efog-blog
Upminster to Cranham Walk
Having been thwarted by TfL from doing my originally planned walk, a super sub. of a walk was needed. Hence eleven of us met up at Upminster Station at 11-ish o’clock (some more “ish” than others!), on Saturday 12th February.
The first mile was along main roads, until we reached a narrow road leading to All Saints Church (possibly named after the well known girl group?). From here we headed along a track, past horses and fields, until we reached Cranham Marsh Nature Reserve, which is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. Entering the reserve we followed a path through a wood, eventually reaching an information board with carved wooden posts
We then crossed over a river (well, a small stream, actually) to grassland, and continued with the old flood-marshes to our left. Eventually we left the reserve and stopped for a rather late elevenses break. We resumed our walk along more field edges before climbing a small slope to cross over the railway line and then enteed the Thames Chase woodlands, heading through the trees to the Visitor Centre, accompanied by the gentle roar of M25 traffic (I love that road!)
We reached the Centre and enjoyed a lunch stop before starting on the last quarter of our walk, heading westwards around and across more fields and passing back under the railway line, and heading back to the church. Following another path to houses, we returned via quiet residential streets, before hitting the main road five minutes walk from the station to complete the walk.
It had been a good walk with warm sunny weather, the paths were not very muddy and no-one got lost or left behind. Finally at the station, heading through the car park, some of us spotted a fox, quite happy among all the many vehicles.
Trev ('Pathfinder') Eley 17th February 2022 Photos by Eileen. 12th February 2022
The Epping Forest Oak Trail
Six of us met at Theydon Bois for a walk along the Oak Trail. It had poured down with rain earlier so six was a good turnout.
Leaving Theydon Bois via Forest Drive we started climbing on greasy paths and fields, heading towards the M25. Slightly slippery underfoot but we made good time, some of us envying Val’s poles which were giving her good purchase in the conditions. Through the Great Gregories, across the M25 and down to Ivy Chimneys where the path could have been very difficult if kind residents had not laid planks of wood and paving slabs to aid our progress. Up again through Sheppard’s Meadows heading towards the Epping Road where we turned south alongside the main road to stop at Forest Gate pub. Once again I was disappointed by this pub. We had to buy coffee/tea from a stand in a corner of the car park and it took so long a couple of us gave up waiting, that decision being made easier when hearing colleagues complain about the cost.
We had roared along, covering 2.7 miles in an hour, much faster than recent EFOG walks where (dare I say it) the laggards include my wife. Heading south again we walked through Epping Thicks to Jacks Hill car park. Here, the parking machines had been vandalised and presumably all the cars there were parking for free. I am not condoning this type of action but I do understand the irritation felt about the hamfisted introduction of parking charges by the City of London (COL). Turning left off the Ditches Ride I was complimenting the COL on their waymarking of this route when the markers disappeared, just as we reached the stream. A difficult crossing with two of us getting wet feet and we were over and climbing up to the deer sanctuary. Today the deer were determined to remain hidden so we took a photo of us with a chain link fence behind and walked on. Reaching Coppice Row we turned down the hill and returned to Theydon Bois. The walk is advertised at five miles but we measured it at six.
We were congratulating ourselves on having had a dry walk when the first spots of rain were felt and we dashed to our cars to return home.
Brian U., 6th February 2022
A January Walk in the Lee Valley
On Saturday 22nd January, 2022, eleven EFOG members had a good bracing walk around the some of the lovely paths and lakes of The Lea Valley, organised by Lynne.
We started at the Stubbins Lane Car Park and walked 5 miles towards Waltham Abbey, taking in the odd bird hide and the Lee Valley White Water Centre at Waltham Abbey. We had coffees here, and sat looking at the antics of people learning how to canoe down the rapids (not always successfully).
Thus refreshed, we then walked along the canal back to where we started.
Val., 24th January 2022
Loughton to Theydon Bois walk
A group of 14 of us met at Loughton station on Saturday 25th September and headed into Epping Forest. We walked via The Stubbles, visiting Strawberry Hill Pond and crossing the Epping New Road to continue our route on the green ride by way of the Ups and Downs through to High Beech for lunch break and to admire the view. The weather was cloudy all day, with no sight of the sun, a bit muggy in the morning but comfortable for walking.
Another group member joined us at High Beech, and after lunch we headed out on the grandly named Generals Ride and then the Verderers Ride, making our way to through to Ambresbury Banks before carrying on around the ‘Theydon Loop’ with strangely named places such as The Four Wantz, Wormleyton Pits and Genesis Slade, and then down to Theydon Plain and the final stretch to Theydon Bois station.
A walk of 7.5 miles according to my pedometer counter.
Sue S., 27 Sept. 2021
A Hot Walk in Epping Forest
Eleven of us gathered on a boiling hot 21st July day to walk in Epping Forest.
Starting at the public golf course, we headed towards Connaught Water, picking up Paul K. on the way. Crossing Rangers Road and starting to climb we were surprised to find water running across the surface of the ground. Across Epping Road near the Warren Wood pub we climbed up to Buckhurst Hill cricket ground where we turned north towards the Warren. A descent to Manor Road gave us a chance to recover our breath for the climb to Quist’s Oak where a drink stop was ordered. Down to Nursery Road and The Warren where Brian chose a path that soon became very muddy. This was surprising given the high temperatures we have been experiencing but we were soon past the muddy bits and those in sandals could cheer up. On to Epping Road where we crossed again and started back home. A stop at Grimston’s Oak for a drink and then a long slog in the pitiless sun across Chingford Plain to finish at the Golf Club café where ice cream was the order of the day.
Brian U., 21st July 2021