An old favourite on June 11th

Another EEG and Athena Angel's walk combined and in trying to get the miles in I've chosen a different starting point than usual for this walk so the meet up is at Leytonstone tube and we'll do around 13 miles to Epping ....and then have the luxury of the tube back home.

 Once again, we had great weather and this time, the only person who made the walk was Lindsey from the East End Girls - that's her second from the left. Is there a pattern here?

At this point we were just past the lake at Highams Park and heading out towards High Beach with a planned stop for a coffee and the loo up at the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

I'm delighted to say that for the Athena Angels we are well on target for the walk in September and the committed members are stepping up and making most of the walks. They're also getting the most out of the experience and really experiencing the bonding and belonging that I spoke about in January.

Dawn, Carol and Nic stride on knowing coffee is close by. It's so important to stop regularly and give your body a break as it is to  drink plenty so you don't get dehydrated.

From the coffee stop it was another 80/90 minutes to High Beach and a decision to have lunch at one of the pub's there. Unfortunately on our way along the narrow path Carol caught her foot in a hole or tree root and took a tumble. I'm delighted to say that the first aid kit is very rarely out but it was on this occasion and in a very short space of time, we had her knee, cleaned and covered so that she was in the best state she could be. The only thing she suffered after was a little brusing so no lasting damage. Note, keeping a well stocked first aid kit is really important.

Batteries recharged after lunch and it was back to High Beech itself and then down to the main road where the policy always is for every individual to cross in their own time and when it feels right. This is such a busy road that this is really important. What I like about this walk is the way it's sectioned off due to the roads that need crossed and most are small ones. It does allow it all to be broken up.

When we got to the outskirts of Epping we'd actually completed our target of miles for the day so it was a bonus, although more appreciated after, when the final tally was 14 miles. We celebrated by sitting in the sun in Costa knowing that already we'd exceeded our target.

May's EEG walk

May 14th 2011

This walk was an historic walk as for the first time I brought the East End Girls and the Athena Angels together - the Athena Angels are the group that I am training from my Networking groups and we are aiming to do Maggie's Night Hike in September. The girls, who have been training since the start of the year are now up to 10 miles ish so it's easier to put the groups together than to plan more than one walk....and they get to meet each other and network. We also had Mel (in the foreground) join us for the first time.

What's also amazing about this walk is the fact that at last we are going to be able to walk that bit of the London Loop between Moor Park and Stanmore, only 9 miles!! It'e been so long in the coming due to engineering works which mean we can get there but not back or vice versa. There is also an opt out at Hatch End Station after 4.75 miles for those doing the 10 mile Night Hike (Athena Angels) or of course, those people can keep on going if so inspired.

The hardest bit of this walk is getting out of the station as there is a need to double back and lots of instructions saying 'don't go here, don't do that" but we made it so onwards .... and almost immediately onto a golf course. Walking on golf courses always makes me uneasy but this one was much better than the one in Hainault, thank goodness.

Once through that the walk then took us through Oxhey woods so lots of greenery but on this walk there were times when the signposting let us down and we had to back track and at other times we found ourselves more or less walking in a hedge!! Of well, all pert of the fun I suppose.

The fingers are poised on Carol as she was, in fact the only Athena Angel who made it, brave women but she has eturned again since so a good sign.

Here Teresa attempts a conversation with the local animals. After a rather enjoyable lunch, I think she was biding her time as we started to climb!! We were heading for Grimsdyke and before that fabulous views across much of London. That was well worth a stop and it was easy to spot harrow on the Hill in the distance because of the church spire.

Grim's Dyke is an ancient earthwork probably dated back to AD 100.

Sue and Lindsey enjoying the walk

Grimsdyke House, designed by Norman Shaw is in the vicinity and this house was bought in 1890 and restored by W S Gilbert the literary half of Gilbert and Sullivan. Lots of history here.

The photos above illustrate the variety of terrain within this walk and having not done it before this was all new ground. Where it did start to look familiar was when we came close to Stanmore where we recalled taking photos by the ponds at Stanmore Little Common.

Another great day out.

Small but select.

I'm ashamed to say that this blog has been a little neglected recently but happily that is all about to change as I update yesterday, then our fabulous trip to Burgundy and finally to bring it all up to date. The order may be a little askew but it will be all the same fun and laughter expected of the East End Girls.

