South Downs Walk: Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea - Saturday 17th October

A 12.5 mile linear stroll along the South Downs in West Sussex this Saturday (17th October), starting in Hassocks and ending
in Shoreham-by-Sea (where we started last month's coastal walk !). A shorter walk of just 5.5 miles is possible, dropping out at Devil's Dyke for the bus to Brighton. This is an exhilarating ramble with a few ups and downs in themorning balanced out with an excellent ridge walk, complete with panoramic views that spread out in all directions and even towards the Isle of Wight
on a clear day ..


Terrain:
Hilly downland with some ups and downs, so mildly energetic in places before lunch (just 3 steady climbs) and easy going in the afternoon along the ridge. Be prepared for mud after any rain ...

Pace:
Moderate yet relaxed pace with frequent stops (especially when going uphill !).
Easy going atmosphere, perhaps not suitable for any impatient walkers ?

Lunch:
We'll stop for a well-earned lunch break with a view at the top of Devil's Dyke.
Either bring your own packed stuff for a picnic or sample the delicacies at the "Devil's Dyke" PH (Vintage Inn), where chef will demonstrate his skill with the microwave. Aiming to get there by around 1 pm.

Shorter Walk Options:
Drop out after 5.5 miles at Devil's Dyke for the devilishly sporadic bus service to the sinfulness of Brighton ...
Bus 77 (not 666 ?) runs back at 1.22 pm and 2.37 pm.

Alternatively, late risers can join us for the afternoon stretch of 7 miles:
Make your own way to Brighton in time to catch Bus 77 which departs outside
the station at 12.57 pm (Stop E) and arrives at Devil's Dyke at 1.16 pm.
(Try the 11.37 am fast train from London Victoria, arriving at Brighton at
 12.28 pm)

Meeting Point:
HASSOCKS station at 10.10 am by Platform 2 exit, where the train arrives from
London.  The leader will be at the station.

Getting There:
Train travellers need to catch the 9.12 am Thameslink service from
LONDON BRIDGE station, destined for Brighton. This service calls at:
East Croydon 9.25 am, Gatwick Airport 9.41 am and arriving at Hassocks station
at 10.06 am.
Train travellers from London Victoria can make their way to East Croydon to
to pick up the above service:
For example, the 9.02 am service from London Victoria (destined for Portsmouth
Harbour & Bognor Regis), stops at Clapham Junction 9.08 am and arrives at
East Croydon at 9.17 am.

Usual train service stuff (which nobody cares about) can be found under:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk

Ticketing:
Day return ticket to "SHOREHAM-BY-SEA", which is further on.
(and not to the other Shoreham in Kent, either ...)
If planning to drop out at Brighton, then its a ticket to here instead.

Getting Back:
Aiming for the 5.42 pm service back from Shoreham-by-Sea station to London
(arriving at London Victoria 7 pm). This service stops at East Croydon 6.42 pm
for services back to London Bridge if preferred.
Direct trains leave every 30 minutes from Shoreham-by-Sea, otherwise additional
services involve changing at Brighton.

For any new folks to CLOG, no need to book - just turn up as you feel like it.
And we go whatever the weather may care to throw at us ... rain or shine ...

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start__dateTime(17th October at 10:10am)

end__dateTime(17th October at 7pm)

Black Mountains trip next weekend 16-18th October Last minute places

There are 4 spaces   ( 3 female  1 male) available at the last minute for the Black Mountains weekend.  The cost is £40 per person for 2 nights (excluding transport )  There is an option to stay another night on Sunday for £15 + a small charge for breakfast

This is a walking weekend staying at an independent hostel below the highest mountain in the Black Mountains  Waun Fach (810 metres (2700ft) We will be walking up the mountains (weather permitting) and elsewhere in the Brecon Beacons.

Accommodation is in dormitory bunks and we will be providing communal meals for breakfast and a packed lunch. The evening meal on Friday and Saturday will be in the Dragons Back Pub 10 minutes walk away (mains from £8.95, real ales etc) This is rough country and you will need  boots and  mountain clothing. The hostel has a dedicated drying room as well as a lounge kitchen and 6 showers.

