Continue from Coulsdon around to Oaks Park, onward to cross the ‘mad mile’ at Banstead Downs, and then towards Nonsuch Park & site of Nonsuch Palace, and possibly as far as Ewell. Potentially as much as 8 miles or so, with some mud and some suburban pavements. Refreshment possibilities in Coulsdon, Clockhouse, Oaks Park, Nonsuch Park, and perhaps other unexpected places. A chance to leave at Clockhouse (bus), Oaks Park (166 bus), Banstead (train), Ewell East & Cheam (train and bus) and in the possibly unlikely event we get as far as Ewell village it’s the train from Ewell West back to East Croydon, via Clapham Junction.

Meet in Coulsdon (get there by many buses from Croydon) outside the Pembroke pub (which opens at 10am so one could have something there first) by 10.35am to set off at 10.45am. (The Pembroke pub (a Wetherspoon-like place) is in central Coulsdon, just near the start of where the Chipstead Valley Road branches off from Brighton Road and is near a Tesco-Express – we finished by going in there last Sunday.)

Adventures in store no doubt…as we found last Sunday and other times, one can never be sure what’s gonna happen while walking the LOOP, it’s almost enough to send you loopy!

Paul Newbold, 07968 223589