In common with 2007 and 2008, March 1st was sunny, bright and quite warm where sheltered. This leg of the Loop took me south west from Bromley, through Croydon to the very borders of Surrey. My journey around London nearly came to end permanently on the Croydon Road in Hayes when I tripped up a kerb and fell into the road. I quickly got up and sat on a nearby wall, but I probably scared the driver of the oncoming car about 200 metres away, who was kind enough to slow down and check I was ok. Some sixth (common) sense told me not to walk along this bit of road when the cars were close or I'd been a goner. I ended up with a bruised bum and knee and a nasty fright.
This section of the route is very well-wooded which was a bit of a shame, as I would have prefered an open landscape to enjoy the lovely sunshine. It was very muddy underfoot and very hilly which made walking quite difficult at times, you end up with a gait like those cross-country skiers trying to stop your feet from slipping. Woods also don't make for good photos as everywhere looks the same. With the exception of one longish stretch of road, it was footpaths all the way. The Loop crossed the Greenwich Meridian in Coney Hall so passes into the western hemisphere until the very last leg in eight years time.
The first four miles were undulating, woodland paths through West Wickham Common, Spring Park, where Bromley ends and Croydon begins, Threehalfpenny Wood and Kennel Wood to the village of Upper Shirley, where I had a brief glimpse of the windmill. The Loop then goes very steeply uphill into the Addington Hills, the largest area of heathland left in London. At the top of the escarpment is the most fantastic view of London, which surely has to be the highlight of the walk so far. I knew it was going to be good as the OS marked it with a viewpoint symbol, and it would have taken my breath away, if I had any left from the climb up.
I could see the Millennium Dome and Canary Wharf over 10 miles and the little Essex hills where I started this walk four years ago. Central London was blocked out by the ridge of hills in south London, but the Gherkin,, Tower 42 and the GPO were visible. Out west I could see Wembley, Harrow-on-the Hill and the grey lumps of the Chilterns. Windsor Castle probably was visible with the aid of binoculars as it was a very clear day. I could make out most of the Capital Ring route I walked last autumn. It was a pretty amazing site and well worth a visit. The photo doesn't really do it justice.
After a little rest enjoying the view, I continued on over the Tramlink track to Heathfield Gardens, which probably look lovely in summer, up yet another bloody hill to Bramley Bank Nature Reserve, owned by the London Wildlife Trust. After a brief excursion off route down a muddy bank on my bum, I stopped for lunch on a sunny bench in a nice grassy ride, before yomping up yet another woody hill. The next half a mile was via a series of twittens through a housing estate to the gateway into Selsdon Wood, owned by the National Trust.
The final two miles of this leg run along the borders of Surrey and were very rural, crossing just one road. It went up and down yet another hill and was extremely boggy in parts. The combination of hills and mud were very tiring and I was graeteful to see the bus stop when I arrived at Hamsey Green. As if to make up for all my hard work, the walking gods granted me a very speedy journey home, making all my connections with very little waiting, to enjoy my birthday tea.Time for leg 5hr 16m Distance 10 miles Time for trip 9hr 12m
Walk log
Fares this leg £15.30
Section 04 Essentials
Section Map
Directions
Distance and time 9 miles 5hr 15m
Walking conditions: Mostly level; a few longish, steep slopes, stiles and kissing gates; some small flights of steps. Some sections are suitable for the less mobile and pushchairs: from Hayes Station to Point 3; Point 7 to Point 8.
