It’s time, once again, to pick up the LOOP* and continue on from last time when we finished at Enfield (Gordon Hill stn). We shall continue along the Turkey Brook and come off the LOOP to visit Forty Hall, a Jacobean mansion on the outskirts of Enfield, which you can go inside, stroll the gardens, and maybe visit the cafe (please Goooogle for more info). Also here is the site of a Tudor palace (no longer in existence) – a kind of Nonsuch Palace of North London (my words).

After this we  track eastwards past two rail stns, where people (or all of us) can depart home. or people can join us (Turkey Street stn and Enfield Lock stn). Next we encounter our first canal since the Uxbridge area – Enfield Lock on the Lea Navigation. We then cross the Lea Valley, via Sewardstone Marsh and Hill, take in breath-taking views of London and arrive in the western fringes of Epping Forest (yes, it’s back to Essex!).

Food and drink possibilities along the way, particularly at Forty Hall, and then at the end maybe a pub near Chingford Stn from where we return. One of the places here is The Royal Forest, next to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, where we had a super meal the last time we were here in early 2020. It costs more now (doesn’t everywhere!?) and is waitress/waiter service now (rather than buffet style), or we could simply have a drink here, or just come home.

Distance is around 8 miles or so with one or two heart-thumping ascents and likely some mud! Bring some stuff to eat and drink along the way.

Meet East Croydon stn from 8.45am to catch the 9.08am Thameslink service, getting off at Finsbury Park to change for a train to Gordon Hill.

OH DEAR 🤨this is early, but Dionne managed to get people up for a train a little earlier than this the other day (and I can make it this time, as there is no engineering work from Tattenham Corner this week). Just make sure you are tucked up in bed with your cocoa by 9pm the night before. (❤️)

Because of engineering work somewhere between E Croy and Victoria, it’s going to be easier to go a little early and avoid walking between two London stations, and will involve just one change.

I am aiming to be at E Croy at 8.45am to meet people there, but if my train messes up I’ll catch you up along the way (I have a cunning plan B).

Have I forgotten anything (apart from the question mark), if so just call for more details…

Paul Newbold

07968 223589

* = the LOOP is the London Outer Orbital Path, a 150-mile long trail around the outskirts of Greater London going along rivers, across meadows and parkland, through woodland and, best of all, along some pavements and roads! It is 3 years now since we started at Erith along the scrap yards along the Thames, a memorable walk indeed!!

🌨️?

Oh No! we’ll have to x that bridge if/when we come to it. And just when we’re anticipating spring!