Walk Report

Another Ham and Venison Wrap, Sunday 10th January 2010
11 walkers, 20 miles - leader Andy Shoesmith
11 of us set out from Wimbledon station at 9am. Fortunately an overnight thaw had made the pavements much safer and aided our way to Wimbledon Park, past the Tennis arena and on to Wimbledon Common. From there, we were almost exclusively walking on snow. We headed across Wimbledon Common, to Robin Hood Gate, entered Richmond Park, up the hill and around Isabella's Plantation, with a number of deer sightings, including a pretty large group, with some impressively antlered males. Then to Ham Gate, on to Ham Green, past the pond and through the housing estate to get to Teddington Lock. By this time most of us were feeling pretty warm, having layered up to cope with extreme cold. The snow made walking harder than usual, but we pushed on, to make sure we got to our lunch stop on time. From Teddington Lock, we followed the Thames Path. The only snow-free bits were where the high tide had flooded across the footpath. Our lunch objective was the Roebuck pub, at the top of Richmond Hill, so appetites were heightened by the final pull up the steep slope. The food was well received, as were their excellent beers. Service was quick, so were out well within the hour. We were reduced to 9 after lunch (they definitely left the pub). From the Roebuck, we headed straight back into Richmond Park, where I managed to take a different route to that I intended. I blame the snow, which changes how everything looks. We headed close to the northern perimeter of the Park, past East Sheen and Roehampton gates. We then followed the Beverley Brook back to Robin Hood Gate. Then back into Wimbledon Common. This time we went past Putney Vale, then to the Windmill, across the golf course, back to Wimbledon Village and down the hill to the station.

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