Saturday, November 12th

It's been a really hectic week so I'm taking the easy way out and our walk this month is one that we've done many times before but it's one people tell me they like and to give it a little twist I've decided we'll do it back to front.

So 4 of us met at 9.00 at S Woodford, we picked Geraldine up on route at Leytonstone and the other 4 in Paddington at 10.00 and off we went. Nicola, another of the Athena Angels joined us, the East End Girls are expanding again.

 It may not be the prettiest place to walk at the beginning but I do love the urban feel to this bit and the fact that amongst the concrete are these lovely canal boats that add colour and so much character.

There's a lot of development going on round here so perhaps it ill start to look better. Shops and restaurants have already been added and I remember sitting in the sunshine earlier on this year enjoying lunch and a glass of wine before turning round and walking back the way we'd come.

Vanessa, Teresa, Chris and Kathy probably hearing about Kathy's trip Stateside.

Most of them can't resist a man and this one is probably less trouble than some others of the species. Clearly Nic isn't at all bothered.

 Can you see the look on Teresa's face? In all seriousness, I love these sculptures and what they add.

They are by the British Sculptor Sean Henry and are aptly called Standing Man and Walking Man. Apparently, Henry works from life, photographs and his own drawings, then he creates each sculpture in clay before it is cast in bronze and individually painted by him.

Teresa clearly likes them too!! No, you can't take him home.

Nicola walks past the boat cafe which we have stopped at before but coffee clearly wasn't on the agenda yet. After all we'd already bypassed Starbucks, well it's not Costa.

Round the basin and out the other side and along by the berths of numerous house boats and up onto the street as the canal goes under ground for a short while.

Sometimes sections seem longer than others and on Saturday it seemed no time at all before we were walking along by the grand houses before walking on the section through Regent's Park. We were spotting the birds in the aviary as we passed and admiring the autumnal colours of the trees as we roasted in 16 degrees. Aren't these gorgeous?

I think there's something about the dryer and warnmer weather that allows the colours to be stronger and more vivid. Is this why New England has such great falls?

As we walked further I could see something in the water ahead but as we got nearer a canal boat passed at the same time obscuring our view. I was determined to see what it was though so I engineered a stop only to discover a sinking boat kept afloat mainly because of the tape securing it to the bank. What a shame and I wonder what happened?

Soon Camden came into view, always a good place to stop although we were a bit early for lunch today so coffee instead. W managed to find space for all of us round a couple of tables, I was able to pay Geraldine back and doesn't she look pleased? Think it was the coffee more than the money actually.

Saturday in Camden is less busy so more room to look round although it does cost a ridiculous 40p to go to the loo!

As we waited to get everyone together again, a few of us were looking at the Holiday in Express and questioning how long it had been there. None of us could remember seeing it before, No matter when it appeared, it looks good though reflected in the canal and with colourful paintwork. Not a bad place to stay.

We often comment on the ever changing face of the Thames and the developments we've seen in all the time we've been walking. Today we realised that the canal was similar as we saw more flats being built and recognised that some wasteland probably wouldn't remain like that for much longer. As we neared the back of Kings Cross and St Pancras we were amazed at what's going on there. It's starting to open up where before there was lots of hoarding. Photos show shops, restaurants and lots of open space on what is 67 acres of development to the north of the stations. 

Lunch was a later affair when we got to Islington. The place was busy so after a bit of extra walking and some studying of menus, we opted for Cuba Libra. Needed to walk it all of after especially those who'd had bagettes. Teresa and I had opted for the tapas which was lighter and by choosing 4 different dishes each we managed to have 8 different samples.

I love the stretch from Islington to Mile End, also ever changing and Geraldine, Vanessa and Kathy opted out here leaving the rest of us a fairly quick walk on to Limehouse basin and along to Belgique where we had excellent service and a coffee to round off the day.

We also sorted out our plans for December's walk ...but you'll just have to wait.

walk back to Mile End or Canary Wharf depending how people are feeling. Plenty of places to have coffee and lunch which might be in Camden or in Islington.

