Epping Forest run/walk, Longhorn cattle & Radicals on Wansted flats

Off message: Gill and I went for a great run/walk in Epping Forest today. We are both out of condition so walked uphill and ran down hill (also slowly) and on level paths. We started off near the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge in Chingford then followed the Epping Forest Holly Trail path. It took us about 45 minutes start to finish.

Epping Forest is lovely at this time of the year (in fact all times of the year!). There is a carpet of leaves in the woods and the trees are turning autumnal brown but there is still a large amount of greenery.

We came across some of the longhorn cows grazing in the Forest. Despite the scary horns and being very large, they are pretty docile. There was a Forest Ranger near them who told us that in a couple of weeks they will all be moved to winter pastures. I asked her when will cattle be reintroduced into Wansted Flats (there used to be roaming cattle near us before BSE - aka "Mad Cow disease") and she just smiled.

I hope to attend the local history talk "On the Edge - Religions and Radicals on Wanstead Flats" on 9 November. Check out https://newsfromnowhereweb.wordpress.com/meetings/on-the-edge-religions-and-radicals-on-wanstead-flats/

Alexandra Lake Wanstead Flats

Photo from run on Sunday (stylised). The Lake was named after the wife of King Edward VII and dug in 1905/06 to improve drainage and provide work for "unemployed men under the control of the West Ham Distress Committee".

Roding Valley Walk (Newham to Barking)

I can't believe that it was 8 years ago that Gill and I went for a 3 hour walk along the River Roding way (North) from Wanstead to Roding Valley underground station.

For whatever last minute whim reason, we decided today to go from Newham along the Roding River (South) towards Barking. There is a vague (and largely inaccurate) map online here

We walked through Wanstead Flats and alongside the City of London cemetery (and overhead train track to Ilford) to join the Roding War path in Little Ilford. There are signs pointing out the path but they are somewhat "sporadic".  Cross over Romford Road and make your way along Walton Road (including Susan Lawrence House named after one the first female MPs). You lose the signs at Little Ilford Park but go straight across and you will pick up the trail again.

Just before Barking we lost the signs again but made our way to  Barking town centre and had a late liquid brunch at the Barking Dog ,Wetherspoons. We walked 4.19 miles in 2 hours 19 minutes (including stops and breaks). Will finish off Barking to River Thames walk another time soon.

I raised on route a number of reports of fly tipping/litter on "Love Newham" app and will raise member enquiries on footpath signage, right of way blockage, fly tipping, litter and other issues I came across. It will be good to go "walkabout" with local Councillors, Council Officers and residents along this route in the near future. 

Walk of Witness - Easter Friday

Shortly after I blogged on my "Vote Labour" poster in my window there was outside the annual Easter "Walk of Witness" by local Churches, who gathered at the Joseph Fry Memorial drinking fountain in Wansted flats.

Merry Christmas to one and all

Merry Christmas folks. Photo Wansted flats 2012.