Capital Ring 4. Crystal Palace to Streatham (& the source of "Peckham Springs"?)

 

Gill and I are walking around London via "The Capital Ring" (78 miles with 15 separate routes). While it is not a race and we can take as long as we want to complete, we have been busy lately with various other "commitments". So this post is more than a little late (we did the walk last month). Will try and catch up.

We started at Crystal Palace station and thankfully this was a short route (4.1 miles) since it rained and rained nearly all the way. Not so heavy that you had to give up but we were pretty soggy but it was not cold o windy for March. 

South London is surprisingly hilly in parts (by London standards). There was nothing too steep and some great views. This route was mostly suburban but lots of parks, commons and remnants of ancient forests (such as the Great North Wood). There was even a 19th Century mansion in Norwood Grove where we stopped for coffee (flasks) and treats under a tree while sheltering from the rain. 

When we came towards Streatham Common we were amazed at the wonderful "Rockery Gardens" which are well worth a visit. There used to be famous mineral water wells here which are now sadly unused (and reminded me not unkindly of another more modern, South London mineral water site, called "Peckham Springs")

Streatham Common is a real London "Green Lung" and it must be a fantastic community asset. We finished with a beer at the local Spoons (which now may be closed for a refurbishment so check). 

Will post more pictures of walk on Facebook 

Colne Valley Wildlife Walk 24.2.24

 

Yesterday morning I went to a consultation on a proposed LTN in my ward then taking advantage of a better weather forecast for Saturday compared to Sunday travelled with Gill by TFL trains to Rickmansworth. This circular 6.2 mile walk is listed in the book "More Great Chiltern Walks". 

It was an amazing walk and I was astonished at the size and number of the lakes (former gravel pits). We had lunch first at the Park cafe then started the walk around Bury Lake but found recent heavy rain had meant that many footpaths were closed or impassable due to flooding. We both had gaters above our boots but this was serious "welly" territory and we had to alter our course. We had to go along the south side of Stockers Lake (a wonderful nature reserve - see main picture) rather than the north. 

We passed a sign indicating that a camera had been placed overlooking a Gray Heron nest and you could check out the progress of the nesting and next month hopefully see the chicks. At the moment you can only see the parents taking turns to sitting and incubating the 3 eggs that have been laid. Check out https://www.fosl.org.uk/n for the live feed. 

We kept being warned by walkers coming from the opposite direction that the path ahead was impassable without Wellies. We chanced our arm but found it was too deep to keep going. However, some local children living on boats moored at the nearby Grand Union Canal had built a bridge (of sorts) which we were able to cross and continue the walk along the canal.

We walked along the canal for a while then left it near a World War 2 Pill box and tried to walk around Springwell Lake. We got most of the way around but had to retreat when we found the path totally submerged. Time was now pressing so we took the short route back along the canal into park. We will come back another day to finish it (when it is not so wet!) but it was still a lovely walk and well recommended. 

Stopped off at the Rickmansworth Spoons for a quick pint of Doombar then train back (about 1 hour 30 mins).   More photos on walks around London Facebook page. 

Last weeks Keto (low carb diet) highlights

 

I have been on a Keto (low carb) diet since June and so far it has worked (I have lost 23 pounds with 6 more to go). I have been exercising as well and cheating massively from time to time. I know it is not great to exclude a major food group from any diet but so far this has worked for me with no apparent side effects. 

Top meal of the week was a keto full english at Pellicci's in Bethnal Green (apparently the Kray's favourite cafe). Next was Skinny Chicken, beef burgers, bacon, cheese and salad at Spoons. Pork chops, gravy & broccoli at home. Skinny Sirloin and salad at Spoons (lots of evening meetings at Stratford and East Ham Town Hall which currently have spoons nearby). Tuna, salmon & avocado mixed salad. All yum.