Transport.

Please note we do not have private transport available so unless you  drive your own car you will need to travel by train. Several people are leaving on the 10.15a.m and 10 45am trains from Paddington to South Wales changing at Newport for Abergavenny and going on to Crickhowell by bus.   It is also possible to travel by the 19.15 train on Friday evening.  We will try to arrange transport from Crickhowell to the hostel (8 miles) but this cannot be guaranteed

There are 4 spaces   ( 3 female  1 male) available at the last minute for the Black Mountains weekend.  The cost is £40 per person for 2 nights (excluding transport )  There is an option to stay another night on Sunday for £15 + a small charge for breakfast

This is a walking weekend staying at an independent hostel below the highest mountain in the Black Mountains  Waun Fach (810 metres (2700ft) We will be walking up the mountains (weather permitting) and elsewhere in the Brecon Beacons.

Accommodation is in dormitory bunks and we will be providing communal meals for breakfast and a packed lunch. The evening meal on Friday and Saturday will be in the Dragons Back Pub 10 minutes walk away (mains from £8.95, real ales etc) This is rough country and you will need  boots and  mountain clothing. The hostel has a dedicated drying room as well as a lounge kitchen and 6 showers.

Transport.

Please note we do not have private transport available so unless you  drive your own car you will need to travel by train. Several people are leaving on the 10.15a.m and 10 45am trains from Paddington to South Wales changing at Newport for Abergavenny and going on to Crickhowell by bus.   It is also possible to travel by the 19.15 train on Friday evening.  We will try to arrange transport from Crickhowell to the hostel (8 miles) but this cannot be guaranteed

There are 4 spaces   ( 3 female  1 male) available at the last minute for the Black Mountains weekend.  The cost is £40 per person for 2 nights (excluding transport )  There is an option to stay another night on Sunday for £15 + a small charge for breakfast

This is a walking weekend staying at an independent hostel below the highest mountain in the Black Mountains  Waun Fach (810 metres (2700ft) We will be walking up the mountains (weather permitting) and elsewhere in the Brecon Beacons.

Accommodation is in dormitory bunks and we will be providing communal meals for breakfast and a packed lunch. The evening meal on Friday and Saturday will be in the Dragons Back Pub 10 minutes walk away (mains from £8.95, real ales etc) This is rough country and you will need  boots and  mountain clothing. The hostel has a dedicated drying room as well as a lounge kitchen and 6 showers.

Transport.

Please note we do not have private transport available so unless you  drive your own car you will need to travel by train. Several people are leaving on the 10.15a.m and 10 45am trains from Paddington to South Wales changing at Newport for Abergavenny and going on to Crickhowell by bus.   It is also possible to travel by the 19.15 train on Friday evening.  We will try to arrange transport from Crickhowell to the hostel (8 miles) but this cannot be guaranteed

Travel back on Sunday evening  (but note that this coincides with a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal ending in Cardiff) or on Monday.

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Photos from Robin Hoods Bay trip last August

A few photos from the Robin Hood's Bay trip at the end of August. Robin Hoods Bay is situated on the Yorkshire coast, between Whitby and Scarborough with its narrow streets and quaint cottages and houses. The old village nestles in a narrow ravine at the edge of a wide sweeping bay, which is bounded on the north by Bay Ness and on the south by the lofty cliffs of Ravenscar.

Where we stayed was a short walk from the fossil beach, ghost tours and the coffin shaped house, cafes and pubs.  

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Rock around the Weald walk - Saturday 24 October 13 miles

This is a walk around sandstone outcrops in the Weald. It's a linear walk from Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge via a very circuitous route ending with a bus or heritage train back to Tunbridge Wells where there is a beer and cider festival if you wish to stay on.

Moderate pace not suitable for slow walkers. No rock climbing is involved on this walk but there are some hills to climb and some great views.