October EEG walk

 I spent absolutely ages planning the walk for October as I felt it was time I offered some new walks, ones that we haven't done before.

No-one has asked for these or even complained about past walks, it's all me. In fact my East End Girls often tell me that they're so busy chatting that sometimes they're not that aware of where they walk anyhow. Is that good...or bad?

Pouring over the map, I managed to piece together a 10 mile route which took in bits from many walks, some only ever covered once and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself until I discovered that due to engineering works, I couldn't get back from Tottenham Hale!! Back to the drawing board.

I took elements of my planned walk, paid more attention to what tube lines were running and designed Mile End to the O2....And that's the reason that our first photo shows the North bank of the Thames as we approach the foot tunnel at Island Gardens that will take us over to Greenwich.


Teresa was going to be late to join us so we elected to walk to Canary Wharf and have coffee at Belgique on the riverside and timing should be right for Teresa to catch us up, which it was. Coffee and loo stops taken care of and onto Greenwich. Fabulous 'heather weather' - boy was I glad I'd put on a short sleeved top.

This photo was taken purposely as it was on this very spot 5 years before that the East End Girls team gathered to have ice cream and look over towards Greenwich Park where we would cross the finish line and complete our 38 mile walk. What memories.

Those memories continued, through the tunnel......

and then into M&S where we bought lunch. Five years ago it was champagne and nibbles that we were buying so that we could celebrate our success and in fact there was so much champagne brough by Nicola's dad and Alan that we were all a bit tiddly towards the end.

This time we took the very steep route and passed on through the park to go across Blackheath where near one of the many ponds, we found benches just right for lunch.

Geraldine and Marina

Lindsey and Cajsa

Teresa and Sharon

Mary, Barb and Chris

Now we have new members, Sharon having joined us a couple of walks ago and Mary being one of the Athena Angels who's discovered her walking passion.

Fabulous views from Greenwich park on the way back down, this time minus Teresa who had to leave and go and see her son on stage at the Globe. Honestly, I don't know, these par time walkers - arrive late and leave early but make sure they get lunch.

It was good to look over at the Dome as this is where we're finishing up and it doesn't look far from here, it's a bit misleading though due to how the river flows round.

We made our way down the other side of the park enjoying the views and then onto the river bank but sadly we weren't able to be there long due to the path being blocked off because of ongoing work. More water front properties no doubt, just hope they leave a path for us walkers.

This was rather frustrating as we ended up walking the streets more than we'd hoped and even when we did get towards the O2 it was still the roads we were on.

So the best laid plans go astray but on the whole it was another great day's walking and there was a Costa at the end so we relaxed in the sun, enjoyed our favourite coffee and slowly wended our way home to stretches, legs up against the wall and a lovely deep bath.

Time to go home.

As our flight back to the Uk wasn't till 15.40, we had time to relax and get all our stuff together. Not sure anyone wanted to leave, until you start journeying of course and then you just want to be there.

After a late and leisurely breakfast, bags were packed and people gathered to read or chat and then to have coffee in the orchard.

Gemma and I try out the play equipment

Mark and Janice drove us to Lyon and then we grabbed some food before the flight back where we were entertained by the X Factor wannabe on the Easyjet flight crew, very entertaining.

Great trip and if you fancy Les Cersiers yourself, then there are two sites you should look at -

http://www.cherrytrees.fr/ - which is the house itself which you can rent out or

http://www.thereallybigdreamcompany.com - which tells you about the courses that are run.

Last full day

The start wasn't just as early today as the plan was to have a yoga class run by Alexia and then to have breakfast afterwards followed by relaxation, a short walk and massages for most people before finishing the day with dinner out.

As we stood out on the steps taking in the air, Kathy threatened to throw water down as she had been planning on a long lie - don't think she was annoyed though, she looks too happy. Rather like Janice's frogs dotted around the garden.

