efog-blog
Recent outings and activities...
An EFOG week ( or so) in February
We EFOGers pack a lot into a week or so …. even in the winter wetness and threats of cold …. bless the science of woolly hats and layers.
Our walk to and across the “wild woods and heath” of Woolwich on the 15th February proved to be one of those days which brightened as it aged, starting grey and 'glowery' but evolving into a lovely afternoon which ended just in time for Ken to see the rugby. The day before, those going to see the magnificent 'Cotton To Gold' Exhibition in Temple Place also managed to get in a rain-free walk along the Embankment.
A week later – despite the forecast – it was a dry enough morning for Marian and her “team” to re-plant a lot of primroses – hopefully well away from the disturbance when the dear old hall - which is our weekly meeting place - is demolished and rebuilt. The work gang were bolstered by Fozi's gift of cakes to keep us going.
And that night? Wow! As I drove through the sleet to Copped Hall near Epping I wondered just how many others would be mad enough to go on Peter's evening walk. Not to worry – the gods were with us – or at least the elements. By the time we started the sleet had travelled on and we had a great (if rather squelchy in parts) forest walk, under a clear sky with bright stars and a beautiful sickle moon. A lucky few even managed to spot some deer.
That fish and chip supper, next to the huge log fire in the hall helped, of course – and the company of friends as well as friendly strangers.
In the last week or so we've also celebrated St. Valentine's Day. It wasn't just an excuse to eat – honest – but eats there were – and sweets. We had the chance to win heart shaped kibbles if we were were winners in the Valentine Quiz and buy Sue's delicious giant cup cakes or heart shaped flower arrangements - in aid of charity.
A week later, we welcomed the start of the Chinese Year Of The Ram. People brought a wide variety of appropriate flavoured' nibbles to sample under large Chinese lanterns and other decorations – everything from garlic flavoured peanuts (how do they do that when they're still in their shells) to lychee and lime jelly or mandarin choc stix. Other snacks involved quite a bit of guess work – were those little orange sweets really prunes? Meanwhile we listened to Chinese music and found out, with Jacky's guidance, how much (or little) we matched the personalities of the years in which we were born.
The hall has been a bit chilly of late but we we needed our layers more when 'outdoors' – even though we have been truly lucky with the weather. Well done and thanks to all who organised these events and helped – as well as those who went. Wasn't it fun?
Pam. 25th February 2015
EFOG's 2015 Rodings Rally Donation
As many of you will know, Epping Forest Outdoor Group includes 50p in its entry fee for the annual Rodings Rally (our November all night map and compass event in Epping Forest) The proceeds from this 'levy' are then given to one or more deserving causes decided by members at our January AGM.
This year the money is being given to The Gasworks Dock Partnership (GDP) in Canning Town.
Some of you will remember that Paul Ferris and I were drumming up votes last year for that part of the GDP project known as Cody Wilds, the greening of a kilometre stretch of the lower River Lea's bank, with the creation of reed beds and meadow. Some of our members also visited the Dock during one of Paul's walks in that direction last year. (see here)
The Gasworks Dock Partnership was started up, for public benefit, to help regenerate the area alongside the east bank of the lower Lea. It aims to do this by setting up a thriving cultural quarter around the Dock with community centre and arts and crafts studios. It also hopes to provide education, training and work experience for unemployed people.
The area will also provide accessible, affordable, recreational facilities, especially for those who, for whatever reason, are unable to enjoy these elsewhere.
Future income for GDP will come from the letting of moorings in the Dock to the boat community and studio space to artists. There is a great dearth of such moorings and affordable small studio space in London.
There are plans for a future museum to showcase the area's wealth of industrial heritage. Contacts are already being made with local schools to further GDP's educational objectives.