Bring a packed lunch for a picnic. Afternoon pub stop. At the end there is a real ale and cider festival at Tunbridge Wells West Station with a barbecue serving local sausages and burgers into the evening. Admission is free and there's also entertainment of the usual variety.

Look out for other Cloggies about 9am at Charing Cross Station near the National Railways ticket office. Take the 9.15am train from Charing X to Tunbridge Wells; this train calls at Waterloo East at 9.18am. The train is due to arrive 10.09am at Tunbridge Wells. Alternatively take the 9.03am train from Cannon St to Tunbridge Wells; this train calls at London Bridge 9.07am and New X 9.13am, arriving Tunbridge Wells 9.57am.

We end at Groombridge where you can get a bus or heritage train back to Tunbridge Wells. Buses back to Tunbridge Wells depart Groombridge at 5.09pm, 5.48pm and 6.46pm. There's a nice pub on the village green (The Crown) if you have to wait for the bus. Alternatively you can get the Spa Valley Railway back to Tunbridge Wells. Heritage diesel trains will be running into the evening. There are regular trains from Tunbridge Wells back to London every 15-30 minutes.

Meeting point:

Meet Tunbridge Wells station under the picture of "Toad Rock" at 10.10am. You will find this halfway along the platform under a bridge.

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start__dateTime(24th October at 10:10am)

end__dateTime(24th October at 6pm)

Photos from last Saturdays walk in the Chilterns

The indian summer continues - gorgeous weather on last weeks circular walk from Gerrards Cross

​

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Chiltern Hills Walk: Beaconsfield to Saunderton - Saturday 10th October

You're welcome to join us on a muddy walk this Saturday 10th October in order
to explore more of the Chiltern landscape in Buckinghamshire. A 12.5 mile
linear walk starting in Beaconsfield and ending in Saunderton, with varied
picturesque scenery and cracking good views over the colours of early autumn.

Route:
Leaving Beaconsfield station, we'll head through the wealthy suburbs and into
the wooded countryside that surrounds Forty Green. An area once known as the
scene for skirmishes between Royalists and Cavaliers in the English Civil War,
as well as location shooting for "Midsomer Murders", we'll enjoy wide sweeping
views over the Wye Valley and far beyond to Surrey before heading to the pretty
village of Penn with its commons and duckpond for an early lunch stop after
3.5 miles ...

After lunch and the twitching of net curtains in the village, we'll head into
King's Wood, following the track through the beeches as it snakes its way
downhill and carves its wooded way through the ever encroaching housing of
High Wycombe. This green thread leads us uphill and over the fields to Four
Ashes, before dropping down to the grassy meadows of Hughenden Valley.
We'll pass Hughenden Manor, once the home of Benjamin Disraeli, one of the
most popular Prime Ministers under Queen Victoria and now buried in St Michael
& All Angels church within the grounds of Hughenden Park. An enjoyable climb
uphill through the woods then takes us to the "Dizzy" heights of Downley Common
along footpaths once walked by him. Dropping down again across the sloping
meadows overlooking the wide valley, with glorious views to West Wycombe
and its notorious caves, the scene for some rather naughty goings on of the
18th C. Hellfire Club. Then, its uphill to the Dashwood Mausoleum for a stop
and stare over the surrounding scenery before passing 18th C. St Lawrence's
church. The remaining 2.5 miles is along a quiet track following the ridge
with more woodland and rural views before the final descent down to Saunderton
station and the train back to London ...

Terrain:
Hilly and muddy, with several ups and downs but only some minor steep bits.
Those expecting clean walking boots at the end might be sorely disappointed ...

Pace:
Moderate yet relaxed pace with frequent stops (especially when going uphill !).
Easy going atmosphere, perhaps not suitable for any impatient walkers ?

Lunch:
Stopping in Penn village after 12 noon, either bring your own packed lunch
or get something from the 16th C. "Red Lion" PH. We'll stop for around an hour
before getting on with the remaining 9 miles ...