We were blessed with great weather yesterday for our September walk, no surprise really as 'heather weather' as it's now known is ordered and delivered frequently. Due to holidays - Chris in Turkey, Gemma in Cornwall and Paula just finishing off her China Wall walk and other commitments, we were a small but select group which meant that our newest recruit Sharon was able to ease in and get to know members fairly easily.

In fact that opportunity started right away as poor Teresa got delayed and rather than waste time chatting only, we moved from S Woodford station to Coffee Republic were Lina and the girls looked after us really well, introduced the local ladies so hopefully more business coming their way now. Always good to support local business.

As a result of coffee, we didn't get started till 10.30 as opposed to 9.30 but the good side f that was that by the time we got up to the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, the pub was open for cool drinks and a loo stop - see how it all works out.

We got to this point by walking through Epping Forest following the Centenry Walk which takes you by the Highams Park Lake.

Here you can see the small but select group, minus me (the photographer) enjoying the wildlife and the warm day.

It takes about 45 mins to get to this point from S Woodford and then it was roughly same again up to the Hunting Lodge where we had a couple more shots.

Geraldine holds court with Vanessa and Teresa

(left to right) Geraldine, Teresa, Heather and Vanessa.

From the Hunting Lodge we followed the London Loop and although we've done much of this before, we did take a few detours so having experienced this bit on one of the Athena Angels Training walks, I wanted to share it was the EEG (East End Girls). It's very lovely taking you up though open grassland edged with forest, the across the main road out to the M25 and up through the forest to the cricket pitch just off the main road to Loughton.

From here you are in a built up area and I know a number of routes to get to the same place but none as pretty as this one which brings you by cottages many decked with wonderful window boxes and pots still ablaze with colour. Then when you wonder where you're going next your taken into what seems like someone's back yard and down a narrow path which widens into a lane with the back garden of houses on one side and open countryside on the other.

The hedges at the moment are covered in hawthorn and wild rose bushes laden with red berries and even some holly berries.  I was brought up to believe that this was a sign of a harsh winter and if the last two years are anything to go by this could indeed be true.

Here's an example of what I mean. 

On this part of the walk you skirt a wildlife area where a wonderful sculptured gate provides one of the access points. I was introduced to this by a friend a few years ago and it's one of those wonderful assets to the area that only few probably know of.  Then further on you, depending on what route you take, you can pass through an other area of wildlife meadows at the back of the David Lloyd Sports Centre which leads down to the River Roding.

This walk is a mix of being very rural and also quite built up and the next photo really shows the urban side of things with concrete footbridges providing the way across the tube line. Not quite as beautiful as the natural environment.


Not far from here into parkland and as it was nearly 2.00, lunch was much in demand so we walked through some of the park and headed off to Costa.

After lunch it was an easy walk down the River Roding.

This is not a huge River by any means but very rich in foliage at this time of year. Plenty of flowers; bullrushes, edging the river itself; plenty of nettles if you were in to gathering them to make nettle tea and still some blackberries for picking and making blackberry and apple pies or just for eating as you walk along.

Made it back about 3.30 and after some stretching, hot baths or showers, still plenty of time for a lovely relaxed evening and the opportunity to look forward to the next walk....and Sharon tells me she really enjoyed it and will be out walking with us again.

Royal Wedding Eve and an amble not a ramble - Take two!!

It wasn't a usual East End Girls walk, taking us hours to cover a relatively small distance but then again, this was no usual occasion.

Earlier in the week, I had an email from Christine one of my dear friends and original East End Girls who said -

"Hi Heather,
I am going for a walk in London come what may next Thursday evening, just to drink in some of the Wedding atmosphere and wondered if you and any of the East End girls fancied an evening walk.  I remember going to London the night before Diana and Charles' wedding and it was fantastic.  Regents Street and the mall look brilliant and just want to see it all in real life, what do you think? "
Love Chris xx

There's Chris and I at Horse Guards Parade later in the walk.

It sounded like a great idea and somehow I ended up being the person to organise it, not quite sure how that happened but.... Anyhow, we met up at Green Park tube on the park side at 6.00 and headed off. We were a motley crew of 6 at that stage, Christine, Barb and Sonia, all East End Girls, my daughter, Ellie and Gemma, the girlfriend of one of Christine's sons.

The park was fairly busy but none of the campers I'd expected to see as yet, perhaps they were to arrive later. Temporary walkways had been laid down and large screens also erected to show the festivities the following day. As we walked through they were showing images of the happy couple.

