Walk Report

Berrylands to East Croydon, Saturday 7th November 2009
17 walkers, 23 miles - leader Jerome Ripp
17 of us gathered at Berrylands station for what turned out to be a glorious autumn day, lots of sunshine, bright crisp and clear. We were following the South West section of the London Loop and despite the proximity of urban sprawl, we spent most of the day in lovely countryside; woodlands, downs, riverside paths. Some muddy sections but generally the ground conditions were very good. Along the Hogsmill River, over the A3, passing a go-kart track and soon down to the duck ponds at West Ewell for a break. A lovely trail in Nonsuch Park and after a road section, another fine stretch over Banstead Down, through woods with lots of photo opportunities to capture the autumn colours. Lunch at noon in the Craft Centre Cafe in Oaks park which the participants thought was excellent food at reasonable prices. Over lavender fields and then a tricky road negotiation through Coulsdon but once through we were rewarded with a superb loop over Farthing Down, by now some of us feeling quite suntanned and then Happy Valley with its plethora of lovely trails. Now swinging North East over Coulsdon and Kenley Commons to cross the A22 and a short detour from the London Loop enabled us to climb the side of a chalk quarry on a very steep and rough track. The day was fast fading as we crossed to Hamsey Green and then joined the Vanguard Way on the edges of Croydon. There was still another lovely stretch through Selsdon Wood and finally we had to use Paul Lawrence's super gadget phone to negotiate some roads to reach the Coombe Lane tram stop which was the end of the walk. 21 miles it was not, maybe 23 or even 24, but what a lovely day.

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