Late risers can join us at the pub but you will need to make your own way
there ...
Try the 11.36 am service from London Marylebone to High Wycombe, arriving
at 11.59 am. Then catch Arriva bus service 31 to Penn, which departs at
12.15 pm and arrives at Penn at 12.40 pm (buses run every 20 mins).

Shorter Walk Options:
3.5 miles to Penn or 5.5 miles to the outskirts of High Wycombe - both options
entail catching Arriva bus service 31 to High Wycombe station.
7 miles to Hughenden plus an extra 2 miles self guided to High Wycombe station
Or do your own thing and drop out anywhere armed with O/S map Explorer 172.
Or just drop in at lunch time as mentioned above ...

Meeting Point:
BEACONSFIELD station at 10.35 am (by ticket office, over the footbridge) and
we'll go soon after the train arrives from London.
I will meet you at the station.

Getting There:
Train travellers need to catch the 10.09 am Chiltern Railways fast service
from LONDON MARYLEBONE station, destined for Bicester North.
This service arrives at Beaconsfield at 10.35 am.

Usual train service stuff (which nobody reads) can be found under:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk

Ticketing:
Day return ticket to "SAUNDERTON", which is further down the same train line.
(If planning to drop out at High Wycombe, then its a ticket to here instead)

Getting Back:
Aiming for the 5.59 pm departure from Saunderton station back to London,
stopping at Beaconsfield 6.12 pm (for any car drivers) and arriving back
at London Marylebone at 6.47 pm. Hourly service or so ...
The "Golden Cross" PH is a few minutes walk away for those in need of
refreshments.

For any new folks to CLOG, no need to book - just turn up as you feel like it.
And we go whatever the weather may care to throw at us ... rain or shine ...

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start__dateTime(10th October at 10:09am)

end__dateTime(10th October at 6:47pm)

Highlights from a year of various clog events

A slideshow of photos from different events and activities (walking, cycling, mountain biking, zipwire, sailing etc).

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Leith Hill walk next Sunday 11 October

"Leith Hill, Leith Hill; so good they climbed it twice"

Sunday 11 October

A small group of us are climbing Leith Hill twice in one day. The top of the tower on Leith Hill is the highest point in South East England (just over 1000 feet above sea level). Supposedly you can see 14 counties and with a telescope you can make out the English Channel and the clockface on Big Ben

This is a figure-of-8 walk climbing the hill twice from different directions. To make it a bit easier, it's only about 7 miles and we're using a minibus to get to the bottom rather than having to walk from the nearest station (which is why we need to know if you want to join us). But you do need to be fairly fit and be up for climbing it twice. Moderate pace; not suitable for slow walkers.

So why do it?

a)      Autumn colour (the trees are already starting to turn)

b)      Trees. Plenty of them. An arboretum, conifers and a landslip full of more trees

c)       High sandy open heathland with a view to show how high you've climbed (twice)

d)      Very steep steps and slopes (good aerobic exercise)

The walk starts outside Leith Hill Place (the home of Vaughan Williams). It follows a woodland trail past the walled garden and an avenue of limes. We go up through the woods to the top of the hill where we will stop for coffee at the refreshment kiosk

You have the option of climbing some more steps up to the top of Leith Hill Tower for the view. This costs £1.50 (or is free if you're a member of the National Trust)

Then we go down again exploring the landslip of Frank's Wood and Mosses Wood

Then we climb back up past the highest cricket pitch in the South East where we will stop for lunch. Bring a packed lunch for a picnic

We continue climbing on open heathland past the source of the River Tillingbourne to reach the top again by a different route

We will have an ice cream stop and you have the option of running up the tower again if you wish!

Then we go down again following the Greensand Way to the rhododendron wood and past Darwin's Wormstone (he was related to Vaughan Williams). We end at Leith Hill Place where we started

If you wish to go on this walk you need to contact the organiser as there are limited places.

