A warm welcome to new Primary members Magdalena Grabowska, and Associate member Sarah Richardson.
Forthcoming Walks
There are three joined-up walks over the bank holiday weekend following the Shipwrights Way from Bentley to Cosham near Portsmouth, as well a midweek central London walk.
Tuesday 30th April 2024
The Alley 100
Event Type
Group Walk.
Region
Southern England
Distance
14 miles
Start Time
11:00
Route
Meet at Bond St. Station (Elizabeth Line Davies St entrance). Last year's route in reverse with some diversions to accommodate different alleys: come and spot the differences. Target for this year is now 115 alleys, but can we beat last year’s record of 120?
Late start so expect a later than usual finish at Liverpool St. station about 18:00 followed by celebrations in a nearby Weatherspoons.
General Notes
Coffee stop & lunch stop both suitable for B.Y.O. Prior registration by e-mail is requested for this walk which is limited to 25 participants to reduce the stress on our back marker.
Contact
Ron Williamson Tel: 07842701566. ronwilliamsonuk@gmail.com
Start: TQ285811: what three words: crab.divide.mild
Finish: TQ332817: what three words: left.shiny.alone
Saturday 4th May 2024
Shipwrights Way Day 1
Event Type
Group Walk.
Region
Southern England, Surrey
Distance
18 miles
Start Time
9:05
Route
Bentley Station (train departs London Waterloo 07.54, Clapham Junction 08.01)
We descend from the train and are immediately plunged into Alice Holt forest; the first of many attractive woodlands we'll pass through today. There should be at least one patch of bluebells too. Little ascent and relatively dry. We part from the Shipwrights Way in a few places to avoid road walking, We finish the day at Petersfield station ready to resume the following morning.
General Notes
Picnic lunch. Please bring everything you'll need for the day as there is nowhere to buy refreshments between Alice Holt cafe and Liss. We pass Liss station at 14 miles, which is an obvious drop out point. There are sculptures along the way marking the geographical, historical and natural features of the area.
Start: SU792430: what three words: direction.factories.unloaded
Finish: SU743235: what three words: vandalism.glaze.herd
Sunday 5th May 2024
Shipwrights Way Day 2
Event Type
Group Walk.
Region
Southern England, Sussex
Distance 16 miles
Start Time: 9:40
Route
Petersfield station (train departs Waterloo 08.30, Clapham Junction 08.37).
Picking up where we left off the day before, we follow several roads to Buriton, where things start to get undulating for the next ten miles or so. Passing through Queen Elizabeth Country Park, we then pick up the recommended walkers route along the Staunton Way to Rowlands Castle, with a diversion to the "church in the fields." Break point at Rowlands Castler (11.5 miles). Once we get to Havant and the Staunton Country Park rather than follow the precise route of the Shipwrights Way, which involves a mile and a quarter alongside a dual carriageway, we take a slightly more scenic route to the finish at Havant station.
General Notes
If getting a return ticket on the day get a return ticket to Havant. Please bring a picnic lunch as there is nowhere to purchase any food en route. There is a pub at the projected lunch stop and there should be time for rehydration if needed on the day.
Start: SU 743235: what three words: vandalism.glaze.herd
Finish: SU717066: what three words: pumps.places.tame
Monday 6th May 2024
Shipwrights Way Day 3
Event Type
Group Walk.
Region
Southern England, Sussex
Distance
18 miles.
Start Time
9:50
Route
Havant station (fastest train departs Waterloo 08.27, Clapham Junction 08.34; there is also one departing London Victoria at 08.05, East Croydon 08.23)
We rejoin the Shipwrights Way to follow an old railway line down through Hayling Island. After a walk along the beach we catch the Hayling Ferry (I'm aiming for the 12.40 departure) across to Eastney, where we follow the last stage of the Way to the end of the trail at Portsmouth Dockyard. Break point here at 12.5 miles for Portsmouth Harbour station. As this is a bit short for a day walk if you haven't had enough of the Chair wittering on about being on home turf you can continue along the England Coast Path to Portsbridge and up to the end of today's walk at Cosham station
Start: SU717066: what three words: pump.places.tame
Finish: SU657051: what three words: clap.circle.roof
Last week's walk
1. Thursday 25th April: Ron and Keith's Birthday combo. Fourteen people joined Keith and Ron for their seaside walk from Leigh-on-Sea to the Parsons' Barn in Shoeburyness via several cafes and Southend Pier.
The walkers by Leigh-on-Sea beach Photo: Paul Lawrence
The walkers at the end of Southend Pier enjoying the cooling sea breeze
Photo: Paul Lawrence
The birthday boys by Old Leigh Buoy
Photo: Gavin Fuller
2. Saturday 27th April: Lullingstone Loop. Twenty four members joined Emma Dowling on her first led walk for London Group which started from a new start point - Chelsfield station.
London Group walkers responsibly sticking to the paths through vegetables near Hope Farm village Photos: Gavin Fuller
Sculptures in Lullingstone and Preston Hill Country Park
Photo: Gavin Fuller
London Skyline from side of Doctor's Wood Photo: Gavin Fuller
Property of the Week
Spotted on Thursday's walk near Leigh-on Sea
Photo: Gavin Fuller
Church of the week
Well Hill Mission Chapel - spotted on Saturday's walk
