Members Only Walk, seven miles. Hayes, Kent (The Fox Keston) to Petts Wood (One Inn the Wood).

Kent

Join me for an afternoon walk,  near the area I was born to discover the roots of my beer drinking. Bring a torch.   MEMBERS ONLY.   Catch the 12.01 from London Bridge (11. 57 Cannon Street) and arrive at Hayes at 12.38 (trains every 30 mins).  At 12.44 catch the bus 246 from just outside the station, bus stop C, to The Fox, Keston, seven minute journey. There we can lunch,  The Fox Inn - Keston, Kent - Restaurant Reviews, Bookings, Menus, Phone Number, Opening Times (squaremeal.co.uk) if you wish or join 30 mins later for a coffee. Then follow the a long the London loop  london-loop-route-section-three (tfl.gov.uk) although there will be slight variations from this route. There are beautiful woods, mud, country parks, churches, clockhouses, farms, mud,and courts. Finally, we walk past Petts Wood Station (trains about every 15 mins to London Victoria, Bridge and Cannon street, jt about 35 mins) to the One Inn The Wood  Real ale Micropub in Petts Wood (oneinnthewood.co.uk)   Might see someone there, or I shall drink on my own 

Cycle ride: woods, villages, churches, greens, Ingatestone to Harlow 21 Miles

This is an easy cycle ride for those who like quiet roads, woods and open countryside, wide skies and pretty villages.
 
The ride starts at Ingatestone station and finishes at Harlow Mill.  We cycle through Fryerning, Fryerning Wood to the pretty village of Blackmore where we stop for brunch at the 15th Century tea rooms

Then we head off through Norton Heath,Willingdale (where there are two ancient parish churches next door to each other!), Fyfield, Moreton, Loyters Green to Old Harlow and Harlow Mill station where the ride finishes.

The distance is 21 miles with gentle terrain and mainly on quiet country roads and we will be cycling at a relaxed pace (averaging 10 to 10.5 miles per hour

Medway Valley walk

Medway Valley walk – Saturday 29 January

A figure-of-8 from Wateringbury station.

We start by walking along the river bank. After a mile we go through Teston Country Park (coffee kiosk and loos). We cross the river by an old bridge and go past the church at Court Lodge then uphill. After 3 miles we stop for lunch at Farleigh Green. We descend to the church at East Farleigh and re-cross the river by Farleigh Lock. After 5 miles we reach Little Fant Farm (covered refreshment barn selling coffee and a portaloo). We return via East Farleigh along the river bank. After 7 miles we reach Teston Country Park again (coffee kiosk and loos). We re-cross the river by Teston Lock and go uphill again to Tutsham Hall before descending to Wateringbury marina. If we have to wait for the train there is a choice of the Ramblers’ Rest, a traditional café which has loos and plenty of seating outside, or the Horsebox Kiosk which is an artisan bakery with good coffee but limited seating and no loos. Both are open till 4pm.

Length: about 9-10 miles

Grade: very muddy and a possibility of inquisitive cows

Refreshments: bring a packed lunch but plenty of opportunities for a quick takeaway coffee

Travel and meeting details have been sent to members

Bob

WALKING FOR ART LOVERS

Dear Cloggies,

This is a 7.5 mile circular walk from Guildford, visiting the Watts Gallery in the village of Compton, dedicated to the art of the Victorian George Frederic Watts, but which is also featuring a special exhibition entitled ‘Uncommon Power’. This is a selection of paintings by Lucy and Catherine Madox Brown, daughters of the Pre-Raphaelite associate, Ford Madox Brown, although both were talented, professional artists in their own right.

Gallery entrance is by pre-booked ticket from: https://wattsgallery.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/28760?catID=28321&

The basic charge is £13.50, but there are umpteen concessions. I recommend booking for the 14:00 slot (or nearest available). This gives plenty of time in case of rail delays, although the Gallery is relaxed about timed entry.

Watts to be seen:

For your money, you get the following:

1. Entry to the main Gallery with its permanent collection of works by G.F.Watts; in his day the most famous British Artist. This should include the De Morgan Collection of ceramics by William De Morgan and some stunning paintings by his wife, Evelyn.
2. The exhibition ‘Uncommon Power’, as above.
3. A visit to the Watts’s nearby house ‘Limnerslease’, where six rooms are open to the public.

In addition, there is a free exhibition of landscapes by local Surrey artists, and as if that were not enough, nearby, Mary Watts’s amazing Art Nouveau Watts Chapel should also be open.

