From Grove Park to Streatham
It has been a few months since we have been walking. We have both been busy, but agreed to walk on Sunday the 23rd November to walk route 3 and possible route 4.
The weather the Saturday before was awful, with heavy rain for most of the day. Looking at the weather forecast showed there was a good chance of rain on the Sunday. There was an exchange of WhatsApp messages discussing if we should call it off. Reading the route guides some of the route could be muddy.
But we decided to go ahead. And we were both so glad that we did.
Normal routine. My wife is the taxi, pick up Chris. We are dropped off at Twyford station. We had planned to catch the 8:47. Time for me to get a coffee. But the train is delayed (again). We eventually Catch it at 8:56.
Pleasant ride into London and arrive at Paddington by 9:30. A quick hop on the underground (Bakerloo Line) to Charing Cross. More coffee and then board the waiting train to Grove Park.
Capital Ring – Walk 3
We head off in search of where we had finished walk 2 back in August. The weather has improved. The sun is out and it is not raining. We follow the roads, then a path running besides a small brook until we get back to the start.
We follow the road and cross a rail bridge with great views of the city. It also provides views of the large Hither Green Cemetery. It was hard taking a photograph due to the fencing on the bridge to show how large this cemetery is.
The route follows the roads for some way until we enter Beckenham Place Park. The park is a pleasant relief allowing us to get off the roads. We walk through the woods to the sounds of Rose-Ringed Parakeets squawking in the tress and the sight of squirrels chasing each other. I think I counted 8 squirrels at one stage – all running around the trees.
The noise from the Parakeets was something that would follow us for the majority of today’s two walks.
The park is large and is home to a very impressive mansion – Beckenham Place Mansion. There is a small market, with people selling artisan goods. The park is quite large and took us a little time to walk through. This was the area the guide said could be a bit muddy. But it was fine.
There was a circus set up in the park. Which lead Chris to tell one of his awful dad jokes.
How do you kill a circus?
You go for the juggler
See what I have to put up with!
Shortly after leaving the park we came across Kent County Cricket Grounds. This had different sporting facilities tagged onto the sides. Good to see children outside taking part in sport.
The walk continues along the roads with the odd detour through green spaces and woods. There was a painted pavilion in one of the playing fields.
We could see the radio mast from a few streets away, but it never seemed to be getting closer.
Penge High Street has a couple of old rail bridges. I expected to have to go over the rail line, climbing steps over a bridge. But we were surprised to realise that the road and path went underneath the rail lines.
We were now in Crystal Palace Park. Another market with street vendors selling over priced stuff (£15 for a jar of honey and £7 for a sausage roll). We went to find the much talked about dinosaurs. These were built in 1852. Inaccurate by modern standards, were designed and sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins under the scientific direction of Sir Richard Owen. But unfortunately this part of the park was not accessible – I think the dinosaurs are having a make over.
We did come across a statue of Guy the Gorilla which had an uncanny resemblance to Chris, who was desperate for his lunch.
We stopped for lunch. We had both brought pasties with us. So we found a park bench. A quick selfie (just to prove to Chris’s brother that he does have a walking companion) and a much needed lunch. We discussed what to do next. We had reached the end of the first walk by 13:00 and both felt good. So se decided to carry on and do the next section.
Walking Stats
Time: 2 hours 36 Minutes
Distance: 7.7 Miles
Capital Ring – Walk 4
It took us a while to find how to get to Crystal Palace train station, the start off the next walk. On our way we passed the Athletics Stadium and National Sports Centre. There were a group of people playing beach volley ball.
We started route 4, which starts off by following local roads. But soon the roads turned steep, climbing more that 200 feet in less that ½ a mile. But this elevation provided some great views.
The route carries on. Alternating between road walking and walking through parks and wooded areas.
We entered Norwood Park, another climb following a winding path through the woodland until you emerge into the gardens of Norwood Grove House.
The path is now all off road as we made our way to Streatham Common. The last section walks across the common. We came across one of the largest cattle trough’s I have ever seen. You have to question when the last cow took a drink out of this trough.
Down the hill across Streatham Common into the setting sun. The last landmark was the Streatham War Memorial which look resplendent in the setting sun.
We followed the route through some back streets to find Streatham Train Station. End of the walk and time for a beer in the aptly names The Railway pub.
Walking Stats
Time: 1 hours 27 Minutes
Distance: 4.05 Miles
Final Thoughts
We both agree that we were glad we were not put off by the rain the day before. We both enjoyed the walk and the company. Doing the second walk was tough because of some of the steps hills at the start.
In total we have walked 29.87 miles over 10 hours and 13 minutes. I think, at 11.75 miles, this has been our longest walk so far.
So that makes 6 legs down and only 9 left to do.