The Search for Bluebells

Bluebells are some of my favourite flowers so I was hoping as April's walk was being planned that we could include these beautiful flowers. There are loads of great Bluebell walks although none were advertised close to me but I did know that in Wanstead Park there is a lovely section which is a bluebell wood. So we set off.

Meeting place was once again S Woodford station and what a turn out - 13 women, more the normal number for January. Once again a new member along, it was great to welcome Jo.

Down the River Rodding and another section of it this month. Again this is a familiar walk for the regulars but one we hadn't tackled for a while. Not wanting to get into a rut and to make sure we tackled the bluebell wood side, we decided on an earlier coffee stop at the tea hut. It's one of the things I love in this area and they do great cakes, all home made.

Then it was a circle of the park spotting bluebells, white bells - is this what they're called, grape hyacynth, harebells and red campion but sadly the bluebell woods was only coming into bloom. Note to go back there in a week or two although her's a sneak preview from last year.

Hunger was starting to bite - no pun intended and as this is another favourite passtime of the East End Girls we made our way to Belgique where once again we could sit outside. Great food and very accommodating staff who allowed us to pay separately.

Then after bidding farewell to Teresa and Maggie who had to leave us, we started on the last section. Wanstead Flats and then into forest where I was delighted when a beautiful adult fox passed across our path. I was also delighted when we came across an area which is usually very muddy only to find that it was totally dry. Sad in a way though as it just shows how little rain we've had. The ground was parched and cracked, no wonder the hose pipe ban comes in on the 5th.

Anyhow, another great walk and time to go and spend in the garden dozing in the sun.

Reason for a walk....

Do you need a reason to take a walk? I don't believe you do, it can just be because it's a nice day or you want to get out in the fresh air but for me in the month of March part of the reason was to try out Butler's Retreat.

Now Butler's Retreat is a wonderful weather boarded building on the edge of Epping Forest which as a walking group, we have used lots in the past. It had got rather run down although it still provided a place for a coffee/tea break and of course, the all important loo stop. Then it got sold and for months on end was surrounded by tall hoardings. In fact sometimes I did wonder if it would ever open again so imagine my pleasure when I drove past in Feb to find all hoardings removed and the place looking very inviting and welcoming.

So when it came to plan our March walk, I found that I so craved getting out into greenery and nature and chose one of my favourite walks and one that I know the group love too. This walk was then planned to include a tip to Butler's Retreat and when I researched to find out more was delighted to find that it had been taken over by a deli in the locality which I love.

I had warned the group that there may be mud so dressed in layers, armed with water, sun screen, gloves and fully equipped for all seasons we met up at S Woodford Station. There were two new members too checking us out so this had to be of interest and fun.

Yes, there was mud and at times, we were having to help each other over small streams but it was fabulous to be in the forest and walking on softer surfaces than on pavements and roads. About 1.5 hours took us to coffee time and wow, what a fab place Butler's retreat now is. Interior decor, food, service etc, all great. I think we started to wish that this was lunch stop but there will be so much more opportunity to try this out again.

After coffee, we headed off to Connaught Water which is currently being lansdscaped. Lots of people around enjoying the sunshine and as usual my group were chatting away as only women can so was I really surprised to find out that those who wer at the back missed the turn and disappeared. Luckily we all noticed and with the help of mobile phones we all managed to get together again. Were they trying to escape?

From here, we crossed the main road and headed into more of the forest and into an area that I love so much as no matter for what time of the year, it looks glorious. Then it was down to Loughton and being able to sit outside and enjoy lunch. How lovely to be able to do this in March.

After lunch, we continued the return journey and started off with a steep hill up and then, almost immediately, down and then from there into the park that leads along the River Rodding as it journeys from Buckhurst Hill to Loughton.

We finished our walk at Buckhurst Hill Station and great feedback from our new members, I look forward to seeing them again next month.

Putney Bridge to wherever

Our walk today could have taken a number of different routes and was left purposely vague as I wasn't sure what would be icey, where there'd be snow and I clearly wanted to keep away from boggy forest.

Putney Bridge is a great place to start and even though I love that walk over the bridge to the south side of the Thames, I was fully prepared to try the northern side for a change. The northern route of this section of the Thames however, follows the road for a very long way so that was enough to put me off and I got to climb the steps and take the ladies over the Thames along by the railway line.

Pagoda in Battersea Park

Boy was it cold, and delayed trains at Earl's Court meant we'd kept some of the group waiting longer than planned. The body warmed up quickly, the feet took a little longer but warm up they did and the hat came off about an hour into the walk.

It was a great turnout for February, 11 of us and catching up needed with Carol as well as congratulations for her endeavours and moments of madness on her challenge last week - I wasn't tempted to join and to Marie who'd been travelling for 4 weeks in S America and Antartica.

The problem, for the morning anyhow, was a severe lack of coffee and also loo facilities. I knew there were loos in Battersea Park and they were much needed by the time we got there. Happy to go on further, that was fine until hunger and coffee withdrawal took over and then a long path to a dead end didn't amuse. Such short sightedness.......don't get me started.

