Roding Rally (2012) donation to charity this year went to Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green, Essex. Committee members Dave, Maz, Peter, Val and myself were taken on a tour by Charlotte, one of the fundraising team, prior to handing over the £100 donation from the proceeds of the Rodings Rally.
Haven House Children’s Hospice proved to be to so much more than I imagined. The staff and volunteers provide planned and emergency care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to more than 150 children who have life-limiting conditions. It does this from their base in the superbly adapted ‘White House’ set in beautiful wooded grounds, just off Woodford Green High Road. They cater for children of all ages, from birth to 19 years old, serving as an invaluable support for the children and their families.
As well as providing temporary residential breaks for children in five specially adapted bedrooms they offer home support and specialist care training for many more within their catchment area. They also link with other organisations such as Great Ormond Street Hospital and have a toys and equipment loan service. Our tour included a look at a Music Therapy session, the Sensory Room and meditation / prayer room (in the former chapel of this once grand house).
We saw how raised floors in the bedrooms enabled the children to enjoy the amazing views through the windows. We looked at specialist equipment in care and work areas and walked around the gardens to see the play equipment. Maz, of course, couldn’t resist have ago at the hanging xylophone (made by the children). I would have liked to take an elephant or two home with me – but didn’t ask. I think Peter fancied the Pirate Ship. All this, and more, found in a delightful “home from home” environment which still provides the specialist care needed.
70% of the funding for Haven House needs to be raised from voluntary contributions. Their highly professional staff team is supported by a much-valued cadre of volunteers who undertake numerous roles, working anything from a couple of hours occasionally to a regular few days each week on specific tasks such as gardening. Many ‘donate’ their time in helping to organise several fundraising events and activities held throughout the year including walking and cycling challenges as well as several kinds of themed fun days and social events. PlaynNutz may even feature at a future event (Dave was wowed too).
Haven House advertise themselves as “a special place for special children”. This is exactly what we found.
To find out more please visit their website www.havenhouse.org.uk