A short London Walk

On Bank Holiday Saturday 13 boggies jumped on a train in Luton and met one of our members friends at St. Pancras, then hopped on the tube to Paddington where we walked down to the Regents Canal. (There are still 10 members enjoying the Lake District, photos when they return)

Here we are enjoying John Betjemen's company at St. Pancras.

We were rather taken by this solid gentleman and his friend next to the canal.

We were just walking along the Canal minding our own business, honest officer!

The wildfowl reserve next to Regents Canal Basin. An amazing number of varied sizes and shapes of ducks were to be seen as we ate our lunch.

Little Venice, an colourful peaceful spot in Central London.


Queen Mary's Gardens, part of Regents Park, a beautiful spot.

We found a really good cafe in a floating canal barge next to the bridge.

Regents Canal Basin

The top of Primrose Hill, thinking of the walkers in Cumbria who probably wouldn't have realised they has walked up a hill, except for the views of London.

From the hill we could see St. Paul's, the Post Office Tower , Peter Snow Avery, and the London Eye, worth getting a little breathless for.

The sun was shining, lots to look and and plenty of people to chat to.

Regents Canal Basin where you can get boat rides along the Canal.

We were just wondering what it costs to have a house like this overlooking the canal.

A nice gentle meander which although not our usual sort of walk, could have been anywhere, it was very hard to believe it was central London
,

Spring weekend end of March

16 of us met at Priory jumped into 4 cars and drove to Lilley for a short scenic walk. 2 other members met us there. Bit grey and a few showers but a good walk with a welcoming real ale pub at the end of it. Luckily Don knew the carpark mentioned in the walk guide was no longer in use so we agreed to meet at the Silver Lion, which no longer exists as a pub! However as this is a small village and we had an OS map (definitely worth having even if the walk details on the leaflet look simple) and everyone managed to find their way to the start within a few minutes!

We eventually all decided we needed to put on our waterproofs, just so that the sun could decide to come out again.

An interesting chalk downland embankment

Enjoying the ambience of the Lilley Arms.

Sunday, however some of us only just managed to realise the digital alarm didn't go off early, it really was time to get up due to the clocks being changed. Others of us didn't manage to read the programme properly and turned up at the wrong place! However 13 people did manage to turn up at the correct place and time and do a good day walk.

A SOCIAL

On Monday 15th February we had a meal at Rushi in Woodside (used to be the Harrow). 18 people attended and everyone said what a good time they had and the food was excellent and the staff friendly and helpful. We try and have at least one social a month, usually involving food or drink, or very often both!

MIDWEEK SHORT WALK 10 FEBRUARY 2010

By popular demand we have now started doing short midweek walks as well as the weekend ones. This had 10 walkers and was a Wednesday walk led by Mike Elliott along the Nickey Line. If you are interested in the line there is a lot of info on the net. one link is www.nickeyline.org/nickey_line_history.htm.




Most of the group caught the bus from Dunstable to Redbourn, but some of us drove there (if you speak to the leader and ask for details they will usually tell you if this is feasible). Then most of us went to the little cafe for refreshments.



This is us warmly wrapped up. However it was not that cold even if we did get a few snow flurries.



A typical tea break (although often we find a cafe or pub)

Here we are walking along what is a nice secluded old railway line.

This is the memorial in Gade Bridge park. The little garden is dedicted to "all those babies we have in our hearts".

Us going up the hill in Old Hemel (we resisted the temption to partake of the coffee). Most of the group did a 4-5 mile walk and caught the bus back to Redbourn. Some of then decided to walk back via Piccots End across the fields. The sun shone most of the way but there was a keen wind, but an attractive walk which totalled about 10 miles in all.

Redbourn St. Mary's Church, on West Common dates back to 1100 and is well worth a look inside.

A view on West Common, Redbourn

As you can see, there is no point being put off because it is "winter". It was warm enough to sit in the park to eat our sandwiches (or some found a cafe or pub in Hemel). If you fancy joining us just turn up at the appointed time or place, or if you wish ring up the walk leader (or one of our contact Nos. or use the enquiries link) we will try to give you any information you need, i.e. the difficulty, for example hills, stiles, ploughed fields etc, and will let you know more about the walk. It is also advisable to ask whether it is dog friendly. Children are welcome provided they accompanied. If you want to deviate from the organised walk please ask whether the buses, transport, timings, direction of the walk etc. will allow this. We look forward to seeing even more new faces!

WEEK END IN FEBRUARY

Sorry no pics, no one took a camera today. Just an update.

On Saturday 6th Feb, 8 people went on a circular walk led by Mervyn which was different and a bit shorter than the publised one due to the muddy conditions. It went from Old Linslade along the canal past the Three Locks included a pub lunch and was about 8 miles long.

Again on Sunday another 13 people walked from the car park in Woburn on a 5 mile walk. It started off a bit misty and it was a fairly grey day (typical February), but it was reasonably mild, the countryside was attractive, as usual the company was good and everyone said they enjoyed themselves (including another new face). Once again the walk was adjusted by Dave our leader due to the suspicion of very difficult walking through muddy ploughed fields - we all decided better safe than sorry!

On writing this, there are also 18 walkers in Sherwood Forest on a Bogtrotters weekend away, who have also reported a good hostel, varied walking, plenty of camarderie, and great eating places! Not bad if you do the maths, even with 3 of the Saturday walkers also out on Sunday we had 33 different people out walking with the club over the 2 days!

A MIDWEEK MEANDER JANUARY 2010

OK so the snow has gone and Roger took 8 of us on one of the typical bus orientated meanders. The bus took us to Toddington where there is a guaranteed connection, so hopped off one and on to the next to get to Harlington.

This is a view looking back at Steppingly village with its church in the distance.

This just outside the very obliging Indian restaurant/pub in Steppingly before walking on. It was warm enough to sit outside, get served with drinks and some of us ate our lunch there.

Here we are being met by a crowd of very curious cows.

Not sure what breed they are, but look a bit like a hybred with an alpaca and a sheep!

This is us walking towards Flitwick reservoir. Who'd believe it is still January?

The path leading to Ampthill Park.

Walking back through Ampthill to catch the bus back to Toddington, and the connection to Dunstable.

A good varied walk, not very muddy, pub stop, coffee stops and back for 4.30. This is a midweek meander usually a minum of 8 miles, sometimes as much as 12. However Mike is also doing midweek short walks, so if you are about, how about trying one??

Bogtrotting in the Snow

On the weekend of 9th/10th January we ran 2 walks. It was cold and had been snowing for the past 2 weeks. However on Saturday 10 hardy walkers turned out to do a different walk from the one advertised due to the adverse conditions. On the Sunday 12 of us made our way to Aldbury for a short circular walk via Ashridge. It was not sunny, but we did not get snowed on and we were properly attired. Indeed walking up to Ashridge was pretty warm going!


This house in Aldbury looked very seasonal.


Here we are setting off (on the left is the pond).

We stopped at the top of this hill to cool off and have a cuppa.


The sheep didn't seem to mind the snow too much.

This is a view of Aldbury from the footpath.

Some of the Group making our way up a small incline.

Ashridge House is at the end of the long drive down from the Monument.

The Ashridge Tea Shop was doing a roaring trade. There were walkers, dog walkers, sledgers and families just enjoying the snow. Better than turning over and snuggling into the duvet (some of the group admitted we had given in to the temptation on the Saturday though, to be told we missed a beautiful sunny walk!)