Walk Report

An Escape from Harold Wood, Wednesday 9th February 2017
7 walkers, 10 miles including Dairy Man Diversion - leader Ron Williamson
An escape was almost impossible as we struggled to reach the start. All trains being cancelled between Upminster and Romford the leader managed to reach Harold Wood by other means only to be confronted by the message 'No trains from Liverpool Street untll further notice'. Miraculously, completely unannounced, a train pulled into the station and off stepped Dave, we agreed to wait for 20 mins to see what would transpire when within 5 mins TFL found another with 5 extra walkers aboard. Such excitement obviously overcame the station staff who erroneously stated that there were no Loos at the station when in fact they were on the other platform.
Well able to cope with the stress and confident that things could only get better the mass break out began some 15 mins behind schedule.
Our spirits were first lifted by a short encounter with an old friend The London Loop, and then the rapidly maturing Thames Chase, what a fine asset this proving to be for outdoor lovers!
A muddy transverse of ancient Tyler's Common, a fight through the more or less impenetrable Jermain's Wood and we had lost all pursuers before crossing the motorway bridge into Essex.
Onwards and upwards along well-maintained field edge paths, and we soon regained cover from the oak and birch trees of Warley Gap. A quickening of pace along a short road section and we reached our lunch time hide a way The Greyhound on time.
Suitably refreshed and confident of achieving our goal we were ready to enjoy the rest of the walk.
The massive ancient trees in the former park land of Thorndon Hall soon surrounded us as we began to head Northwards towards our destination .We were by now so convinced of our ultimate success that we took time to seek out uncharted routes through Hartswood and King George's Park.
A final devious course enabled an undercover approach to within 500 yds of The Dairy Man and time for sustenance.
But all was not over yet, the downhill walk to the station taking us past the doors to The Spread Eagle, a celebrated real ale pub, so another diversion was called for.
So what started out as a near disaster ended with cheers all-round.
But we all know what a good walk can do!

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