Pub social with Alps talk and slides

For our February social event we’ve arranged a talk and slides by a speaker who recently completed walking the whole of the GR5 long distance route across the Alps from Geneva to Nice. Come along and be inspired – and perhaps plan your own long distance route!

The venue will be the upstairs room at the Calthorpe Arms, 252 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR (nearest tube Chancery Lane). We’ll be meeting from 7.00pm and the talk will start at around 7.45pm. Current members, new members and prospective members are all welcome.

CANCELLED The Nasty & Ugley Ride

The Nasty & Ugley Ride CANCELLED

Route: 45 Mile circular ride starting from Stanstead Mountfitchet Station, Essex. Mostly along gently rolling country lanes on the Hertfordshire/Essex borders. From Stanstead, to the Hadams, Buntingford and the Pelhams, Clavering, Rickling Green, Manuden and back to Stanstead Mountfitchet.

No one is left behind, however, please ensure you are comfortable with cycling 45 miles. Also, please ensure the following: your bike is in a roadworthy condition, the tyres are fully inflated, you have at least one spare inner-tube, pump and tyre levers, bring lights “just in case” and that you are dressed for the weather on the day.

Date: Sat 22 Feb

Meeting Point: Meet at 9.40 am Stanstead Mountfitchet Station Stratford. If you catch the 8.46 am train from Stratford Station, it should arrive at 9.36. Please email or text me beforehand if you are planning to attend.

Distance:  45 miles

Pace: Moderate speed, approx. 10 - 12 mph

Terrain:  Gently rolling countryside along quiet country lanes on Herts/Essex borders.

Tea Stop: Westmill

Lunch: Fox & Hounds, Clavering

Noresh

From Stratford to the Thames. An afternoon walk . Sat 22

Walking the Bow Back Rivers...The River Lea...Bow Creek..and the River Thames.             A fascinating chunk of docklands.....liquid history. We will stop for refreshments at a cafe in Cody's Dock...a preserved gasworks dock and art centre. Towards the end of the trail we will see two lighthouses...one on land and the other in a ship! A short extension will take us to a 'local' The Hope and Anchor for those who want a drink.                                MEET: Stratford Station at 2.0. Use the main entrance,facing the bus station.                   We will return from East India DLR station. (or continue to the pub and return from All Saints DLR station.                  JOHN CHURCHILL

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve walk

Cheshunt to Broxbourne 10.6 miles

The weather forecast says it will be dry on Sunday so you might wish to

join me on an pleasant, undramatic, breezy flat walk in the Lee Valley

in Hertfordshire.

It is partly along the River Lee itself and in the afternoon along the

Lee Navigation (canal).

You can take the 10.23 from Liverpool Street or get on at Tottenham Hale

at 10.40. The train arrives at Cheshunt at 10.48.

Lunch will be at Waltham Abbey and I will fix a rendezvous point from

where we will continue the walk after an hour. There are lots of pubs in

Waltham Abbey which do food but they look rather small and it might be

best to spread ourselves out if there are a lot of us. They all seem to

be McMullen pubs so good beer. Ash please note.

The afternoon stretch is longer at about 6 miles and we finish up in

Broxbourne marina where we might have tea, depending on demand.

Hammersmith to Richmond.

Dear All

I shall be leading a 8 mile walk from Hammersmith to Richmond along the Thames towpath. We shall meet up at 11.30 in front of Costa Coffee at Hammersmith Bus Station. Please wear appropriate clothing as the paths can get muddy. Pub lunch in Mortlake. Love Anna

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

easy walk circumnavigating the Isle of Dogs

5 mile approx, flat ,non muddy walk starting at Canning town (jubilee line /DLR). meet at west exit (riverside). afternoon coffe pub stop . and possible meal at the end of walk which is at Canary Wharf     Tony mob 0781818 7773

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Andalucia greenways cycle trip

See emails sent to members

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t7qtqxKdCc

Swanage Walking Blues Weekend Fri 6 til Monday 9th

Swanage, Dorset

Just a reminder of the annual, now in its 14th clog year, give or take, of our treck down to Swanage for the Blues in March.

It is completely self organising. You book your own transport, and accommodation. However, it can be as cheap as just over £20 per person to book a whole house in Swanny if co-ordinated well (try Wyke Cottages, or usual sites).

Most will come down on Friday 6th, and stay for a day or two or three. A number, including me are staying til Monday. You can come down on the Thursday, of course, however there might not be anyone else you know.  