So, there is lots to see, and there should be plenty of time to see it; if you just come on the walk, you will have a lot of hanging around.

Lunch:

The Gallery Tea Shop is famous for its Welsh Rarebit among other things, but it gets very crowded inside and you will probably end up outside. I have been told that we can use the outside tables to eat our own picnic lunches. (Tables cannot be reserved.) There are toilets.

Itinerary:

From Guildford, we will follow the River Wey south to pick up the North Downs Way to Compton. We will probably visit the chapel first. We shall return along the north side of the Hog’s Back, with wide views over half of Surrey.

Travel:

Catch the 9:02 from Waterloo, arriving Guildford 10:13, where I will meet you. We should return to Guildford about 17:00, and there should be frequent trains back to London, Omicron permitting. I will advise nearer the time of any changes.

Swanage Walking Blues Festival, Dorset

Swanage Dorset

This is a self organising trip, as it has been for the last 14 years.   Hurry, as this is a very popular festival and accommodation might book very QUICKLY.   We often share houses, some go in the hostel, not really any cheaper than sharing accommodation, or there are camping sites.   There has been quite a bit of interest in going this March even though we went in October (I am unlikley to be interested in going again in October).   Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues (swanage-blues.org)   This is about the 14th year we have been to the blues around this beautiful walking area. With some of the best pubs (Square and Compass- No.1 in the country; Scott Arms, No.19; Red Lion, No 90), views, mud, hills, sheep, steam trains, castles (Corfe), coves (Chapmans Pool, Lulworth Cove), Doors (eg Durdle), and quarries around.    So, let us know if you are interested. More information to follow.   This is completely self organising. Walks will be arranged, and meeting points and a whats app link will be sorted.    There are trains to Bournemouth and then Wareham, and regular bus services from both these stations to Swanage. You might also walk from Wareham along the Purbeck Way/Hardy* Way/Priests way which I can thoroughly recommend.    Gavin   *Thomas Hardy of Tooting (Trinity Road) fame, who wrote Far from the Madding Crowd and so on.

Swanage Walking Blues Festival, Dorset

Swanage Dorset

This is a self organising trip, as it has been for the last 14 years.   Hurry, as this is a very popular festival and accommodation might book very QUICKLY.   We often share houses, some go in the hostel, not really any cheaper than sharing accommodation, or there are camping sites.   There has been quite a bit of interest in going this March even though we went in October (I am unlikley to be interested in going again in October).   Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues (swanage-blues.org)   This is about the 14th year we have been to the blues around this beautiful walking area. With some of the best pubs (Square and Compass- No.1 in the country; Scott Arms, No.19; Red Lion, No 90), views, mud, hills, sheep, steam trains, castles (Corfe), coves (Chapmans Pool, Lulworth Cove), Doors (eg Durdle), and quarries around.    So, let us know if you are interested. More information to follow.   This is completely self organising. Walks will be arranged, and meeting points and a whats app link will be sorted.    There are trains to Bournemouth and then Wareham, and regular bus services from both these stations to Swanage. You might also walk from Wareham along the Purbeck Way/Hardy* Way/Priests way which I can thoroughly recommend.    Gavin   *Thomas Hardy of Tooting (Trinity Road) fame, who wrote Far from the Madding Crowd and so on.

Swanage Walking Blues Festival, Dorset

This is a self organising trip, as it has been for the last 14 years.   Hurry, as this is a very popular festival and accommodation might book very QUICKLY.   We often share houses, some go in the hostel, not really any cheaper than sharing accommodation, or there are camping sites.   There has been quite a bit of interest in going this March even though we went in October (I am unlikley to be interested in going again in October).   Welcome to the Big Blues Parties on the South Coast! at Swanage Blues (swanage-blues.org)   This is about the 14th year we have been to the blues around this beautiful walking area. With some of the best pubs (Square and Compass- No.1 in the country; Scott Arms, No.19; Red Lion, No 90), views, mud, hills, sheep, steam trains, castles (Corfe), coves (Chapmans Pool, Lulworth Cove), Doors (eg Durdle), and quarries around.    So, let us know if you are interested. More information to follow.   This is completely self organising. Walks will be arranged, and meeting points and a whats app link will be sorted.    There are trains to Bournemouth and then Wareham, and regular bus services from both these stations to Swanage. You might also walk from Wareham along the Purbeck Way/Hardy* Way/Priests way which I can thoroughly recommend.    Gavin   *Thomas Hardy of Tooting (Trinity Road) fame, who wrote Far from the Madding Crowd and so on.