A lot of the park had been fenced off to allow access to where the temporary studios were  built to allow the best of views from where the world's media would broadcast and it was amazing to see the work that had gone into something like this.

Finishing touches were being put in place for the studios but live broadcasts were also going on and we were to see much more of this at Westminster Abbey.

Pavements are not the most comfortable to sleep but on an occasion like this many were willing to take the chance and at 6.30 there were many people setting up camp, but also a number of places available which surprised me, many were front row views. This photo is at Buckingham Palace where the place was really buzzing and full of atmosphere, a wide range of nationalities and numerous look alike some so uncannily real that you did a second take. Everyone was happy and smiling and very happy to talk. As you can see from the photos, the flags were stunning both those on the flag poles and lamp standards as well as ones of the couple on tents and barriers.


Similar views were to be seen right along the Mall  where people were only too happy to chat and have photos taken. They'll be appearing in photo albums and blogs throughout the world I'd think.

There were also entire families and people of all ages with not only tents but chairs, blow up beds, tables and camping stoves and the champagne was flowing. Well if you're going to do it, it has to be done in style. I could see Ellie was wondering if perhaps we should have planned to camp out!

Rain had been forecast but there looked like not a drop in the offering and I think that might have deterred some.

These ladies were all the way from San Diego! Wonder if they know CF?

I love this photo of the Mall in the evening sun resplendent with it's decor but also the colours of the people and the cyclists I imagine just trying to get home.

From the end of the Mall we turned towards Horse Guards and it was interesting to photograph our iconic images like the London Eye in  juxtaposition with the portaloos, vital facilities. The Eye was seen by us again later as we walked through Trafalgar Square when it was later and darker and it looked stunning adorned with lights of red, white and blue.

From here it was across Horse Guards and out onto Whitehall where we bought flags and stopped to look down Downing Street. I can remember when you could walk along Downing Street and when there was no need for large gates and heavily armed police.

Next stop Parliament Square and my favourite photograph of Winston Churchill in the foreground surrounded by multiple Union Jacks.

The Great West Door of Westminster Abbey is indeed grand, just look at that workmanship but I was a little disappointed here that there wasn't more decoration. It seemed plain in contrast to the Palace but then again I suppose use and function has something to do with it. I've never actually visited this building, should add it to the list.

There was a lot going on though - we were trying to meet up with Mel and Byrony which was proving a challenge. There was a lady playing drums as she walked up an down, people from all arts and parts moved around and there was a very stunning lady dressed in what may have been an evening dress or was it a wedding dress without the veil? Not sure and it also wasn't clear if she was a look alike or not.

Here there was also another great bank of media studios and again many broadcasts taking place.

With the route completed and our additional ladies found, it was getting chilly so what do the East End Girls do? We add a little pace and head for a Costa. We walked up towards Trafalgar Square where we had no success in finding a Costa but did find space and food in Cafe Nero so we all settled ourselves for a well deserved break.

About 3/4 of an hour later feeling energised again we set off homeward saying farewell to members of the group at Picadilly as we walked up the well decorated Regent Street to Oxford Circus and for Ellie and me the Central Line home. Thanks Chris, it was a great idea and a great evening and how lovely to watch all that pomp and pageantry the following day and to recognise all the spots we'd been as well as acknowledge how good we are at laying on an event like this.

Royal Wedding Eve and an amble not a ramble.

Had put hours of love and photos into this and it's gone, just working up to starting again so please bear with me, take two will happen later today, I hope.

Stunning weather, stunning walk, stunning East End Girls!

Well once again the Loop section from Moor Park is outwith reach due to engineering work but we're not despondent, we'll get there in months to come.

Well if you can't get your first choice, you look out one equally as good and as the forecast was so positive I turned my thoughts to the river and one of the most stunning sections of the Thames Path which we completed last year.

Photo shows the girls as they wander along.

We met at Teddington, a first for me and what a lovely amble from the station down to the River - I did think that there were plenty of great shops to spend money in, so a return visit definitely needed. But that's for later.

As we crossed the footbridge to the South Bank there is a great view of the locking system which is the biggest on the Thames. According to the National Trail Guide of the Thames Path here you see the seldom used boat rollers, then the skiff lock and something called the coffin lock.