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start__dateTime(11th October at 9am)

end__dateTime(11th October at 5pm)

New year trip to Andalucia 29th December to 5th January 2016

TO ALL SUN/ SPANISH CULTURE/ WALKING(of Course) SEEKING CLOGGIES

Come and join us for an exciting trip to Andalucia where we will be combining sightseeing in this lovely part of Spain with walking!

Dates: 29th December - 5th of January 2016
OUTLINE OF THE TRIP:
- Return flights to Malaga: Ask me for details
- Visiting:
*** Malaga: birth place of Picasso with museum dedicated to his paintings
*** Parque Natural de el Torcal, 55km north of Malaga with various trails. This is a massive high plateau of glaciated limestone with some rock scuptures.
*** possible Nerja with its caves, to be discussed
*** Ronda with its River Gorge el Tajo, you can also walk down the River on donkey tracks
http://www.andalucia.com/ronda/home.htm
*** Granada of course with the Alhambra.
The above is still open to discussion
***Accommodation will be in small hotels.
BUDGET:I think between the flights, the accommodation, and food, it would be prudent to budget around £700/ £800 for the trip.

Clog members only but people can join clog if they want to go on this trip.

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start__dateTime(29th December 2015 at 9am)

end__dateTime(5th January2016 at 6pm)

Last weeks stroll along the West Sussex coast

A few photos from last weeks 13.5 mile linear stroll in the glorious Indian summer weather along the West Sussex coast, starting in Shoreham-by-Sea and ending in Littlehampton 

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BEDLAM IN SURREY – Sunday 4th October

A reminder for this 8 mile circular walk for art lovers, from Guildford. 

We will visit the Watts Gallery in the village of Compton, dedicated to the art of the Victorian George Frederic Watts, but which is also featuring a special exhibition of works by Richard Dadd: http://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/ . A couple of chapels will also be visited.

Dadd was a gifted artist, also of the Victorian era, who murdered his father and was committed to Bedlam mental hospital, and later Broadmoor. However he continued to paint, creating amazingly detailed and imaginative works, including Shakespearian scenes. Gallery entrance is £7.50, or £3.75 for students and Art Fund members. (No reduction for seniors, and tickets cannot be booked in advance.)

A snack lunch can be taken at the Gallery Tea Shop, famous for its Welsh Rarebit (and variations thereof), or bring your own picnic. (Tables cannot be reserved.)

Itinerary.
From Guildford, we will climb up onto the Hog's Back before dropping down to the Gallery, spending about two hours there. We will then visit the Art Nouveau Watts Chapel nearby before returning to Guildford through Loseley Park and along the River Wey. Here we can have a look at the ruined St. Catherine's Chapel (painted by Turner), on its little hill overlooking Guildford. Finally there is an optional pub stop in Guildford (probably the riverside White House).

Catch the 10:00 from Waterloo, arriving Guildford 10:40, where I will meet you. Returning, if not stopping at the pub, you are likely to catch the 17:35 from Guildford, arriving Waterloo 18:14. (Trains every 30 mins.)

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start__dateTime(4th October at 10am)

end__dateTime(4th October at 18:14pm)

Potential New Members Walk

You are welcome to join us for a short walk along the River Thames on 19 September.

Meet at Ravenscourt Park tube exit at 10.30 to make our way from there to the river. Ravenscourt Park is on the District Line (frequent trains going to Ealing Broadway or Richmond) and is just one stop beyond Hammersmith.

We will then follow a pretty section of the Thames Path (along the north bank) for about 4 miles in the morning to Kew, where we will have lunch in a pub or packed lunch for those who prefer. 

We then walk about 3 miles in the afternoon to Richmond along the Thames Path (south bank). The path on the south bank has a woodland feel to it in contrast to the garden feel of the north bank.

In Richmond we will find a pub and for anyone who feels like it a quick evening meal before heading home. 

Richmond has fast trains back to Waterloo and is on the Overground to North London as well as being on the District Line back to Central London. It is in Zone 4 so an Oyster or Zones 1-4 Travelcard will cover the day.

This walk is ideal for potential new members to try us out. We hope you can come along! Existing members are also welcome of course.

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