....and the beautiful geraniums in pots places round the courtyard and by the pool.

Teresa, Marina and Geraldine before yoga class.

An hour of stretching later and then a leisurely breakfast found me having been scheduled for a massage and able to lead a short walk for those who fancied stretching their legs.

We thought we might have made it to the Arboretum today but no luck, it was just a little further than we'd time for so we returned for a staggered lunch and appointments for massages. More swimming, more lounging in the sunshine and I finally found out what everyone else had been going on about. Not only is Alexia a great yoga teacher but her massages are the best I have ever had!

Today it was cocktails by the pool as it was our last day

Paula relaxes and soaks up the sun

Gemma swims

Our venue for dinner was the Auberge du Lac in Chandon near Trivy, we'd walked close to this only the day before and it was looking really pretty with it's window boxes and tubs of red and pink geraniums.

The Auberge Du Lac is converted from the old railway houses. It's been run by the same family for over one hundred years and serves very traditional French food and rustic wine in unlabeled bottles.

Don't Janice and Mark scrub up well?

 A few photos of the evening:

 I love this photo of Paula and Marina, they look so naughty!

Back at home and Janice and Mark donated two bottles of Roger Bonjour's sparkling wine to us. We'd been sampling Roger's wine all week but hadn't been able to have him come and do a tasting as the harvest had been early due to the weather and he was tied up with that.

Here's Mark bringing the refreshment and he and Janice stayed and had a drink with us. We were also able to tell them that there was no need for an early breakfast the following morning as it was our last morning - a long lie before we head home.

I knew our time away would be great but this time in Les Ceresiers exceeded my expectations totally. It was so easy and so relaxing and everyone got on so well...and yes, you're right, they all want to know when we're having the next East End Girls holiday away!

Long walks or short walks

The weather wasn't as good today and in fact the top of Mont Sant Cyr could not be seen and apparently if that happens, local folklore says you shouldn't go out. Well, we were only there for a few days so there was going to be no sitting and waiting.

After Geraldine's fall, she was a little stiff and as Kathy had done around 9 miles which was her first long walk since her broken knee had mended I advised that they have an easier day and Marina and Chris decided to join them. Janice had mentioned a coffee shop in Dompierre so they decided to walk there, have coffee and walk back. Meanwhile, Teresa, Paula, Gemma, Lindsey and I decided to venture further afield and planned a day long walk.

Leaving Les Ceresiers, we turned right and then a few yards down the road took another right up a track which leads up behind the house climbing slightly in the trees. It was a little drizzly but not unpleasant and soon we came onto the GR7 one of France's long distance walks. At one point the path we were on runs parallel with the D41, the main road to Dompierre so we were delighted to hear and then meet up with the others for at least 10 yards then we parted company again probably wishing we were heading for coffee too.

Soon however the drizzle stopped and we found ourselves walking through forests on the very boundary of this region.

At the Col des Vaux, we crossed over the N79 and soon after started to look for a place for lunch finding a great spot on the edge of the forest where we could tuck into Janice's home made rolls.

Lindsey and Gemma enjoy lunch

After lunch we headed for Trivy where we had some decisions to make about the way back as to what route we should take. We had been hoping to find water and a loo in Trivy but none were available and neither was there a cafe open or even a tabac. We could see Dompierre-Les-Ormes in the distance and knowing there was a cafe there we headed south on a fairly direct route which took us under the N79 this time and then along the main road for a little while before one of my favourite parts of the walk although it was nearly all up hill.

The track brought us in at the lower end of the town and we stopped at the church first then out of town towards the Arboretum which was the same direction as refreshment. Threatening rain meant we ran the last part of the way only to be met by a closed sign on the coffee shop door, we just couldn't believe it and it did cause great disappointment. All we really wanted now was to get back to the house as quickly as possible and to have showers and relax.

New day, new challenges

Having slept well, it was lovely to wake up gently with no need to jump up in answer to a long 'to do' list. In fact lying there for a while and slowly hearing more and more voices join the general sound was interesting.