Richmond 3.5 miles or 5.6 km further along the river and we knew that here we would have a well earned rest and stop for coffee.

I love this part of the Thames as you glimpse Richmond in the distance but before that you look up to your right at some of the stunning houses on the heights and also see where the Capital Ring Path which we've also done joins the Thames Path. This path takes you along Petersham Meadows where there are cows grazing and where the Thames is allowed to flood in its traditional way. There are public toilets at this stage, always much appreciated.

Here are Sonia on the right, our most recent addition to the East End Girls, and Marie enjoying some refreshments.

Soft drinks, muffins and coffees all allowed as by now a number of calories have burned up. Lindsey is always wanting to know how many calories she has used so she can decide just how many she can now replace. The longer the walks, the more calories!

Everyone enjoying the atmosphere and the sunshine and getting ready to head on further.

As usual Richmond was buzzing, it's another place I must come back to some day just to soak up the atmosphere and chill but not today. Time now to navigate the crowds and pass further along seeking out wider paths and space.

Richmond Lock is another familiar spot for many of us, we've crossed this before and set out along the North Side of the river but again not today, we're sticking south and enjoying following the Thames Boundary of the Old Deer park reliving past walks as we go. We also bypass Kew Gardens and discussion once again returns to the idea of doing the treetop walk sometime.

It's here too that we decide on lunch as it's now about 2.00 and some members are due to leave us around Kew Bridge. It's really important to integrate new members into the walk allowing everyone to walk at their own pace whether that be slower or fast and provide opt out spots where possible. It was Anne's first walk with us and although she walks regularly, 11.5 miles is not her usual distance and 7.5 miles to Kew Bridge is a very respectable distance.

We choose a spot along the path offering both sun and shade, again catering for all tastes. Cajsa, our sun worshiper enjoys a chance to top up the tan and Teresa, Chris and Geraldine choose the steps and wall as seats.


So as the afternoon continues the group gets smaller, Anne at Kew Bridge, Geraldine and Vanessa at Barnes Bridge and the rest of us continue to Putney Bridge.

Interesting to note the contrasts in the river at it's different stages, very green and lucious at one point and then a lot more sandy where the tide is out, I don't think I've ever seen the tide so low as it was here.

A few more stops to find and loo and have a break and a chance as we walked to appreciate the architecture especially of note for me after Barnes Bridge where some of the terraces are very seaside like. It was around here that the tide out photo below was taken.

There have been some stunning transformations in the terraces adding very modern extensions, mainly of glass to take advantage of the light.

Apparently Gustav Holst lived along here from 1908 while he was Director of Music at St Paul's Girls School in Hammersmith.

Before we reach Putnet Bridge, one of my favourite buildings, The Harrod's Depository where keeping the facade, it has been transformed into water front appartments.

And finally to our destination but with the sun still shining and loads of people taking advantage of a pint by the river, we relented and stopped too. Here's Teresa holding court. A caption competition in the making....

Another fine walk.....

Cajsa to the rescue!!

Even before heading off for my trip to Mallorca I was thinking of my East End Girls so I took my London Loop book with me as I was determined that this time we'd finish the Moor Park section. However, updates from the tube soon put an end to that and I was forced to suggest a S Woodford meeting again. No harm in that, always good places to walk, but it's always nice to venture further afield especially once the weather starts to improve.

Emails were sent out and I had a chat with Paula over options as we sat in the sun enjoying wonderful Mallorcan scenery, just like this in the photo. Paula and I even parted with the words 'see you on Sunday' that's how confident I felt.

But my body had other ideas.......I'd had a bit of a problem with my foot a couple of weeks earlier, my back had tweaked a little as I was packing to leave and I knew I'd been pushing myself too hard and not paying attention so although I had a wonderful 4 days walking, my body took control once again (remember Aug 2005) and forced me to take some action, or not, in this case.

A little bend to put some clothes in the washing machine and pain.

I was really loath to cancel another walk as my poor ladies hadn't been out since Jan so I called my faithful colleague and very knowledgeable walker in this area and asked if she's like to lead. Thanks Cajsa, you allowed me not to have to send round loads of emails and angst over whether everyone had got the message and I could relax in the knowledge that everyone was safe in your hands. You may have walked them a little further than they'd planned and at a much faster pace but they all survived to tell the tale.

Cajsa (left) and I one the Pink Ribbon Walk

Thanks so much, I owe you one.