3¼ miles. Leader: Geoff Fairbairn.

Our pre Christmas gathering was as usual by kind invitation of Hazel & Roger Pawley at their Sydenham Hill abode. After sandwiches and mince pies, nine walkers took a walk around the area which due to Cox’s Walk Bridge being closed in Sydenham Hill Wood was half-a-mile longer than the planned two-and-three-quarters. The group enjoyed a good view of the steeple of Sir Christopher Wren’s City of London church of St Antholin – which from Sydenham Hill was unexpected. Back at the Pawleys’ a great tea was enjoyed in company with eleven non-walkers. Many thanks again to Hazel, and her helpers.

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3¼ miles. Leader: Pat Nichols.

Six proud walkers gathered at Hayes Common to be guided by Pat down to Coney Hall Recreation Ground where the Greenwich Meridian Line was crossed from east to west. Onwards past St John’s Church to Sparrows Den where tea and cake was enjoyed. The return route brought the party past the iron-age (maybe) fort on West Wickham Common.

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A lovely 3-mile walk in dappled sunshine through the woods at High Elms Country Park. Five of us started in Farnborough Village and walked through the churchyard of St Giles’ Church and then through the fields to see the graves of Lord Avebury and his wife. We finished with tea and cake at the café in High Elms. 

3 miles. Leader: Pat Nichols.

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We gathered for our traditional pre-Christmas gathering at the Pawleys’ and nine walkers preceded it with a walk around the Sydenham Hill and Crystal Palace area. After passing the former Upper Sydenham Station the party walked a short stretch through Hillcrest Wood along the trackbed of the Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway. The party once again ascended Sydenham Hill to enter Crystal Palace Park past the caravan and motorhome campsite (who knew?) and the old exhibition aquarium. After walking the length of the upper terrace Crystal Palace (“Low Level”) Station was passed with the intention of strolling among the dinosaurs, however much of the park was fenced off and so that expedition was abandoned. The route brought the group around Charleville Circus and on through Sydenham Wells Park. A series of paths through Sydenham Hill estate brought the party back to the flat. Seven non-walkers were found waiting at the flat where Hazel, assisted earlier by Jan and Pam, had prepared a wonderful repast. Sadly, Roger was not well enough to join us.

3½ miles. Leader: Geoff Fairbairn.

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