For information on the event:   Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues     Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues. Please buy a wrist band as the money keeps the event going.

Of course as is well known the best pub in the country is nearby in Worth Matravers where we always go to on one of the walks. Often there is s cycling group, and you can just chill if you need a less energetic weekend.

  This is completely self organising, all you need to do is to turn up. Last count there are abour 15 people who have booked accommodation.

  We will have a whats app group (email me) to co-ordinate lifts, meals, walks and gigs, however reception in Swanage is not the best for texts or wifi.   Gavin  

Swanage Walking Blues Weekend Fri 6 til Monday 9th

Swanage, Dorset

Just a reminder of the annual, now in its 14th clog year, give or take, of our treck down to Swanage for the Blues in March.

It is completely self organising. You book your own transport, and accommodation. However, it can be as cheap as just over £20 per person to book a whole house in Swanny if co-ordinated well (try Wyke Cottages, or usual sites).

Most will come down on Friday 6th, and stay for a day or two or three. A number, including me are staying til Monday. You can come down on the Thursday, of course, however there might not be anyone else you know.  

For information on the event:   Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues     Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues. Please buy a wrist band as the money keeps the event going.

Of course as is well known the best pub in the country is nearby in Worth Matravers where we always go to on one of the walks. Often there is s cycling group, and you can just chill if you need a less energetic weekend.

  This is completely self organising, all you need to do is to turn up. Last count there are abour 15 people who have booked accommodation.

  We will have a whats app group (email me) to co-ordinate lifts, meals, walks and gigs, however reception in Swanage is not the best for texts or wifi.   Gavin  

Swanage Walking Blues Weekend Fri 6 til Monday 9th

Swanage, Dorset

Just a reminder of the annual, now in its 14th clog year, give or take, of our treck down to Swanage for the Blues in March.

It is completely self organising. You book your own transport, and accommodation. However, it can be as cheap as just over £20 per person to book a whole house in Swanny if co-ordinated well (try Wyke Cottages, or usual sites).

Most will come down on Friday 6th, and stay for a day or two or three. A number, including me are staying til Monday. You can come down on the Thursday, of course, however there might not be anyone else you know.  

For information on the event:   Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues     Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues. Please buy a wrist band as the money keeps the event going.

Of course as is well known the best pub in the country is nearby in Worth Matravers where we always go to on one of the walks. Often there is s cycling group, and you can just chill if you need a less energetic weekend.

  This is completely self organising, all you need to do is to turn up. Last count there are abour 15 people who have booked accommodation.

  We will have a whats app group (email me) to co-ordinate lifts, meals, walks and gigs, however reception in Swanage is not the best for texts or wifi.   Gavin  

Saturday 14th March - London Loop Catch up Stage 10 Moor Park to Elstree 12 miles

On Saturday 14th March, I'll be leading Section 10 of the London Loop, Uxbridge Lock to Moor Park. (Sections 14 and 15 on Tfl.)  This is the last section I will be leading, as I will then have 'caught up,' and finished the whole route.      Meet at the ticket barrier inside Moor Park Station (Metropolitan Line) at 10 am.      Bring a packed lunch. Hopefully we will have a stop or two for liquid refreshments.   This walk takes us through woodland and farmland, so I would expect mud, unless it's been very dry in the weeks before the walk.    https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/moor-park-to-hatch-end https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/hatch-end-to-elstree
Sue Sinton Smith   

New Members Evening

Please join us at our new members’ social evening on Friday 20^th March, whether you are an existing member, prospective member or just want to find out more about CLOG. The evening will start from 7.30pm and food & drink with a Mediterranean theme will be provided. If you are new to CLOG the evening will be a great place to find out about our programme and activities and speak to existing members.

Venue: The Upper Hall, St George’s Church on Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2HR just a few minutes’ walk from Holborn tube station. Please note that access to the hall is behind the church at 6-7 Little Russell Street – go into the courtyard at the rear of the church and up steps on the right (step free access is available if needed).

Puglia Cycle trip

Can-Can walk (Canterbury Canter). Stage 1. Strood to Aylesford

Puglia Cycle trip

Puglia Cycle trip

Puglia Cycle trip

Puglia Cycle trip

Puglia Cycle trip

Puglia Cycle trip

Puglia Cycle trip

South Downs and Devil's Dyke walk, 10 miles

This challenging 10-mile walk from Hassocks to Upper Beeding includes several steep climbs and descents, rewarded by spectacular views from hilltops and of the dramatic valley Devil’s Dyke. It finishes with a 15-minute bus ride to Shoreham-by-Sea for the train back to London. When we pre-walked it there was a lot of mud after protracted rain so it will be subject to a weather check – to be confirmed one week before.

