Latest Walk Reports 8th - 9th March 2024


Shenfield to Brentwood.

19 walkers, 17 miles - leader Lonica Vanclay

19 of us assembled at Shenfield station for the 9am start.  It stayed sunny and warm all day – some were down to T-shirt only by afternoon.  The mud was definitely much reduced and we were able to maintain a 3.1mph moving average for the 17 miles.  Lots of big fresh green Essex fields but some woods as well.  Excellent views over the Thames plains from Thorndon Country park and the park’s trees looked fine in the silvery afternoon sunshine.  The Old Dog Inn was a great lunch spot – quick sandwiches, good beer and lots of outdoor seating for the picknickers. And back at Brentwood by 4pm so we all went home early or had time for some post walk refreshment too.

Photographs by Gavin Fuller and Graham Wright.


Walking with the Commuters 9 - 5:  Jubilee Greenway north, linear from Westminster station to Royal Albert (DLR) station.

12 walkers, 18.9 miles - leader Jerome Ripp

Today was the first day of TFL’s 3 month trial of concessionary travel rates on a Friday. An ideal opportunity for a full day walk and it was a pleasant surprise that we were a group of 12 as this was a pop-up walk. Rather chilly at times but sunshine and lots of flowers in the parks to remind us that Spring is just round the corner. The Jubilee Greenway is fairly well signposted on the ground and guarantees a mud-free walk which was a welcome change and much appreciated by everyone.

First part in the parks: St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Park followed by a long stretch on the Grand Union Canal which included a stop at the appropriately named “Pit Stop café” at St. Marks church. Keith performed his usual excellent back marker role ensuring a safe passage through the cacophony of Camden Lock and later Chapel Street market. A late lunch stop at the café in Victoria Park and then the Greenway. The original plan was to continue to Woolwich foot tunnel, however commuters all know that a 9 to 5 job means that you finish about 4 on a Friday (POETS day) and so we did the same and ended at Royal Albert DLR station. Southern half of this route to follow sometime soon.

Photographs by Jerome Ripp.