Breakfast was spread out on the large table that we'd only vacated a few hours before and what a feast, just the thing to get you started especially when a climb was in store.

Yes, we were heading off walking and our first destination was the top of Mont Saint Cyr, visible behind the house in the courtyard and the highest point in the area.

Just before the off, gathered on the steps outside Les Cesiers

 Out the gate and up the road to the left and then left again on the junction soon taking off on a path on the left soft and grassy beneath our feet. We were all hot already and taking off top layers to let the air and sunshine at our skin.

Not surprisingly we were climbing but fairly gently so still able t hold a conversation and to stop and look back admiring the views in all directions. Our first proper stop was in a flattened clearing not that far from the top and close to the car park for those not wanting to walk. What a wonderful day.

A notice board gave information about the commmune with a map and a number of things you might do. Our goal though was to get to the top.

Gemma, Marina and Geraldine are the first to get to the very top

Marina, Kathy and Gemma

The view down to Montmelard

 With fabulous views and sunshine, this was a great place for a break and although this group are nearly impossible to keep quiet we managed 2.5 minutes of complete and utter silence! It was so blissful.

The wonderful EEG prove they made it to the top.

As is often the case the going down was harder. We were on a different path, narrower and uneven so concentration required but as it was steeper it was fairly rapid and brought us out onto a road leading into Montmelard which we'd viewed from above.

The area around Montmelard is sometimes called “The Mâconnais’ Little Switzerland” because of the small, green mountains that stand there, such as the Mont Saint-Cyr (771m) which we'd just been to the top of. The region lies at the crossroads of the Mâconnais, the Beaujolais and the Burgundy Wines Road.

 This is the church in Montmelard, worth a look inside, cool and calm.

Back in the UK, this would have been coffee time but this is rural France so it was with great disappointment that we walked the entire length of the village and there was nowhere to have refreshment. So we had no option than to walk on and continue our circle.

The first hint of autumn, squashes and pumpkins

The next part of the walk kept us on roads for a while as you can see, although not very busy ones. The fruit trees along the way were laden with apples and pears and there were a number of people out and around their houses and farms and there were also a number of dogs.

As you can see from the photo, there's one about middle left and this dog decided to accompany us the rest of the way round and back to Janice's. We tried to get him to go home on a number of occasions but no luck and it took over 24 hours before he was reunited with his owners.

We did overshoot a little on this walk, though I'm not 100% where so we came back out near t the foot of the hill to Montmelard, not as planned but at least not too far away from home. It was uphill though and by this time we were about an hour later than planned, most of us had run out of water, there was nowhere to fill up and poor Geraldine had taken a tumble although it was mainly superficial cuts which healed quickly.

Lunch was a welcome sight. cheese, meats and fresh bread and then a n afternoon of relaxation. Some people were having massages, some of us were learning archery and the rest were enjoying the sunshine.

Aim and fire Chris.

Mark shows Lindsey what to do regarding holding the bow.

I also tried archery and what a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. I have to admit to being very nervous but Mark soon put me at ease, he's a very patient and thorough instructor clearly very safety conscious. Although I nearly scored a bullseye with my first attempt - have a look at the photo, Mark supported me through the meltdown that followed. I was really shaky after my first go and it took a while to start doing things right again so that by the end of the session I was finding the target fairly regularly.

Lindsey had to go one better of course!! Yes, that's a bulls eye. She was consistently good as was Gemma who tried it after her massage.

The Bulls Eye Queen

I'm sure she's done this before.

Paula dozes in the dappled shade

Chris tries out the pool.

 People were coming away from the massages all stating that this was the best massage they'd ever had so I started to wish that I'd not been so generous and gone for one too but c'est la vie. I think it's true to say they were all floating.

Tea and cakes in the orchard around 4.00 and dinner with wine in the evening and much. much more laughter. A complete day at Les Ceresiers was a wonderful success.