The route: from Hassocks we head towards the South Downs: over fields, through woods and up and down slopes covered with chalk grassland. We climb Wolstonbury Hill, enjoying 360-degree views from the summit, which is surrounded by earth ramparts dating back to the Bronze Age. At Devil’s Dyke the route takes us all the way along one edge of this deep V-shaped valley. At its head is the Devil’s Dyke pub, where we can drink in the view during a lunch stop. In the afternoon we head across the open downland of Fulking Escarpment, up and down Edburton Hill and Truleigh Hill, although with fewer steep climbs than in the morning. There are more great views of the surrounding countryside, and the sea on a clear day. Finally we drop down into the village of Upper Beeding, for a possible pub stop before catching the bus to Shoreham-by-Sea.

Getting there: meet at Hassocks station at 10.52am, taking the 9.55 train from Victoria, which also stops at Clapham Junction (10.02) and East Croydon (10.11). Buy a return to Shoreham-by-Sea (not Shoreham in Kent). For the bus fare, railcard holders may save a little by buying a PlusBus ticket (£2.45), which must be purchased with your train ticket. Otherwise you can buy a ticket on the bus (probably £2.70). We aim to catch the 17.27 bus, followed by the 18.05 train from Shoreham-by-Sea.

Food and drink: the Devil’s Dyke pub serves roasts, burgers, other main meals and starters, but apparently no sandwiches on a Sunday. It’s a large pub but can get very busy, so a packed lunch is recommended. At the end of the walk the Rising Sun pub in Upper Beeding may be a good place to spend time while waiting for the bus.

Terrain: hilly throughout, with several steep ascents and descents (good training for the Easter Lake District trip). Mix of chalk tracks, fields and woodland paths, some of which get very muddy after heavy rain.

Katharine and Alison

Puglia Cycle trip

ANDOVER AND WHERWELL

ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE

I last led this 10.5 mile circular walk from Andover in 2011, so I thought it was time for a repeat. There will be the following attractions.

• The market town of Andover, with a fine church but a place in history it would rather not have.
• The rolling Hampshire countryside.
• Harewood Forest, with possible bluebells.
• The gorgeous, chocolate-box village of Wherwell on the River Test, with many thatched cottages.
• Lunch at the White Lion in Wherwell, 13:15 - 14:30 (light bites from £5.95, mains from £9.95, or bring your own).
• Stories of murder committed by a Saxon king and his queen.
• The River Anton, with more pretty villages.

Catch the 9:20 from Waterloo, arriving Andover 10:23 (I intend joining the train at Woking). Return trains are two per hour. We should catch the 17:38, arriving Waterloo 18:49.

Day walk:Hanwell to Putney

Wednesday 8^th April – Hanwell to Putney - 10 miles, with several drop out points where we pass bus routes or stations. 

From Hanwell station we’ll walk through a corner of the Bunny Park and southwards along the river Brent to join the Grand Union Canal at Hanwell flight – a series of locks from Boston Manor to the “Top Lock” towards Southall. We’ll follow the canal down to where it joins the Thames at Brentford.  It’s then a straightforward route along the Thames path , perhaps switching between the south bank and the north bank to reach Putney Bridge.

Lunch stop at Kew Green after about 5 miles. Bring a picnic lunch and we can pop into the Cricketers for refreshments.

Trains to Hanwell (zone 4) are from Paddington mainline or Ealing Broadway (District and Central lines). 

Meet at Hanwell station south exit at 9.46. If you’re coming from Paddington direction, turn right at the bottom of the stairs.  Recommended train from Paddington is the 9.32 calling at Ealing Broadway (9.41) and getting to Hanwell at 9.46.

Walk ends at Putney , with a mainline station with frequent trains towards Waterloo and Putney Bridge tube (District line).   Helen R

South Wales Coast and Valleys Easter cycling trip

See email sent to members for details

Lake District Elterwater Trip

See email sent to members

South Wales Coast and Valleys Easter cycling trip

See email sent to members for details

Lake District Elterwater Trip

See email sent to members

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 1: Southwark to Bostall Woods

 Friday 10^th April –  Southwark to Bostall Woods - 10 miles.

