Walk Report

London's Parks by Night and Xmas Lights, Wednesday 7th December 2016
14 walkers, 7.3 miles - leader Jane Bates
14 of us met at Charing Cross, but I almost lost 2 within 100 yards of start - a record even for me. Once reunited we went down Whitehall past Women in War memorial and Cenotaph, then through St James Park, Green Park and Hyde Park before exiting by the Animals in War memorial at Park Lane. On the way we visited many other war memorials including the Canadian one, the New Zealand one and a Holocaust memorial amongst others. In stark contrast to all the memorials our walk around Hyde Park had the constant backdrop of the Winter Wonderland rather extreme attractions. Once we exited the parks we then visited all the famous and not so famous Xmas lights; Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street as well as Carnaby Street, Burlington Arcade, some Xmas shop window displays and tiny little Xmas light bedecked areas such as Kingsley Court where we had to squeeze between tables. We eventually wandered back to Trafalgar Square where the famous, but not very impressive, Norwegian Xmas tree was placed. Finished just before 9 at Wetherspoons on Whitehall where eventually our booked table appeared and a few beers and usual Wetherspoon fare was partaken. Weather dry and mild for time of year. Miles - just over 7 miles, start 6 pm, finished 8.45pm.
Photographs by Jane Bates and Paul Lawrence

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