Thankfully a new and roomy Pret a Manger in Vauxhall came at just the right time and coffee and lunch was combined. Plenty of room to sit, more loos and wonderful coffee, think chunky soups, haloumi and falafal wraps and various sandwiches and salads satisfied our little group.

After lunch Vanessa opted to cross the river and head home, Geraldine and Paula opted out and headed for the tube and we left Maggie sipping coffee feeling proud of herself for her achievements.

Vauxhall Bridge was closed one way for filming but we weren't close enough to see what and the young man stopping pedestrians either didn't know or wasn't going to share his info with us so on we walked along the South Bank. At the London Eye it was crowded, touristy and somewhat tacky but that didn't last for long and the detour near the Tate no longer exists, there are however, too many holes, fenced off areas and hoardings, pushing the many pedestrians into narrow walking areas and making the act of putting one foot in front of each other a bit of a trial. Will be glad when the Olympics are over!!

We called it a day at London Bridge - 8.00/8.5 miles along and a spot where most people could return home easily and enjoy an evening. Thanks ladies, always a pleasure. I look forward to March.

Laying down the gauntlet for the year ahead.

It's a bit of pressure organising the new year's walks. Setting the dates is easy but then the routes need to be decided......and weather and engineering works on the tube get in the way. So much so at times that hours of planning can go to pot in a moment.

A couple of years ago I did a short survey with the girls to see what their favourite walks were and as a result we've used those quite a lot. Two of the favourites are the route of the Big Fun walk and the walk along the canal from Mile End to Paddington. This time I was determined not to fall into that trap so I had to get more creative.

having been in the forest recently I knew that things had got rather muddy so that wasn't going to be a good choice especially as the January walk is usually well supported, I didn't want to go for the favourites but I did want some good paths. The Thames Path came to my rescue.

Meeting up at Waterloo, outside Costa of course, we headed towards the mouth walking along the South Bank which at this time of day wasn't too busy. Group shot, of an unusually small Jan group, was taken near to HMS Belfast with Chris, Cajsa, Geraldine who has bought a waterproof after how many years, Lindsey, Kathy and Teresa. A real core of the longest serving East End Girls.

We've walked to and over Tower Bridhe quite a lot over the past year but to go beyond this on the south Bank hasn't happened in a long time. In fact I think the last time when we were actually training for our Breakthrough Walk in 2006. Wondering how it's changed? Last time we got a little lost due to the lack of signs etc.

You were wondering when coffee would come weren't you? Well we made it as far as Starbucks just past Tower Bridge and then in fear of there being nowhere else, we stopped.

The East End Girls in relaxed mode having discussed Kindles and the Dukan Diet, getting ready to head off...into the unknown somewhat.


Once we got going again we were soon in Shad Thames and looking along at the iron bridges between the buildings which always make me think of Dickens time and of the film Oliver. Rather than walk along and under those though, the path takes you along the passage called Maggie Blakes Cause onto the Riverside and not far along you look back and see this wonderful view of Tower Bridge.

The next stop wasn't far on, just a little detour to the Design Museum and once back a glimpse of Victorian Dockland where there's an inlet and in some parts it feels as if the sun hardly ever shines.

Not much further is an area known as Jacob's Island, which in early Victorian times was a notorious slum area. Now, with much development, there is a real mix of the old and the new, the pubs, squares and new housing establishing, once again, communities. It was really good to be on this side for a change looking over and piecing together the places that we've walked past on numerous occasions on the opposite bank. It was much quieter here too.

One of the things I love along this part of the river are the many sculptures even if some are missing. This one, known as Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket is of a 1930's lad reading the story of the Mayflower, of the journey and what happens after and he seems unaware of the astonished pilgrim looking over his shoulder!

Along this part there are a number of ins and outs as you have to leave the river and return again, probably doing even more mileage! So much history here that seem more real than that on the other bank that's been refurbished for longer.

We did get a little lost when we got into a private housing development near to the Hilton Hotel. Easy to get into, not as easy to get out of so a bit of back tracking after funny looks from car drivers.

This time we're in luck and the Surrey Docks Farm is open so we go to visit. Many goats, wonderful small, small donkeys and pigs. A good cafe by the looks of things too but we're heading to Greenwich for lunch. Loved the bronze sculptures of the animals as well at the entrance. Will have to come back here again.

We got to Greenwich only about 4 hours after setting out and it's lovely to see the development of the Cutty Sark again after it's fire, things are coming on well. Not so good is the disruption around the foot tunnel, pier and station as so much work happens, all probably to get sorted for the Olympics.

We were heading for the Trafalgar Tavern and lunch but it was mobbed and a quick walk through showed no tables at all and no chance of one for a while so we left and took a path through the Naval College back into the centre of Greenwich and lunch in a restaurant whose name I cannt remember, where the food was good but where my chick kebab without the trinnings was really expensive and the manager was not willing to offer any discount!

Never mind, none of us will go back but we did have a great walk and it was so good to explore, to chat and to share.

Now where shall we walk in Feb?