Setting off on the first stage of the Pilgrims Way from Southwark.

Very much an urban walk as we initially follow the original Watling Street out of London, which Chaucer’s Pilgrims would have followed.  So, past the George Inn to follow Tabard Street towards the Thomas a Becket pub, the former limit of London’s “liberty”. Then some greener stretches through Greenwich, Deptford, Blackheath, Shooter’s Hill and the Green Chain walk to Bostall Woods.

Lunch stop on Blackheath . Bring a picnic lunch and we’ll find somewhere nearby to pop into for refreshments.

Possible drop out points are New Cross, Deptford Bridge,  Blackheath, or Welling stations.

Today’s walk ends at  Abbey Wood  station, with trains to Charing Cross, Cannon Street or Blackfriars.

Meet: As I get lost every time I end up at London Bridge station with its many busy exits, please cross the road to Southwark cathedral and we’ll meet outside the main door (south side of the cathedral) at  10am.

South Wales Coast and Valleys Easter cycling trip

See email sent to members for details

Lake District Elterwater Trip

See email sent to members

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 2: Bostall Woods to Dartford

Saturday 11^th April –   Bostall Woods to Dartford- 10 miles.

Setting off on the second stage of the Pilgrims Way .

We rejoin the route at Lesnes Abbey Woods and  start by exploring the ruins of  C12th Lesnes Abbey.

We then follow the Green Chain walk to Erith, with a couple of miles along the riverfront before we turn south to follow the river Darent to Dartford.

(Possible drop out point at Erith station)

Our lunch stop will be at Erith, where pilgrims from East Anglia and the North used to cross the river.  Bring a picnic lunch and we’ll find somewhere nearby to pop into for refreshments.

Today’s walk ends at  Dartford station, (zone 8)  with frequent trains to Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Blackfriars or Victoria.

 Meet outside the main exit of   Abbey Wood (zone 4) station at 9.50 am

The suggested train is from Charing Cross mainline station. It leaves at 9.09, calling at Waterloo East (9.12 ) and London Bridge ( 9.18) , reaching Abbey Wood station at 9.49 (final destination Dartford).

There’s also the 9.11 from Blackfriars (London Bridge 9.18) that gets to Abbey Wood at 9.46 (final destination Rainham).

South Wales Coast and Valleys Easter cycling trip

See email sent to members for details

Lake District Elterwater Trip

See email sent to members

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 3: Dartford to Otford

Easter Day, Sunday 12^th April – Dartford to Otford,   11 ½  miles.

Setting off on the third stage of the Pilgrims Way, today we follow the Darenth valley from Dartford to Otford. A classic walking area that many of you will know well.    (Possible drop out points at Eynsford or Shoreham stations). 

Our lunch stop will be at the village of Farningham.

Please bring a picnic lunch and there’s a choice of pubs to pop into for refreshments.

 Today’s walk ends at  Otford station with about 5 trains an hour to Blackfriars or Victoria. 

Meet outside the main exit of Dartford station, ( zone 8)  at 9.54 am

The suggested train is from Victoria mainline station. It leaves at 9.04, reaching Dartford  station at 9.54.

There’s also the faster 9.18 from London Bridge that gets to Dartford  at 9.57, which we’ll wait for (final destination Gravesend).

South Wales Coast and Valleys Easter cycling trip

See email sent to members for details

Lake District Elterwater Trip

See email sent to members

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 4: Otford to Snodland

Bank Holiday Monday 13^th April –  Otford to Snodland, 13  miles.

Setting off on my fourth stage of the Pilgrims Way, today we follow the line of the North Downs from Otford to Snodland, sometimes at the foot of the Downs, sometimes along the top (North Downs Way).    A longer day and the last stage before we cross the Medway.

Our lunch stop will be in Wrotham village.  Please bring a picnic lunch and there’s a pub to pop into for refreshments. (There’s a possible drop out point here, but it would involve a 1 ½ mile walk to Borough Green& Wrotham station, with a bus that may /may not run on a Bank Holiday.)

Meet outside the main exit of Otford station at 9.30 am

The suggested train is from Victoria mainline station. It leaves at 8.55, calling at Bromley South at 9.12, reaching Otford station at 9.30.

Today’s walk ends at  Snodland station with about 2 trains an hour (changing at Strood) to St Pancras International. Also changing at Strood and Rochester to get to Victoria.

