I am taking part in a sponsored 26 mile walking marathon at the end of this month for the homelessness charity St Mungos with colleagues from work. Most of the recent holiday was spent walking in the Peak district which was good cross training but…Read more…
Merry Christmas 2023
Turkey is in the oven. Picture from our morning walk to work up an appetite.Read more…
Walking along Bournemouth Beach
Last weekend Gill and I were in Bournemouth and the weather Gods were kind to us as we walked from the Pier to Boscombe, then as far as Port Man Ravine, before turning back. A little windy but largely blue skies and sunshine. The surfers were out in fo…Read more…
Metroland Walk – Rickmansworth 6 mile circular by train
Gill and I took the Elizabeth line from Forest Gate then the Metropolitan to Rickmansworth to begin this Chilterns Society Walk. Only 1 hour 20 and as well as being low carbon, was much cheaper and relaxing than driving. A 6 mile circular “easy” w…Read more…
Aythorpe Roding, Woodlard Ash and Hellman’s Cross walk (and the site of the execution of Elizabeth Abbot for witchcraft?)
Gill and I went today for a 5 mile circular walk in North Essex, starting at the ancient church in Aythorpe Roding. There are 8 settlements that take their name from the River Roding, which flows all the way into the Thames and also via Newham.&n…Read more…
Lynn Brenig Walk to the valley of death
Yesterday (Sunday) was very wet in East London, so no local walk. This picture is from a couple of weeks ago, when Gill and I went to sort out some family business in North Wales. We had time for a short but still demanding 2.5 mile walk via Ordi…Read more…
The rural poverty that caused the first bankrupt “Council” & the final home of the Welsh Socialist founder of the NHS, Nye Bevan
Back from a great 6.8 mile circular walk with Gill around Cholesbury Hill fort, Grim Ditch and The Ridgeway, courtesy of the Chilterns Society and Ordnance Survey app. Very quiet and peaceful. Lots of gentle ups and downs with nothing that strenuo…Read more…
Hatfield Forest Walk
Off message but on Sunday Gill and I went for a 6.8 mile circular walk around Hatfield Forest courticy of Ordnance Survey and Country walking magazine. Hatfield Forest is a marvellous ancient estate full of history and the National Trust look after it …Read more…
Country Walking: Kelvedon Hatch, Essex
On Saturday, Gill and I went for a 7.64 mile circular walk starting at Kelvedon Hatch outside the Eagle Pub. Only 40 minutes drive from East London. Courtesy of subscription to OS Maps on line which has selected recommended walks for free provided…Read more…
Danbury, Essex Walk (OS via Country Walking magazine)
Off message but earlier this month Gill and I went for this nice little 7 mile walk in Danbury, Essex. Recommended. Need monthly subscription to OS but the number of free walks you can access means it is well worth it. Ringed by woods and com…Read more…
Country Walking: Albury & Patmore Heath, Hertfordshire Walk
Off message but post on a walk in Hertfordshire near Ware earlier this month. 45 minutes drive from East London (and possible by public transport). Check out description via OS maps app (paid) provided by Country Walking magazine. Very quie…Read more…
Hatfield Heath, Essex Walk
For various reasons I haven’t posted any walks lately. I know some say they enjoy my posts on walking more than the ones on politics or trade unions! To me, my walking or running (very slowly) in the countryside is my “hinterland”. This walk last …Read more…
Country Walking: Harlestone, Northamptonshire walk
On way back from Wales yesterday, Gill and I broke the journey by stopping off for this 4.71 mile circular walk on the OS site (pay wall) via Country Walking magazine. A fantastic walk, we have never been to this part of the world before and were …Read more…
Howe Street & Great Waltham, Essex Country walk
Gill and I went for this lovely 6.5 mile circular walk on Monday in Essex about 1 hour drive from East London. A fairly easy walk at this time of the year since it was pretty flat, cool, sunny and lush. Essex looking at its best and comparatively…Read more…
A (short) Homage to the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage
Last week Gill and I went for a holiday to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. The old town of Santiago is a beautiful medieval city full of history as well as bars and restaurants. It is also the end point of a famous Catholic…Read more…
Hertfordshire Walker: Much Hadam North Loop 16.4.23
I have been a little busy lately with various things but still been on some lovely walks with Gill but not had time to post on them. We did this 6.1 mile circular walk only 40 minutes drive from East London (1 hr 23 by public transport) last…Read more…
Chiltern Society: Gade Valley Nature Walk
Last Saturday, Gill and I broke a journey from North Wales back to London by stopping off for this lovely 4 mile circular walk in the Chilterns. The weather Gods were kind to us and the walk itself was largely quiet and peaceful in beautiful surr…Read more…
Ruthin 10k circular
Off message. Recently Gill and I took time out from family matters for this recent walk in Wales around the ancient hilltop market town of Ruthin, Vale of Clwyd. We found the walk on the Ordnance Survey app. Starting from the town centre going nor…Read more…
Blackmore, Essex – Walk Feb 23
Gill and I went on another Big Essex Skies and Sunshine walk today, starting and finishing in Blackmore. This was a “moderate” 7.41 mile walk only 35 minutes by car from East London (public transport not great but possible). Considerate parking on stre…Read more…
Chiltern Society: Ayot St Lawrence Walk
Yesterday, Gill and I drove to Kimpton in Hertfordshire, to start this “moderate” 6 mile circular walk. The weather was marvellous, cold but with bright sunshine. For a weekend Chilterns walk we hardly saw anyone. Early on we did pass the rather elderl…Read more…