Heathrow Hikers - Outdoor Group for West London

From the Editor
Report - Cotswolds Walk
Update - Heathrow Hikers' Bear
Report - Downs Link Cycle Ride
Internet Humour - Julian Beever (pavement artist)
Report - Shropshire Hills Weekend
Contact / Submit details

July was without doubt one of our busiest months yet, both in terms of trips and interest from new members. The highlight was our week in Norway which will feature on its own in a special edition of Compass (due soon). July's other trips feature in this issue.

I'm pleased to welcome back Zhang from his recent trip to the Alps, a location we are considering for a future Heathrow Hikers jaunt. No doubt Zhang will have some amazing photos of the trip.

Our relationship with Backabush Xplorers continues to strengthen, offering members of both groups a huge choice of events. Geoff still has limited spaces available on some of his trips so get in touch soon if you would like to attend one. Like previous years, Geoff will be overseas from November to next Easter and I'd like to wish him a safe and happy trip to Africa.

We are currently planning events for Autumn and Winter. As always if you have any suggestions let us know. Many of you have asked to see more day events, particularly new members, and you should begin to see more of these appearing.

Enjoy the issue.

At 9:00am on a sunny Sunday morning I met with Catherine, Chaya, Eilin, Gillian, Jerome, Kalima, Rita, Sally, Sandra & Tasha. We piled into the minibus, Kalima bagging one of the front seats and therefore becoming navigator. A short drive to Greenford to collect Etiennette and Geoff and we were then ready make our way to Stanton, a beautiful little village in The Cotswolds.

To reach Stanton we passed through Broadway, a delightful town full of honey coloured sandstone houses and shops. Finally we arrived at Stanton to find yet more sandstone houses but no shops. Stanton does not attract the tourists like Broadway does and as a result you feel you have the place to yourself.

We began our walk, heading south to Stanway picking up the Cotswolds Way and continuing south to Beckbury. With good views of the fields into the distance we decided to stop for a short break. Once some of us had had a snack we were ready to press on, heading first East and then North East, passing through Stumps Cross, Taddington and some poppy fields.

By now I began to face questions regarding the whereabouts of the promised pubs. Whilst Stanton has a fine pub, none of the other villages we passed through had either a pub or simple shop.

Continuing North, we reached Shenberrow Hill and then somewhere close to Manor Farm, like an oasis in the desert we stumbled across a farm selling refreshments. Sitting under large parasols tucking into cream teas and homemade cake, we agreed how civilised it all was. Hunger pains and thirst sated we felt ready to complete the final few miles back to Stanton where we were greeted by a cricket match. The home team were apparently losing so we decided not to stop and watch. I think some of the girls would have liked to have the opportunity to meet the local cricketers, the idea of being a country wife living in such a beautiful village no doubt appealing.

With everyone seated in the minibus and none of us desperate to race home to London, we decided to visit Bourton-on-the-Water for a drink in one of the local pubs. It felt wonderful to be sitting outside the pub in the sun, watching the world go by. Even the hayfever I was suffering from couldn't ruin what had been a good day. Finally it was time to be thinking about heading home, stopping briefly for a group photo by one of the bridges.

Group Photo at Bourton-on-the-Water - Photo by Gary Box

Dropping Geoff off at High Wycombe and Etiennette in Greenford, the rest of us arrived back at Hammersmith at 10:30pm. It had been a good day trip and we hope to organise more in the future.

Article submitted by Gary Box

Unfortunately Heathrow Bear remains in the Isle of Wight despite two people visiting the cache since he was placed there. Hopefully he will start moving again during August!

Article submitted by Gary Box

This particular Sunday we made our way to Bramley, near Guildford which was to be the start point for the cycle ride. The Downs Link Path is a bridleway that runs from Bramley to Shoreham by Sea. The route was mostly flat and easy to follow. Having said this, looking at the track later on the GPS we did leave the path briefly. The route starts in a wooded area, the tree cover offering some protection from the heat of the day.

The constant pedalling had brought on a thirst and the sight of the Bax Castle pub was very welcome. This 15th century pub is in the tiny village of Two Mile Ash, not far from Horsham. After a pint in the garden it was time to resume the ride. The path follows two disused railway lines in places and it wasn't long before we came to the old East Grinstead station and an old railway carriage that is now a museum.

Old Railway Carriage near East Grinstead - Photo by Gary Box

Making good progress, the views opened out over the South Downs. You could almost smell the sea as mile after mile passed by. As we entered Henfield we stopped at a map to check how far along the Downs Link we were. Satisfied that we were making good time it was decided to stop at The Old Railway Tavern for another drink.

The Old Railway Tavern in Henfield - Photo by Gary Box

Back on the bikes we made the final dash to Shoreham by Sea where we spent a short time exploring the town and seafront before thinking about our journey home. We boarded a train home, the cycles stored in the guard's carriage. A couple of changes later we finally arrived at Guildford and cycled the short distance back to the car in the dark.

Article submitted by Gary Box

Last month we highlighted the work of '3D' pavement artist Julian Beever. Here are two more examples of his work.

Having never visited the Shropshire Hills I was looking forward to this weekend. We were staying at the Bridges YHA hostel which has probably one of the most helpful and knowledgeable wardens I have ever met.

Saturday morning over breakfast I had a great chat with a couple of Everton fans who were leaving that day and a couple of guys from Leicester who were staying the entire weekend.

Once breakfast was over we began a Long Mynd walk only to abandon it once we realised we were very close to one of a series of Multi Geocaches. Fabio quickly took to this new sport, finding many of the caches. He's since bought his own GPS and has even begun to look at caches in his native Brazil. The multicache instructions did state that the task was difficult and even advised that it be done by mountain bike.

Each cache seemed to be hidden some distance from a path, forcing us through high grasses and fields of heather that were often waterlogged. During the afternoon with some of the caches found we decided to head back to the hostel and change into some dry footwear.

Unfortunately the poor quality of some of the very minor roads resulted in some damage to my car and due to the oil leak I had to nurse it back to the hostel and call the AA.

We decided to have our evening meal at the hostel and spent much of the time chatting to the guys from Leicester about their recent Pennine Way trip and then joined them in the local pub over a pint.

On Sunday we decided to try and complete the multicache, gradually finding one after another until we thought we had found them all. The devious person who had hidden these had decided to add a final twist and the new final cache could not be found in the thick heather with the time ticking on.

We decided it was time to head home. We had walked miles in the Shropshire Hills and yet had not completed any of it's classic walks. You can be sure it's an area we will be visiting again.

Article submitted by Gary Box

If you have any articles or images you wish to contribute to the next issue of Compass please email them to Gary.

Please try and submit articles as early as possible but not later than the 3rd week of the month if you wish it to appear in the subsequent issue.

Thanks.