South Wales Coast and Valleys Easter cycling trip

See email sent to members for details

Lake District Elterwater Trip

See email sent to members

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 5: Snodland to Hollingbourne

Tuesday 14^th April –  Snodland to Hollingbourne, 12 miles.

Setting off on my fifth stage of the Pilgrims Way,  we continue to follow the line of the North Downs, sometimes at the foot of the Downs, sometimes along the top (North Downs Way).

We’ll make a short detour to explore Kits Coty House - long barrows constructed during the early Neolithic period and offering fantastic views.

We pass through the village of Boxley and our lunch stop will be at Detling village.

Please bring a picnic lunch and there’s a pub to pop into for refreshments. (There’s a possible drop out point here if you walk about  1 ½ miles south to Bearsted station.)

Today’s walk ends at  Hollingbourne station with about 2 trains an hour direct to Victoria, also to St Pancras International via Ashford international.

Meet outside the main exit of Snodland station at 10.15 am

The suggested train is the HS train from St Pancras International to Strood leaving at 9.25 ( calling at Stratford international 9.32 ), change at Strood for the 10.04 to Snodland, getting in at 10.15.

Slower trains  from other London mainline stations don’t seem to be coming up for this date, so I’ll check nearer the time.

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 6: Hollingbourne to Charing

Wednesday 15^th April –   Hollingbourne to Charing, 10 miles.

Setting off on my sixth stage of the Pilgrims Way,  we continue to follow the top of the North Downs, all of today’s section being along the North Downs Way.

We pass above the village of Harrietsham and our lunch stop will be at Lenham village.

Please bring a picnic lunch and there’s a pub or tea room (tbc) to pop into for refreshments.

The railway follows the line of the North Downs at some points, so you could drop down to  Harrietsham ( 3 miles)  or Lenham ( after 5 miles ) stations, if you need to drop out .

Meet at the main exit of Hollingbourne station at 10.30 am.

The suggested train is the 9.25 train from  London Victoria mainline, calling at Bromley South at 9.42, reaching Hollingbourne at 10.31 (final destination Canterbury West).

Today’s walk ends at Charing station on the same line.

Trains are hourly, but you can explore the large village of Charing with its medieval houses and Palace, a key staging post over the centuries.

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 7: Charing to Chilham

Thursday 16^th April –  Charing to Chilham, 11 miles

My seventh stage of the Pilgrims Way.  Following the line of the North Downs in the morning, then turning NE to where the NDW forks at Boughton Lees, then we follow the Stour valley branch.  We walk past Godmersham Park with its Jane Austen links. If you’d like to know what it looks like, it’s on your £10 note...

 (If you need to drop out early, after 6 miles you could follow the other branch of the NDW, dropping down just over a mile to Wye station.)

 Our lunch stop will be at Boughton Lees after about 5 ½ miles.  Please bring a picnic lunch and there’s a pub  to pop into for refreshments.

 Meet at the main exit of Charing station at 10.43 am.

The suggested train is the 9.25 train from  London Victoria mainline, calling at Bromley South at 9.42, reaching Charing at 10.43 (final destination Canterbury West).

Today’s walk ends at the pretty village of Chilham.  Trains are hourly, to Victoria or St Pancras International, or you can explore Chilham, with pubs in the village centre and near the station.

Day walk- Pilgrims Way 8: Chilham to Canterbury

Friday 17^th April –  Chilham to Canterbury, 7 ½  miles

The final stage of the Pilgrims Way.  We retrace our steps for 10 minutes to the pretty village square, to rejoin the Pilgrims Way. Later we cross Chartham Hatch to reach Harbledown with our first views of Canterbury Cathedral. Once in the centre of Canterbury, we’ll have time to explore or find a tea shop.

 Our lunch stop will be at Chartham Hatch, about half way.  Please bring a picnic lunch and there’s a pub  to pop into for refreshments.

Meet at the main exit of Chilham station at 11.15 am.

Get the 9.25 train from London Victoria mainline to Chilham ( final destination Canterbury West), calling at  Bromley South at 9.42, Ashford international at 11.05  and reaching Chilham at 11.17 am.

There’s also the HS train from London St Pancras at 10.09, changing at Ashford international to join the 11.05 to Chilham

You can also get there by taking the 9.10 from Victoria to Canterbury East (10.39), walking to Canterbury West station to get the 11.05 to Chilham , reaching there at 11.13.

Return trains could be from Canterbury East or Canterbury West stations.

Can-Can walk (Canterbury Canter). Stage 2. Maidstone to Bearsted via Aylesford