We have had many days of splendid
weather for these Ockendon Road Rambles but against all the odds on
Saturday 9th January 2010 it was probably the best yet, and the most
exhilarating. The walk was supposed to be on the Kent/Surrey border but
it was strenuously rescheduled at the last moment for something
reachable by the Northern Line to avoid being stranded by the railways
in Kent.
This circular from Mill Hill East
station turned out to be no second rate option; it was a splendid
expedition heartily enjoyed by the small select band who braved (and
barely noticed) the subzero temperatures so many had feared.
snow job
The sun always shines on the ramblers
Right to roam
The little bit of suburbia at the
start disappeared just after we passed under the Northern Line viaduct we
had just gone over, when the path led us beside the delightful Dollis Brook,
and from then on the
Words and pictures by Peter
snow underfoot and uphill was deep and crisp and even,
glorious walking on not slippery at all (whooooooooooooooops!).
Snowscape
Under the viaduct
The Orange
Tree inn in the v.posh and much CCTV'd
village Totteridge popped up at exactly the right time and we negotiated
a prickly Mine Host astonished that no bookings had been made for a
Saturday lunch. Despite this, the meal was very pleasant and Puddings
Were Taken, though on this occasion no pictures record this.
Arctic explorers
Replete, the team plodded down
hill all the way across the fields back to Mill Hill East, much of the
time along the Folly Brook; we sped quickly back to the starting point
at Angel station, where the snow was starting again, and the sparkling
morning was already just a memory.
Learning to skate courtesy of Tescos
Awful warning
Would you credit it?
N E X T W A L K I S T H
E S P R I N G
O N E
The last Saturday in April : it's April 24th
R E S E R V E T H E D A T E A N D D O C O M E
The last Saturday in April : it's April 24th
R E S E R V E T H E D A T E A N D D O C O M E