efog-blog
Snaresbrook to Chingford
Twelve of us met at the clubhouse in Snaresbrook on a sunny Saturday 29th of July. Setting off, we passed Eagle Pond and noticed the large number of swans. Avian Flu does not seem to have had much impact here! A stop at Birch Well, an important source of water in the early 19th century, and then on past Hollow Pond.
Crossing the busy Woodford New Road we walked up through Canada Plain, meeting other walkers going the opposite way and, like ourselves, enjoying the weather.
There is a steep ascent on the way to the bridge over Forest Road and it was here that Fred showed his true colours, slipping on the surface and taking firm hold of Laurel as he struggled to remain upright.
Walking on the bridge over the North Circular Road only emphasises what a scar on the landscape it is and how much it has affected the forest. Couldn’t they have done a Bell Common here and put it underground?
Into Walthamstow Forest (the “waste”) roughly following the “Old Woodford Road” we crossed Oak Hill and headed up to the Bridle Path and into The Sale. A previous walk along here had come across a swing hanging from a tree and sure enough, there was a swing this time. Regrettably none of us were flexible enough to get our legs over the rather high bar and so a photo opportunity was missed.
We had been warned by Kathy that Humphrey’s café in Highams Park was shut because builders were in and we therefore stopped at the southern end of Highams Lake. There were only a couple of benches but a high wall provided amusement as some of us struggled to climb it. Kathy joining us meant that we were now 13 and sure enough, immediately after we set off again, Fred fell over, cutting his head. The group had already split up and an activity that Efoggers will recognise was taking place, namely shouting loudly to try and find the missing members. Eventually we all joined up again and Fred’s wound was dealt with.
Across Chingford Lane we now started to follow the route of the River Ching, changed from the name River Bourne in the 19th century to take the name of the surrounding are. It is normally the other way round. People were getting tired now and we left Fred at Whitehall Road to take a bus home while the rest of us climbed past Whitehall Plain to Rangers Road and our finish at The View visitor centre.
Brian U. 5th August 2023
London Bridge to Wapping
In lieu of the original Sunday walk on the Programme, a group of us met at Tower Bridge Station on Saturday 8th July and – led by Richard – we followed a meandering route (taken from ‘Hidden London’ which details some of the history of different areas) along the Thames towards Wapping, taking us past St Katherine’s Dock and Dickens' pub, which is next to Telford’s Footbridge.
From the Thames there were good views of old/new London – St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The Shard, etc.
Unfortunately it started to rain, so when it got a bit heavy at 12ish, we took refuge and had an early lunch in the historic old pub, The Town of Ramsgate. It was still raining as we exited the pub, so we cut short the walk and made straight for Wapping Station. The whole walk was 2.5 miles.
Richard. 5th August 2023
Evening circular walk - Eagle and Hollow Ponds
At 7.30pm on Thursday 1st June, which was a very warm summer's evening, 12 little EFOGees set off for a walk. 12 little EFOGees also returned. Just not all together.
Walking the River Lea Navigation
On Tuesday 13th June a group of four stalwarts (Jill S, Brian & Kathy and Richard) set off from Waltham Cross Station in the heat, along the A121, towards Waltham Abbey before turning off along the Lea Navigation foot/tow path. We encountered a few midges early on, but undaunted we carried on first to the Greyhound Pub where we stopped for some liquid refreshment.
Emerging back into the sun, we progressed to Enfield Lock and just beyond it the Swan & Pike Pool. We didn’t see any swans or pike, but did watch a family of coots on their nest.
Carrying on down the towpath we saw other young coots, cygnets and ducklings as well as a varying assortment of boats and barges. There were three Brent Alpha lifeboats (2 with no windows, 1 undergoing a conversion to add windows), a narrow boat ‘Black Bart’ named after a late 17th/early 18th Century Welsh pirate (Robert Bartholomew, the scourge of the Caribbean) amongst other boats.
We stopped for lunch at The Navigation Inn by Ponders End Lock. It’s a former waterworks building converted previously into a pub/night club, but now a Harvester and conveniently situated around the half-way point of our walk.
We then carried on to Stonebridge Lock where we saw coots had built a nest on a sunken boat just near the lock. It was then an easy walk on to Tottenham Hale and the train back home.
Total distance was about 9 miles.
Richard. 17th June 2023
Day trip to Osterley Park and House
Six intrepid EFOGers braved the searing summer heat, the threat of thunder and lightning and the Sunday morning crowds on the underground, to visit this “suburban palace” on Sunday 11th June. The visit, organised by Ken, was well worth it. There was so much to see, both in the extensive park and the house itself.
The country estate dates backs to Tudor times, but is presented as it would have been when it was redesigned by Robert Adams for the Child family. The house is credited as being one of the finest and complete examples of his work. The lavish rooms, furniture and décor have been extensively restored. It was clearly designed to impress the wealthiest aristocrat – which the owner wasn’t – although he had more wealth than many. I suspect it was one of the finest examples of a “trophy” house of its day.
The only (slightly) downside was that we hit the tea room at its busiest period – long queue and limited selection. It was better later – and the ice cream was tasty. The gardens had something for everyone. I particularly like the ancient trees and the walled gardens – on our pre-house walk. After visiting the house, the more wooded areas, were welcoming and peaceful, especially on such a hot day, until we began to be attacked by large and hungry mosquitoes (but not for long).
I suspect even they flew for shelter when, just as we were about to set off home the heavens opened to the tune of deep thunder claps. The sensible ones had brought macks or brollies. I ended up buying an umbrella in the NT shop, just after Lauren bought hers! They were put to good use on our way back to the underground.
A good (and very full) day out, Ken. Thank you very much. Thanks also to my other EFOG friends. Fellowship definitely is one of the perks in life.
Pam, 15th June 2023