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.

Trip to Burgundy, travel day

Nine of us heading off and seven of us starting from Cowslip road so much excitement as we all gathered on Monday Sept 5th. Permits for car parking were arranged, a taxi service from Alan and Paula's nephew and in the midst of excited women, some like Gemma, not having been with us for a while, I was handing out brightly coloured Harimaki's.

I'd be looking for something to give the girls but was drawing a blank until the wonderful Jo Tocher asked if any of the Athena Angel's wanted to buy Harimaki's to keep us cosy on Maggie's Night Hike. I had my answer and I had great fun deciding what colour everyone should have. I was also delighted to be able to hand them out now as it meant I didn't have to carry them all in my hand baggage.

We were at Stansted in plenty of time and as luck would have it we managed to link up with Chris and Marina at security so we were all together and able to relax over coffee and a bit of retail therapy before setting off.

A few hours later, still talking and laughing of course, we were walking out of Lyon airport to meet Janice and Mark who'd very kindly come to pick us up and drive us to Les Cesiers.

Ever since I first came here to meet Janice, I'd seen it as a great base for the EEG and arriving in glorious sunshine didn't disappoint.

The photo shows the house taken from the orchard.

Those who arrived first had the pick of the rooms so Gemma opted for a room of her own and I picked the top floor with the two double beds for Teresa and I. Then we waited for the others and once unpacked it didn't take long for us to gather in the orchard for tea and cake.
 

Pool viewed from the first floor

We spent the rest of the afternoon chilling by the pool, chatting and laughing while some swam others read books in the shade.

 

 

 

Paula braves the rather chilly pool.

Geraldine soaking up the sun in a world of her own

Lindsey cooling her feet and open for conversation or photos...

 I think we all relaxed immediately and were so enjoying being together again and in a slightly different way than before. Normally what we do together is walk so days like this are unusual but they were clearly causing no stress at all.

Our trip was being catered by Janice so all we had to do was sit back and relax and await the call to dinner. On this, the first evening, fizz was served first - what a lovely surprise.

Mark opens the bottle

Marina and Geraldine

Chris, Paula and Gemma

Teresa, the wise one, or does the camera lie?

Lindsey, Heather and Kathy

Cannot remember what we had that first night, what I do remember though is the noise we all made. It was a hot evening so all the windows were open and we, all being together again, were noisy enough but add to that a few bottles of wine and lots of stories to catch up on and I'm so glad that we were far from a residential area, I do think Mark wondered what he'd let himself in for though.

 Raising glasses to the East End Girls and to those who couldn't be with us and one to Paula too who is a very new member but fitted in so well and very soon was 'one of us'

Casting a spell?

It was late when we finished eating and drinking and climbed the stairs to bed where from the room Teresa and I had the stars were bright and clear and nearly worth staying awake for...nearly

My bad in the top floor room.

Nine go to Burgundy, the history

In early 2006, I registered for the Breakthrough to Breast Cancer 60km walk. I needed a walking challenge, couldn't afford to head to Peru to walk the Inca Trail at the time and this London walk was a great event to fill my needs. I emailed a few of my friends telling them they should do it too and two of them joined me, the others telling me I was mad. 60km is 38 miles and this was to be done over 2 days through London.

Not long after I registered, there was an email asking for women to offer to be walk leaders and run walks so that those who had signed up would have some support and training. So, figuring that if I offered to do that, it would keep me accountable, I volunteered and it's truly the best thing I ever did.

Starting with hour long walks and a small group, I ended up with a team of 18 fabulous women, all but two of whom completed the walk in style and without aches and pains. This group came together because of their commitment to this walk and if not for it, would probably never have met.

The fabulous EEG at the end of their 60k walk

 

 

When we finished I was asked "so what now?" It seems that in the course of training these wonderful women had got the walking bug and weren't very keen to stop. My commitment was to walk with them once a month so the East End Girls (EEG) walking group was born and still continues now.


 Since 2006, we've walked nearly every month, some of us went off to Peru, yes, in 2007, I got to fulfill and dream and walk the Inca Trail and I took 3 of my wonderful EEG with me.

From left to right - Gemma, Heather, Teresa and Christine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then in June 2008, we were asked to record a walk with Claire Balding for the Radio 4 Ramblings programme so off we went to the Lakes were we enjoyed the most stunning weekend of Lakeland weather culminating in a wonderful walk and broadcast. 

Teresa and I at the cathedral in le Puy en Velay ready to start our Camino

Also in 2008 but this time, the end of September, Teresa and I having discovered our interest in the Camino de Santiago de Compostella started to walk this amazing path. We decided to start it in le Puy en Velay in central France and to date have completed 4 sections, hoping in 2012 to complete two more which will take us to the French/Spanish border.. It's been a fabulous experience so far. We've met wonderful people and walked through parts of France I'm not sure we would never have found otherwise.We had Christine join us on the third section and we have at least 5 more to do once we get to the border so it will be a few years yet before we walk into Santiago de Compostella although only just yeserday, we were discussing the need for a few days holiday there at the end to enjoy the achievement.

As a walking group we have completed the Capital Ring, the Thames Path and much of the London Loop and completed the Pink Ribbon Walk on the South Downs in 2009. We have plans to walk the Norfolk Coast Path, Hadrian's Wall and the Grand Canal among many others. Our problem is the time to do it and if someone would sponsor me to spend the rest of my life walking, I'd be very happy.

Cathy, Nicola, Marina, Geraldine, Lindsey, Cajsa, Zara, Teresa, Kathy and Pauline on the Capital Ring

The completion of the Thames Path - Cajsa, Chris, Me, Teresa and Kathy

Pink Ribbon Team - Lindsey, Cajsa, me, Gemma, Teresa, Chris and Vanessa.

 

I cannot now imagine life without the East End Girls. These women are the best I know and ,I would trust my life to them. Walking together, we've got to know each other so well.  As we pound the pavements and explore new areas we've shared the ups and downs, being there to support each other through all sorts of life experiences and the bonding that's happened as a result is a very strong one.

So 5 years after it all began, it seemed very appropriate to celebrate still walking together.
We did so by taking 5 days off and heading off to Les Cesiers in Burgundy to walk, talk, chill and eat and drink and just enjoy each others company.

Noisy, fun loving and 'mad' but wonderful women

Emergency bathroom repair

...so no walk.

Everything was heading in the right direction, I was  going to lead the last walk a week before heading off to the USA but then the bathroom decided to leak and decisions had to be made very quickly to move us on and our walk date was the only time we had. Sad but true.

See you all in September ladies.

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.