Val, Paul and I visited on Saturday 31 January to present the Club's cheque for £200 to Simon Myers, CEO of GDP, and came away even more convinced of the value of this project (see photos)
For more information, visit The Gasworks Dock Partnership website at http://www.gasworksdock.org.uk/
Duncan 31 January 2015
Of Buses & Birds
We have had two EFOG outings in the past two weeks – one on 24th January to see the 'Year Of The Bus' exhibition at the Queen Elizabeth Park, the other on 1st February to the London Wetland Centre to celebrate 'World Wetland Day'. Both were held on chilly, but partly-sunny, days and both were enjoyable in different ways. Definitely worth the effort of layering on the layers and risking being caught in half-predicted sudden showers of sleet and snow.
A few of us had seen some of the bus sculptures, which have been on display individually around London since October. Seeing them all lined up on the “bridge” going into the park was quite impressive, if a bit exposed to the elements – a few were to be found elsewhere in the park. There was a huge variety of designs – some very imaginative. My favourites were one covered in mosaic designs, the flower fairy bus and the guardsman. The buses will now be auctioned off for charity – the chance to bid ends on 24th February. If you type in 'Year Of The Bus Auction' on your browser you can see all the buses – and make a bid if you want (starting bid for each £1000........ )
We were a day early celebrating World Wetland Day. The day itself is the 2nd February – a Monday this year; five of us braved the elements the Sunday before. 'Our' local wetland is in Barn Elms – always worth a visit. The otters were particularly charming with lots of “behaviour” to amuse and fascinate. We then went on a guided tour round the 'The Wildside' – almost had the guide to ourselves, going into several hides and up to the viewing point. Afterwards, we took ourselves round the “captive” areas – the Australian area was particularly interesting. We didn't manage to spot a bittern but there were plenty of others birds to see, including a smew or two and black swans. Not surprisingly, not much was happening in terms of plants but there were still some interesting ones around – we really missed the presence of our 'experts' …. but we were very lucky with the weather..... none of the wet stuff.
On the first visit I “rounded up” people who had gone to the park by different routes. On the second I was rounded up by the people I was supposed to “lead” - but I knew where we were ending up when we finished – didn't I gang? Hey ho – here's to the next time!
Pam 2nd February 2015
A Smashing Panto
How many EFOGers can you get round a table in Pizza Express? The answer – a lot – until the plates get bigger. We had just reached that point and were creating an 'extension' when we heard a plate smash and the cry “Fred!!!”. That plucky man had managed to catch the pizza as his plate slipped under the table. Good job it wasn't soup.
We then met up with the others in the Theatre Royal at Stratford to see 'Beauty and The Beast' – a little different from the usual panto fare but still great fun. The singing was good the dancing excellent; the dialogue very clever. I really liked the puppets and the magic tricks. The Dame supplied 'body parts' humour in a droll kind of way, the slinky wicked witch and her nutty daughter were determined to “baddify” the world but didn't succeed (and became “goodified” in the end of course).The “cute” bear (especially when he took his costume off) and Peter Pan got us singing and – quite rightly – Belle ended up preferring the Beast to the Prince – so he turned back to what he was.
As we all left, to continue writing our own life's stories I realised that, although I had enjoyed the Stratford, show something inside missed corny old Greenwich – ah well there's always next year …...... wonder if Fred can repeat his performance?
Pam, 17th January 2015
What we do - and what we've done...
From local walks in Epping Forest, to longer distance walks in somewhere in Europe, the Epping Forest Outdoor Group tries to cater for what its members want to do.
Whether it is walking in Snaresbrook or Sicily, cycling in Cambridgeshire or Khartoum (not yet!), climbing Pole Hill or Ben Vrackie, playing balloon volleyball on a Thursday, an after-walk meal in London, a Quiz Night or our annual Rodings Rally - we usually find something to do at least once a week.
We have an ongoing programme of events, and these are available here, But what of after a holiday away, or even a day out? If we are lucky, someone will have taken photographs, and albums have been kept by Peter Gamble showing past events from years back. These are often on display at publicity stalls and the like.
But we also have a lot of on-line photos of past events, together with some write-ups, and an easy access to those - to bring back some memories or suggest some future possibilities - is available here!
Outing and events from 2005-2009 - photos
Present Programme
Coming Soon
Paul Ferris, 13th September 2014