Day trip to Osterley Park and House

Six intrepid EFOGers braved the searing summer heat, the threat of thunder and lightning and the Sunday morning crowds on the underground, to visit this “suburban palace” on Sunday 11th June. The visit, organised by Ken, was well worth it. There was so much to see, both in the extensive park and the house itself.

The country estate dates backs to Tudor times, but is presented as it would have been when it was redesigned by Robert Adams for the Child family. The house is credited as being one of the finest and complete examples of his work. The lavish rooms, furniture and décor have been extensively restored. It was clearly designed to impress the wealthiest aristocrat – which the owner wasn’t – although he had more wealth than many. I suspect it was one of the finest examples of a “trophy” house of its day.

The only (slightly) downside was that we hit the tea room at its busiest period – long queue and limited selection. It was better later – and the ice cream was tasty. The gardens had something for everyone. I particularly like the ancient trees and the walled gardens – on our pre-house walk. After visiting the house, the more wooded areas, were welcoming and peaceful, especially on such a hot day, until we began to be attacked by large and hungry mosquitoes (but not for long).

I suspect even they flew for shelter when, just as we were about to set off home the heavens opened to the tune of deep thunder claps. The sensible ones had brought macks or brollies. I ended up buying an umbrella in the NT shop, just after Lauren bought hers! They were put to good use on our way back to the underground.

A good (and very full) day out, Ken. Thank you very much. Thanks also to my other EFOG friends. Fellowship definitely is one of the perks in life.

Pam,  15th June 2023

Epping Forest Circular Walk

The group by Connaught Water15 members of the group meet at Loughton Station on Saturday 3rd June for a circular walk in Epping Forest. We headed into the forest at The Stubbles, with some lucky Mandarin ducklings getting fed with duck food on Strawberry Hill Pond.  We walked on to Connaught Waters, which we skirted around the north side, and then cut through the forest to pick up the Green Ride.  Seeing longhorn cattle grazing around the Three Bridges area, we continued on up through Hill Wood.  At the start of the Ups and Downs Ride, two sensible members took the flatter route to High Beech, and the rest of us got our cardio workouts on the ups and downs.  Lunch was enjoyed at High Beech in the sunshine; unfortunately the Bike Hut cafe had run out of ‘pasties’ and some disappointed members had to opt for other offerings. 

After our lunch break we continued our circular route via Mount Pleasant, passing by Loughton Camp and down the big hill. At the bottom we cut into the forest to pick up the Loughton Brook and onto the Staples Pond/Loughton Reservoir - now full of reeds and with no water currently visible, although the outlet on the other side of Staples Road was very pongy.  We finished the walk down Forest Road and Station Road to Loughton Station.  An enjoyable 6.5 mile walk by my pedometer, the weather had been splendid throughout, with sunshine and scudding clouds and a nice cool breeze - very nice for walking.

Sue S.  3rd June 2023

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